The most easterly peaks in the Brecon Beacons are the Black Mountains where you’ll find tiny villages and churches set in a rolling green landscape of picturesque hills and valleys. Don’t mistake the area for the Black Mountain however; the Black Mountain (singular) is a spectacular wilderness environment in its own right, but the Black Mountains (plural) are a little less demanding for the laid-back walker.

The Black Mountains have long narrow valleys and isolated farms reminiscent of Bruce Chatwin’s novel On the Black Hill, which was based in the Crasswell area near Hay Bluff. The mountains rise above 2000ft. If you don’t want to climb the highest, Waun Fach, you can walk instead along the long, heath-covered ridges that cross the area – all of them have wonderful views.

Hills and waterfalls – riverside paths can be slippery Offas Dyke Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Walk Cambrian Way Walkers' Association Celtic Trails Drover Holidays Ordnance Survey Explorer 11, 12 and 13. Harvey Superwalker Brecon Beacons West and East and Harvey Walker Brecon Beacons CCW’s countryside access maps