Uskche two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Uskche here.

I left the pretty town of Usk on quiet roads up and then down through a steep sunken lane tree tunnel. There was a bridge over the busy A449 dual carriageway. I completely missed the footpath that's right next to the road at Cwmbir, but the gate at the top had a lot of barbed wire and was locked and overgrown anyway, so DON’T attempt that footpath. The tarmac finished here and it became a stoney muddy lane.
At Springdale Farm the route had been diverted slightly, there were new kissing gates, I think they are facilitating a nature reserve. I emerged through a short unsigned, overgrown footpath at Coed-cwnwr Farm.
In order to follow the public right of way at Yew Tree Farm, I had to climb over a gate because it was overgrown, and opposite there was absolutely no way through the hedge into the next field, so I had to walk up the road to Ty Wilson and back to the field path parallel to the road. I’m not sure how good this path often is, but it was fine just after it had been harvested. You might need to stay on the road alongside which is an easy alternative.
I was starting to see the forest ahead which I was looking forward to. At Rhydwern Farm towards White Horse Farm the holloway going uphill had a well-established stream running down the middle if it. I guess it's possible this might flood in bad weather. I wouldn't enjoy going downhill here. There was a suspect looking water building at the top and above here it was dryer, but with bigger rocks, almost like a staircase.
At Whitehouse Farm (posh) the going got a lot easier. On the road just to the north of Buckwell I met a council worker repairing the stiles on a footpath that would work well to cut the corner on this route. We had a nice chat about council priorities for the different footpath repairs. Soon after there were Road Closed signs but it was fine for walking.
Then there was a very narrow fairly steep and muddy bridleway going straight up the hill after Bluebell Farm with not much room if I’d had to pass horses! Near the top I saw the only other people I've seen or spoken to on this walk so far, two horse riders, luckily not coming down this track!
The forest was lovely, the paths are many and diverse (some a little indistinct) and aren't always accurately mapped. GPS helps, so do the numbered waymarks. I had to make a diversion at Five Paths because of a temporary closure of paths.
Leaving the forest there was a Closed Footpath sign, referring to the short but vital path from New Mill to FB. I rashly followed it anyway and there were several very large steps where the ground under each step had worn away. Then, beyond the narrow foot bridge, the path was very overgrown by Pandy Farm. It's not even a public right of way. I gave up in the end. It was bracken to head height but that wasn't the problem, there were also brambles constantly holding onto my clothing, and it became impassable. I followed a few lanes to get back on track.
At Rocks Cottage it felt as though I was walking through someone's private drive and through their garden, but then it became a woodland walk next to the river, before a large stone stile took me into a field, initially with no visible footpath. This riverside section was really very nice, but I eventually left the calming friendly river and followed a quiet road around Maes-y-gwenith. Then I climbed through a really quite wild, verdant forest, steeply uphill, with lots of ferns and moss and fallen trees, towards a big field with a wind turbine in it. The exit from the woods was completely blocked by a fallen tree, with nettles over growing it. Now the fun really began. I pushed through. There was no footpath apparent in the field just stubble from the harvest. It was difficult to cross now but must have been impossible a few weeks ago. The farmer at (I think) Coombe Farm has completely obliterated the footpaths and the gateways with crops, ploughing, pheasant breeding, and deliberately neglected fallen trees, new fencing and hedges across public right of way gaps, and a stile at the end of the field which was extremely difficult and actually dangerous, leaning back, for a short person. I will be reporting all this! I would suggest the long way round the road here until the farmer is dealt with!
Shirenewton was a lovely place, with a desi pub that doesn't open until 5, but I was running so late I managed a swift drink there. The last road walk was kind of welcoming after my struggles, even though my feet were a bit sore by now. There were a few drivers around but they were all very considerate, despite it being rush hour. There had been occasional nice views towards the Severn, ever since the unfriendly farmer.
I headed down through the lovely town of Chepstow, under the old town gate and down the main shopping street, and turned off to go under the subway to the station.
Well, that was a bit of an adventure! I would say for the most part it was a great route, and I had been hoping to snail it. I have made adjustments to get around the various problems, and uploaded an alternative route.

October 2022. Direction: Chepstow to Usk.

This is a very scenic route, with miles and miles of lanes, fields and woodlands. The lanes are mostly back lanes with very little traffic. The signage is fairly good, but there are several places where the path is hard to see and through the Wentwood stretch, I ended up zig-zagging my way along the forest tracks, as I could find the direct path that goes more or less straight through the forest. There are also some lovely green lanes along the way, which double up as streams in wet weather, but not too wet the day I went. This is a 5-star route for scenery and solitude, but it lost a star for me for the excess miles trying the find the right ways.

Photos 1 & 2 - Typical "back" lanes between Chepstow and Shirenewton
Photos 3, 4 & 5 - Views around the Cribau Mill area
Photo 6 - Wentwood
Photo 7 - The green lane that leads on to Red Hill on the way into Usk.

This is a lovely walk: lanes, woodland and fields. Paths are mostly well-marked and easy to navigate.

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