A map is essential for this walk, as there is very little signage to follow - nothing at all between Caldicot and the houses on the edge of Penhow and a little sporadic for the stretch between there and where the route joins the Usk Valley Walk. From the point where the route joins the Usk Valley Walk at the start of the descent down the hill, it`s easy to follow and well signed, with some stunning views across the Usk Valley itself, when you get out into the open fields. The lane just after Little Barn (after the Slade Wood and subsequent fields section) was closed to traffic, due to subsidence after recent floods....

Paul Chilcott

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. 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. 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. Leaving the forest there was a Closed Footpath sign, referring to the short but vital path from New Mill to FB. Then, beyond the narrow foot bridge, the path was very overgrown by Pandy Farm. 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. There was no footpath apparent in the field just stubble from the harvest. 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....

Mary Oz

A fabulous walk with 3 distinct sections - a long stretch along the Mon & Brec canal from Llanfoist to Goytre Wharf, then a middle section through fields and lanes and finally a few miles along the Usk Valley Walk right into the town of Usk. Excellent walking all the way, with a cafe at Goytre Wharf before leaving the canal path or a lovely pub in the village of Nantyderry as stop-off points....

Paul Chilcott

The route follows a right of way from just off Bridge 81 of the Mon & Brec canal through the fields to the main A4042 road. I assume this small detour was intended to take in a cafe on the main road in Llanover, before returning to the canal, but as the cafe was permanently closed in 2022, it`s now a bit pointless, so may as well just continue along the canal path straight through to Goytre Wharf....

Paul Chilcott

A fine walk through varied countryside including woodland, fields, country lanes, the Mon & Brec Canal and the River Usk. After the initial woods on leaving Abersychan, the route follows Folly Lane (with the Pontypool Folly close by on the top of the ridge), before descending down the old roman road (there are some stretches with cobble stones still in place, but in most places the stones are loose and it can be tricky under foot) into Mamhilad. After a short section along the Mon & Brec Canal, the path then led through fields, although some of the styles here were not easy to locate, and some were in poor condition....

Paul Chilcott

After a couple of weeks of dry weather, there were still some very muddy stretches along the way, especially between Granary Farm and Sor Brook. I was also challenged by the farmer at Bittia Farm regarding the path through the farm back to the lane, but he was very courteous about it and I think he just wanted to make the point....

Paul Chilcott

Ends with a pleasant stroll through Pontypool Park, past the famous rugby ground and into the town of Pontypool....

grifftinfoilhat

This is a very scenic route, with miles and miles of lanes, fields and woodlands. 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....

Paul Chilcott

A fine walk through fields and lanes, and then through the lovely Lady Hill and Goats woods about a mile or so north of Usk town. Not always easy to follow the footpaths through the fields, but worth persevering with....

Paul Chilcott

Also, when you get to Gwehelog, the path is blocked by a gate covered in barbed wire so a pleasant detour through the village is required....

grifftinfoilhat

Leaving Raglan, the walk was mainly through fields but as you approach Usk you pass through some lovely woodland areas....

grifftinfoilhat

3) The UVW markers follow the road between Chapel Cottage and Cat's Ash, but I used a path taking a more direct route (not marked but well-trodden) - shown on this route. In wet conditions it may be better to stay on the road.. Follow this path down the slope to the road (just below the pylon); then take the path across the road, which joins the UVW....

MaddyT

1) At the western end of Slade Wood (near Caldicot), the path from the end of the gravel track to the field edge is marked on the Landranger maps, but not Explorer.....

MaddyT

3) The Usk Valley Walk follows the road between Chapel Cottage and Cat's Ash, but there's a path taking a more direct route (not marked but well-trodden). In wet conditions it may be better to stay on the road....

MaddyT

From Caerleon, it leads up on the hills overlooking the Usk Valley before descending back to the river near Llantrisant, which it then follows for the most part into the town of Usk. The path then heads back up the hills again through fields with more stunning scenery up and down the valley (photo 3), coming down into the village of Llantrisant. On the final section into Usk across the fields, there is an alternative way that follows the riverside path (Photo 4) instead of following Mill Street into the centre of Usk....

Paul Chilcott

This route involves a couple of sections on 40mph roads with bends and hedges, and no pavement or verge, i.e, very hazardous. See Uskche2 for a safer alternative....

MaddyT

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

MaddyT

The off-road sections could be very muddy, especially west of Bittia Farm; an alternative is to follow the cycle network lane that runs NE and SW of Coed-y-Paen....

MaddyT

1) The footpath linking the road with Ton-y-bedw, although signposted, looked like it's no longer used - better to use the access road. If walking towards Usk, the footpath is clearly marked just past the large gates. 2) I couldn't find the path through Coed-y-Paen Farm See Cwmusk2 for an alternative (and more direct) route....

MaddyT

One drawback is a short section of main road south of Usk: between the lane to Cwm Dowlais and the garden centre there’s no pavement. Some stiles are in need of repair and I had to climb over a couple of gates; otherwise it’s easy to navigate....

MaddyT

One drawback is a short section of main road south of Usk: between the lane to Cwm Dowlais and the garden centre there’s no pavement. Some stiles are in need of repair and I had to climb over a couple of gates; otherwise it’s easy to navigate....

MaddyT

If walking from Usk, the footpath is clearly marked from the road (just right of the bridge) but isn’t so obvious from the field facing the wooded slope: walk straight on past the dilapidated orange truck (see pic) and look for the broken stile and path heading diagonally up the slope....

MaddyT

After walking through New Inn village, the path heads into the countryside lanes (Photo 2) and the first series of fields. This takes you past Llandegfedd Reservoir (Photo 3) and Coed-y-Paen village, before winding its way towards Usk....

Paul Chilcott