Despite not yet having completed the English Hewitts I decided I could no longer resist my desire to return to my homeland and decided to make my debut on three hills encircling a firing range above the village of New Radnor. The firing range, which is revealed at the end of the walk, is actually quite an interesting feature, which I never thought I would say in a walk report.

The route really begins in the centre of the village heading north along a minor road and then quickly departs to the east along the good footpath climbing over Mutton Dingle and skirting the slopes of Knowle Hill. So far, it's not sounded very Welsh, which is probably due to the close proximity to the border! The route cuts north into the forest and you can use a combination of footpaths and forestry roads to make your way up to the north west corner of the plantation. All very pleasant with paths clear of any fallen trees. Leaving the forest the path passes through a gate and then divides after 200 metres and rises steeply up the flank of the first Hewitt of the day, Bache Hill. The key to the summit lies in following the faint tread along the fence heading left from the original path. If it's a clear day you will see a small stile in the corner where two fences meet which allows the large summit cairn to be accessed. The trig point seems to have been placed on top of a significant earthwork. It looks like someone has decided to raise the summit up a bit to make sure it qualifies as a Hewitt. But, fairplay, Bache Hill is a 610.

My recommendation would be to return the short distance to the stile and then head north along the fence-line, possibly cutting across the grass field to the north east corner. There is a two stile crossing at this point to pick up an initially faint track which rises ever more distinctly to the north east. The now clear track more or less levels off to guide you up to the trig point and transmitter on the top of the gloriously named Black Mixen. The visibility for me was now so low that I could hardly see the transmitter from the trig point, so it's a bit difficult to become too effusive about the views, on the grounds that I couldn't see anything. However, I reckon the panorama over Shropshire and Herefordshire to the east was probably outstanding from both Bache and BM.

Now, I possibly made a bit of a mistake on leaving Black Mixen as I decided to stick sharply west to the track. It was only about 200 metres away but watch out for some very uneven ground under the heather. Perhaps the slight tread heading north from BM would have been a better solution. Anyway, it only took about three minutes and then I was heading gently downhill north west on a good path to another tidy plantation. I crossed into the trees quickly picking up a good forestry road before turning south on a smaller gravel track which meets the bridleway cutting north to south through the forest. The clear track soon exits onto open land continuing to rise to the 650 metre contour. At exactly this point, a minor path cuts off the established bridleway and heads directly south, rising imperceptibly to the summit of Great Rhos. Again, as the summit was shrouded in cloud I can't comment on what are no doubt stunning views westward into central Wales.

My recommendation here is to follow the tread south from the summit of Great Rhos until the boundary fence with the MOD land is reached. Do not cross it (as some people have), there is absolutely no point. Just follow the fence westward for 300 metres and then, at a junction with another fence, step across it, follow the line for 100 metres and then pick up the faint track heading south west. This rapidly improves and soon intersects with the less distinctive bridleway which is followed to the left to begin the long and well marked descent towards New Radnor. This is all very nice walking which eventually meets up with the MOD boundary fence and it is at this point where the firing range comes into view. Hopefully I am not giving any national secrets away by saying that this looks very safe, and exceptionally well organised. Excellent!

The bridleway descends gently to meet the range access road, But take the good path to the left which contours around the hill to return to New Radnor, dropping down nicely through the churchyard to the centre of the village.

This was a really good morning excursion, even in cloud. The paths are mostly very good indeed, the route finding is easy but involves lots of changes in direction and that simply makes it more interesting. I'll bet the views are worth seeing. I love this part of Wales, and there is virtually no-one on the hills.