Black Mountains Route 7-8

Martin Sweeney escapes the crowds in the rolling hills of the Black Mountains with an overnight trip to a splendid little bothy.

A scenic Brecon Beacons overnighter at the UK’s southernmost bothy

Completed 90 years ago, the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir was an immense undertaking, taking almost 20 years from start to finish. The site was home to hundreds of workers and their families, with a village constructed in the valley below. Once work was completed in 1928, the village and railway that supplied it were quickly dismantled, returning peace to the valley. Today the former pumping house at the head of the reservoir serves as a compact bothy, maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. Right in the heart of the Black Mountains, it makes an ideal staging post for countless overnight adventures across the broad ridges that surround it. As with any bothy there’s no guarantee of a space for the night, so it’s always worth having a back-up plan – especially as this one only sleeps three! TRANSPORT

There are plenty of bus options connecting nearby Crickhowell to both Abergavenny and Brecon, but few run to Llanbedr.

CAFÉS/GRUB

The Red Lion in Llanbedr is a good option (01873 730223). Nearby Crickhowell also has plenty of pubs and eateries to choose from.

ACCOMMODATION

Try the Dragon Inn down the road in Crickhowell (www. dragoninncrickhowell.com). There are plenty of other options in the town if they are full.

PRACTICALITIES Cashpoints, petrol and supermarkets are all available in Crickhowell, as well as the excellent little outdoor shop Crickhowell Adventure.

TOURIST INFO Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre, Beaufort Square, Crickhowell, 01873 811970, www. visitcrickhowell.co.uk