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Llanfoist Fawr

The Blorenge circular from Keeper's Pond — Brecon Beacons National Park

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United Kingdom
Wales
South Wales
Monmouthshire
Llanfoist Fawr

The Blorenge circular from Keeper's Pond — Brecon Beacons National Park

Moderate

4.7

(120)

633

hikers

The Blorenge circular from Keeper's Pond — Brecon Beacons National Park

03:12

11.0km

300m

Hiking

Embark on The Blorenge circular from Keeper's Pond for a moderate hike offering diverse terrain and sweeping vistas. This 6.8-mile (11.0 km) route, with an elevation gain of 984 feet (300 metres), typically takes around 3 hours and 11 minutes to complete. You will traverse gravel paths, grassy sections, and rocky trails, leading you to the summit of Blorenge where you can enjoy panoramic views across the Usk Valley, the Black Mountains, and the iconic Sugar Loaf.

When planning your visit, be aware that some sections of the trail can be overgrown, so wearing appropriate walking boots and long trousers is recommended to navigate rocky terrain and avoid stinging nettles. The summit can be very windy and exposed, so pack extra layers, especially on cooler days. Keeper's Pond, the starting point, is a tranquil beauty spot popular for picnics and wild swimming, making it a pleasant place to begin or end your adventure.

This trail is notable for its rich industrial history, with Keeper's Pond originally serving as a forge water supply in the early 19th century. As you hike, you will encounter remnants of old tram roads and quarries, reflecting the area's past within the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. The route also showcases unique natural features like the Punchbowl, an unusual shape formed by glacial erosion, adding to the varied landscape of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Brecon Beacons National Park

Waypoints

A

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1

211 m

Keeper's Pond (Pen-Ffordd-Goch Pond)

Highlight • Natural Monument

Keeper's Pond (Pen-Ffordd-Goch Pond) boasts great views across the Usk Valley towards the Sugar Loaf and the Black Mountains. Within the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and the National Park, it's a popular site for picnics and is ideal for watching wildlife.

Tip by

2

654 m

View of Sugar Loaf and The Skirrid

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great in the summer, boggy in the winter.

Tip by

3

2.30 km

Blorenge summit

Highlight • Natural Monument

From the summit of Blorenge you get fine views over Abergavenny and the Usk Valley. You may just be able to make out the castle ruins in Abergavenny, not too far from the town hall. From this position, you can also see the Sugar Loaf.

Tip by

4

5.48 km

The Punchbowl Lake

Highlight • Natural

An interesting circuit of the blorenge rich in industrial archaeology. Much of the route follows the course of an early 19th century tramway system designed to bring pig iron from blaenavon down to the canal in llanfost. A steep climb up the slope of an incline leads to the mountain side.A well graded path then contours the mountain to reach the secluded punchbowl nature reserve. From here a quite lane leads to the summit of the walk at keepers pond.The return route of hills tram road around the side of the blorenge with spectacular views up the usk valley. Some steep climbs especially at the start.There is rough terrain in places and some high level walking

Tip by

5

9.88 km

Keeper's Pond to The Blorenge

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Keeper’s Pond, also known as Pen-ffordd-goch Pond or the Forge Pond, is situated near Pwll Du, on the hill above Blaenavon. The pond was built in the early 19th century to provide water for Garnddyrys Forge, which started production in about 1817. The forge was dismantled during the 1860s and whilst the pond no longer fulfilled an industrial purpose, it rapidly became a local beauty spot. It also acquired the name Keeper’s Pond because the gamekeeper of the grouse moors lived in a cottage nearby.

Today, the Keeper’s Pond car park is the ideal starting point for a walk on the Blorenge Mountain. For instance, if you follow the Iron Mountain Trail you will discover lots of reminders of the 19th century industry including tramways and tunnels.

Tip by

B

11.0 km

End point

Parking

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.78 km

1.11 km

< 100 m

< 100 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

9.17 km

1.05 km

685 m

< 100 m

< 100 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (550 m)

Lowest point (270 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Tuesday 26 May

28°C

14°C

40 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Trail Reviews

KiwiMurfy
May 14, 2023, The Blorenge circular from Keeper's Pond — Brecon Beacons National Park

Great walk with the Punchbowl lake hallway around. Memorable for being the first time our dog Paddy had a proper swim. Bless

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