Sugar Loaf Mountain Hiking Route and Guide

If you're looking for a particularly rewarding walk in South Wales, the Sugar Loaf Mountain near Abergavenny needs to be high on your list. This mountain clearly stands apart from the other Welsh mountains in the area, in a literal sense, meaning it has great panoramic views along with trails that you can see for miles, and a manageable to steep climb with a graduated incline. It's a popular choice for walkers of all levels due to this. In this guide, we’ll answer the most common questions about the Sugar Loaf hike, including how long it takes, how high the mountain is, and what to expect along the way.

The Sugar Loaf is located just outside Abergavenny, though it does sit in the southeast corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its iconic, pointed shape and reasonably accessible location make it one of the more recognisable peaks in the region. There are multiple car parks near-by to the trailheads and plenty choose from.

The Sugar Loaf Mountain stands at 596 metres above sea level according to National Trust. It’s definitely not the tallest peak in Wales, this just means it makes a great afternoon hike, though its isolated position and how it’s set between the other hills and peaks gives it the feel of a much bigger summit, offering broad-reaching views on a clear day, sometimes even as far as the Bristol Channel and the Black Mountains. If you’re an early bird you’ll see some phenomenal sunrises.

The most common starting point for the Sugar Loaf hike is the car park at Llanwenarth, referred to as the Sugar Loaf car park or Sugar Loaf viewpoint car park. The car park is managed by the National Trust and is free to use, though it can get busy on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is recommended. If it’s full, there are limited roadside parking spots nearby, but be mindful of local access and signage to avoid blocking gateways or lanes. Be wary also, that some councils do not allow roadside parking and you could end up with a fine, as well as annoying the locals, if you decide to take the risk.

If you want to follow our recommended trail from AllTrails here is a pin for Google Maps. This is a smaller car park then the one recommended above but has a good start to the trail and is circular route:

The time it takes to hike Sugar Loaf depends on your chosen route and pace, but most people complete the walk around 3 hours, depending on starting location, pace, personal fitness etc. The most popular circular route is around 6km and involves a steady ascent, followed by a generally gentle return path. It’s suitable for most, including families, casual hikers and a good hike if you like to bring your dogs along.

The trail is a mix of grassy paths, wooded areas, though maybe a stretch to say a forest with ancient trees, open hillsides, and rocky steps near the summit. On a clear day, the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain Wales offers stunning 360° views(as all mountain peaks do). It’s best to bring packable layers, and comfortable, waterproof footwear. A persistent strong breeze can really take the warmth from you. We’d recommend a good windbreaker jacket and a fleece.

The hike may not be treacherous, though it is a mountain in Wales, so the weather can turn quickly, and there is a possibility of getting stranded or, at the very least, drawing out the length of your hike with an unexpected ankle sprain or other injury. Spending a little time planning what kit to bring should always be on a hiker's to-do list, especially before a mountain hike.

Of course, this is a relatively short hike (3 hours). For your convenience, read through our short list of what to pack when walking up Sugar Loaf Mountain.

• Wind resistant jacket or coat - They're generally easy to pack and are great for stopping a chill.
• Fleece - A fleece pairs well with a windbreaker to trap in warmth.
• Walking trousers – Having trousers that are breathable, stretch with your step and are moisture wicking makes a big difference, especially on a mountain hike. You'll be kept dry and more easily regulate your temperature.
• Hiking footwear – It's best to find some hiking boots with ankle support with an up-hill hike.
• A hat - Either woolly hat or a cap, to protect you from the sun.
• Food and water. Calory dense food for example flapjacks, trail mix or any dried fruit and nuts, energy bars etc.
• Suncream

Starting Point: Unnamed car park near local B&B. Map link above.

Length of the Walk: 2.5-3.5 hours.

Trail Type: Varied terrain, including grassy paths, gradually inclining slopes turning slowly to rocky paths, small mountain.