Black Hill & Black Mountain

[poppiesrara]

An interesting route on the edges of the Beacons, taking the English approach to a little-loved border mountain.

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Despite a testing drive in up untended narrow lanes, the way up Black Hill’s south ridge seems popular, a clearly-worn path initially over grass and then steepening up to and along a surprisingly rocky narrowing ridge; some of the best walking in this area. The vast flat ridge of Black Mountain across the valley dominates the view west, but the other way you are very visibly on the edge of the mountains with nothing interrupting an endless green view across England.

Start of the climb to Black Hill from the carpark

Black Mountain

East towards the Malverns

Black Hill ridge

Head of the Olchon Valley

Looking east from Black Hill summit

Past the summit and, after doubling back south, over Black Mountain, the ridge broadens to a wide moorland and the views fade. But for long flat miles above 2000ft this is still pleasant airy walking on great paths – firm and sandy before meeting the thick dappled slabs of the popular Offa’s Dyke Way, making what would otherwise plainly be a near-impassable bog very easy. It’s quite impossible to determine where the actual peak is - even those enthusiasts who build cairns on the slightest rises haven’t attempted to hazard a guess on these spirit-level flat acres – but I’m happy to keep believing that it doesn’t involve leaving the path!

Pen y Gadair Fawr and Waun Fach

Maybe somewhere near Black Mountain's summit...?

Drying ground heading towards the south peak

Storm approaching from Rhos Dirion

Twmpa and the Gospel Pass

The path down to and over the Olchon Brook starts well on a clear grassy zigzag, before fading through the bracken (it really didn’t look like anyone had disturbed the growth on this path all summer) and farmland in the valley. Nothing too hard though, and even a sharpish little climb through the woods back to the carpark does little to toughen a very easy and pleasant little ridge-walk. And you’ve then (irritating factlet…) conquered the highest English hill south of the Dales!

Black Hill south ridge from the descent

Olchon Valley

Black Hill

Black Mountain

[ChrisW]

Great little pair P with some spectacular views from both, as for that summit, you should have staked a claim by stacking a couple of rocks together

[johnkaysleftleg]

That initial ridge looks fantastic. Nice report Poppie

[clivegrif]

Thanks very much for this Poppies - all being well I will be in this area next weekend, and its good to see it reasonably dry (especially after the last episode....)

The Cats Back ridge of Black Hill is a nice one, and is in sharp (ho ho) contrast to the rest of the area.

Lovely area.