© Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd SOUTHEAST WALES & BRECON BEACONS 3 PERFECT DAYS DAY 1 // FOLLOW THE RIVERS Spend the fi rst part of the day exploring the lower Wye Valley, starting at the impres- sive castle at Chepstow (p 74 ). Head upstream to the ghostly remains of Tintern Abbey (p 77 ) and then continue through the wooded gorge, crossing in and out of England, until you reach Monmouth (p 78 ). Have a quick look around but don’t stop just yet. Instead, follow the River Monnow to either Skenfrith (p 82 ) or Grosmont (p 83 ): they’re both wonderfully isolated hamlets, each with an ancient church, castle, good place to sleep and, of course, a village pub. DAY 2 // SPLENDID ISOLATION Continuing on roads less travelled, take the A465 to Llanfi hangel Crucorney (p 90 ) and journey through the heart of the Black Mountains on the lonely road traversing the Vale of Ewyas (p 90 ). Llanthony Priory’s photogenic ruins are worth a visit. Continue over Gospel Pass, soaking up the moody moorland vistas. Drop anchor in charming Hay-on-Wye (p 90 ), spending the afternoon rummaging through secondhand book- shops and antiques shops. Have dinner at one of the excellent pubs then check out whatever’s happening at the Globe. DAY 3 // FOOD FIRST Have a quick wander around Brecon (p 97 ) in the morning then continue towards Ab- ergavenny (p 83 ). Some of Wales’ best eateries lurk in country lanes along this route, so book for lunch and dinner. You can spend the afternoon walking off the calories, but if that sounds too physical, head to World Heritage–rated Blaenavon (p 104 ). Consider Crickhowell (p 94 ) as a place to spend the night. 70 SOUTHEAST WALES & BRECON BEACONS LONELYPLANET.COM SOUTHEAST WALES & BRECON BEACONS VALE OF EWYAS p90 #\ Soak up the tranquillity of this Ceredigion remote cleft in the Black Mountains CRICKHOWELL p94 Settle into village life in the heart of the national park Pen-y-Crug #\ N a Llandovery n (331m) Felinfach #\ t $ B ra 0¸A4069 n #\ Myddfai /·A40 Sennybridge #\ Brecon #\ Usk #\ Llangadog Usk National Park Visitor Groesffordd Reservoir #H Centre #\ Llanfrynach #\ 0¸A4215 #\ 0¸A4067 i Libanus w LLanddeusant Bryn Ty (561m) Cray Brecon Pen-y-Fan $ #\ Reservoir Llandeilo Black $ Beacons National (886m) Park $ Mountain Fan A40 #\ 0¸ ";Carreg Fforest Storey Cennen Brycheiniog Fawr Arms Castle 66(802m) Br National Showcaves eco # Centre for Wales R Garwnant n ailwa Ystradfellte Visitor Mo #\ #\ Centre # Pen-y- u Abercraf y nt #\ cae Porth- yr-Ogof # a 0¸A474 Coelbren#C in Sgwd-yr- #C BRECON BEACONS Eira Penderyn SOUTHEAST WALES & SOUTHEAST WALES & 66#\ Cefn Coed #\ #] #\ Pontneddfechan Merthyr Tydfil 0¸A465 DISTANCE CHART (miles) h eat N #\ Note: Distances are ‚To Swansea Aberdare 0¸A470 Monmouth 16 approximate (17.5mi) 0¸A4061 Abergavenny 22 16 Aberfan #\ 0¸A4233 Hay-on-Wye 44 33 25 Brecon 42 35 19 15 #\ Abercynon y Rhondda Heritage Chepstow Porth #\ Park Monmouth #\# Hay-on-Wye Abergavenn Trehafod #\ Pontypridd GETTING AROUND The main roads follow the river valleys up into the heart of the Brecon Beacons, including A470 along the Taff and A4042/A40 along the Usk. Cardiff trains head to Abergavenny (and on to Holyhead), Chepstow (en route to London) and Merthyr Tydfil. Regular buses connect the major towns, while the Brecon Buses have Sunday services to most corners of the national park. For bus and train timetables and journey planners, see Traveline Cymru (%0871 200 22 33; www.traveline-cymru.info)..