Sugar Loaf Mountain Abergavenny
The Sugar Loaf mountain above Abergavenny in the Brecon Beacons National Park is one of the most distinctive and most accessible of the Black Mountains summits, a characteristic conical hill of 596 metres whose profile is recognisable from a wide area of the Gwent and Brecon valleys. The combination of the characteristic shape, the relatively easy ascent and the panoramic summit views have made it one of the most popular hill walks in south Wales. The summit provides views in all directions across the Vale of Abergavenny to the south, the Black Mountains to the north and the Usk Valley extending west toward the Brecon Beacons. The summit plateau is managed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its dry heathland habitat, supporting upland birds including red grouse, wheatear and stonechat characteristic of the Black Mountains. The town of Abergavenny below provides excellent visitor facilities and is the principal gateway town for both the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons National Park. The combination of the accessible summit walking, the views and the historic market town at the foot of the hill makes the Sugar Loaf an excellent starting point for exploring this section of the national park.