Mountain rank by height: 78 out of 188
Height: 2,362ft | 720m
Region: Black Mountains
Grid ref: SO206243
Pen Allt-mawr is the second mountain on a 7 mountain loop in the Black Mountains, starting out just above Crickhowell. After completing a decent chunk of ascent to summit Pen Cerrig-calch the walk to Pen Allt-mawr is gentle and follows a well-walked path.
At a couple of points the path is exposed to winds from the West and even in August I was hit by some very strong gusts, so take care on this parts and make sure you’re wearing good boots on the wet and often stony paths at this point.
Views back are impressive, taking in Pen Cerrig-calch, the Sugar Loaf, Skirrid and other hills in the area, as well as the tail-end of this loop. As you approach the trig point you have a quick bit of steeper ascent, but nothing challenging. Once on top you have extensive views in every direction.
This is a mountain definitely worth walking, not just because it has a photogenic trig point and rocky summit, but also because the views are so extensive across the rest of the Black Mountains. The whole loop opens up for you, and the views back towards famous hills in Monmouthshire just add to the sense of scale.
You could turn back at this point, but I think by this point it is easier to keep heading forward to take in the rest of the route.