Thursday 12 July 2018. An ascent of Hatterall Hill 531m/44m (Section 32A), near Llanthony Priory, Monmouthshire, South Wales. 9.8km, with 340m of ascent. 4hrs 0mins.

I joined MP for this hike in the far eastern section of the Brecon Beacons National Park. MP drove us south in his car to the attractive town of Hay-on-Wye, and then over the Gospel Pass into the secluded Vale or Ewyas, where a narrow lane led south to Llanthony Priory, the starting point for our hike.

Llanthony Priory (see at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanthony_Priory) is a ruined church and priory, originally occupied by members of the Augustinian Order (see at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Saint_Augustine). The priory was dissolved around 1538 at The Dissolution of the Monasteries, under King Henry VIII, and fell into ruin.

After inspecting the still significant remains of this Cadw-listed monument, part of which is now a hotel, we picked up the Brecon Beacons Way through sheep pastures up into shaded beech woods. Beside the path was an ancient gnarled yew tree which may well have stood there long before the wood grew around it. The path emerged into fields again higher up, with opening views of the Vale of Ewyas.

After a gate, the trail turned south-east, making a rising traverse among dwarf trees on bracken-clad slopes to join the Offa’s Dyke Path on the ridge line. Gatekeeper butterflies (Maniola tithonus) danced on the bracken fronds. I managed to catch a good photo of one of these elusive creatures as it rested in the sunlight.

We headed south on the Offa’s Dyke Path (see at https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/offas-dyke-path) to the connecting bwlch for Hatterrall Hill, which was the site for the first heighting survey of the day. It was now hot and sunny, and I took the opportunity to lounge in the heather and snack, while MP set his Trimble survey unit to do its business.

Survey completed, we headed south up Hatterrall Hill, passed by various hikers and runners doing the trail, or just out to enjoy the sunshine after the earlier rain. At its highest point, we left the path to head west through the heather to the summit cairn on Hatterrall Hill. Due to the flat nature of the area, the view was restricted. However, a short walk south opened up a hazy view of the declining reaches of the long Black Mountain ridge, called Mynydd y Gadair (‘Chair Mountain’) on the Welsh side of the hill.

When the survey was done, as time was advancing and we were planning another hike/survey before heading home, we determined to return by our outward route. Near the bwlch we encountered a group of friendly wild ponies protecting a very young black foal. These fine animals are a particular charm and feature on these hills. It was hot work returning to the valley. We were looking forward to an ice cream or two from the priory shop, as we had noted a sign advertising such as we departed. We reached the shop at 3:45 pm. It was closed.