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Home> Walks> England> Herefordshire> On the Black Hill

On the Black Hill

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Walk directions

Over a stile behind the car park, follow a steep path up the spine of the hill. The ridge shortly narrows and in strong wind or poor weather, may be intimidating. But, the way soon broadens to continue as a fine, airy walk, which offers superlative views on either hand.

Fork left at the trig column, passing a shallow tarn on your right. The clear path gently rises across the moor for 1.5 miles (2.4km), eventually meeting a crossing of paths by an Offa’s Dyke stone marker.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Muddy patches, stony descent, lanes, minor roads, several stiles
  Landscape  - Narrow mountain ridge and moorland plateau incised by green valleys
  Dog friendliness  - A good yomp, but may be sheep grazing on tops
  Parking  - Black Hill car park (signposted)
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Herefordshire Dog-friendly walks in Herefordshire
About the walk
On the western edge of Herefordshire are three valleys: the River Dore in the Golden Valley, the Escley Brook in the Escley Valley and lastly the Olchon Brook in the Olchon Valley. The Black Hill lies, sometimes literally, in the shadow of the Black Mountains that here delineate the Welsh border. ...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
Herefordshire is split in two by the River Wye which meanders through the county on its way to the Severn and the sea. Largely rural, with Hereford, Leominster, and Ross-on-Wye the major towns and cities, its countryside and ancient villages are the county’s major asset.
Explore Herefordshire
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Holiday Park
Poston Mill Park
★★★★★
awardaward
"Peaceful touring park near Hay-on Wye offers stunning Herefordshire views...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Shop onsite
Inn
The Old Black Lion Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"The Black Lion's friendly team have a genuine regard for guest enjoyment..."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Glamping
Heart of the Wye
 Quality Assessed
award
"Individually designed yurts near Hay-on-Wye and the Brecon Beacons...."
Nearby places to stay
Poston Mill Park
Poston Mill Park is west of Herefordshire under the foothills of the Black Mountain in the Golden Valley. Hard-standing pitches are available all year round, suitable for caravans, moto...
★★★★★    Rating
The Old Black Lion Inn
This fine old coaching inn, with a history stretching back several centuries, has a wealth of charm and character. It was occupied by Oliver Cromwell during the siege of Hay Castle. Pri...
★★★★    Rating
Heart of the Wye
The five peaceful yurts at Heart of the Wye have their own character and style and come with BBQ, fire pit, decking, seating, dining canopy, and a valley view. There’s also an on-site r...
Quality Assessed
Monnington House
Monnington House is an Idyllic farmhouse situated on The Wye Valley Walk. It' 9 large bedrooms and 9 bathrooms make it perfect for celebrations and group gatherings. The dining area sea...
★★★★★    Rating
Lower House Barn
Situated between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, Lower House Barn is the perfect place for friends or families to stay in comfort and to explore not only the Wye Valley but also the Black Moun...
★★★★    Rating
Lower House Barn
Situated between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, Lower House Barn is the perfect place for friends or families to stay in comfort and to explore not only the Wye Valley but also the Black Moun...
★★★★    Rating
Anchorage Caravan Park
Anchorage Caravan Park is a well-maintained site with a choice of south-facing, sloping grass pitches and superb views of the Black Mountains, or a more sheltered lower area with a numb...
★★★★    Rating
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
The Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
L'école des Amis
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
4hrs
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Hard

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
8.25 miles (13.3kms)

Ascent:
1575ft (480m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
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On the Black Hill

Recommended by
Walk details
4hrs
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Hard
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
8.25 miles (13.3kms)
Ascent:
1575ft (480m)
Walk directions

Over a stile behind the car park, follow a steep path up the spine of the hill. The ridge shortly narrows and in strong wind or poor weather, may be intimidating. But, the way soon broadens to continue as a fine, airy walk, which offers superlative views on either hand.
1 of 6

Fork left at the trig column, passing a shallow tarn on your right. The clear path gently rises across the moor for 1.5 miles (2.4km), eventually meeting a crossing of paths by an Offa’s Dyke stone marker.
2 of 6

To the left, the way initially climbs over an un-named top, but which, at over 2,300ft (700m), is the highest point of the walk. The trail runs on, intermittently slabbed along the broad ridge, which here marks the boundary between England and Wales. After nearly 3 miles (4.8km), and almost level with the car park across the valley, look out for a cairn and another Offa’s Dyke waystone marking a crossing of routes.
3 of 6

Take the grass path off left, which soon curves left down the steepening slope. Lower down, after 700yds (640m), the way swings sharply right.
4 of 6

Soon, a waymark indicates a junction from which a path drops to the lane. However, carry on ahead through bracken, ignoring a later intersecting path. Eventually cross a brook and enter a grove of alder to reach a fence. Turn right in front of it, crossing a stream to reach a kissing gate. Through that walk on within the fringe of trees, passing an opening and a stile before reaching another kissing gate. Negotiate a fallen tree just beyond and follow the line of an old hollow way. Disregard a later stile on the left, but then shortly cross a stile. Stay with the groove, passing through a kissing gate at the end to meet a lane.
5 of 6

Walk downhill to a junction and go left. Approaching a small bridge, leave over a stile on the right and head downfield beside the stream. Cross the stream lower down and bear right to a footbridge spanning Olchon Brook. Climb away to Blackhill Farm. Over a stile, walk up beside the buildings to find a waymarked handgate in the top-right corner. Head up a wooded gully to a stile and bear left, soon emerging onto a lane. Turn left along the lane and first right to return to the car park.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Muddy patches, stony descent, lanes, minor roads, several stiles
  Landscape - Narrow mountain ridge and moorland plateau incised by green valleys
  Dog friendliness - A good yomp, but may be sheep grazing on tops
  Parking - Black Hill car park (signposted)
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Herefordshire Dog-friendly walks in Herefordshire
About the walk
On the western edge of Herefordshire are three valleys: the River Dore in the Golden Valley, the Escley Brook in the Escley Valley and lastly the Olchon Brook in the Olchon Valley. The Black Hill lies, sometimes literally, in the shadow of the Black Mountains that here delineate the Welsh border. ...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is split in two by the River Wye which meanders through the county on its way to the Severn and the sea. Largely rural, with Hereford, Leominster, and Ross-on-Wye the major towns and cities, its countryside and ancient villages are the county’s major asset.
Explore Herefordshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Holiday Park
Poston Mill Park
★★★★★
awardaward
"Peaceful touring park near Hay-on Wye offers stunning Herefordshire views...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Shop onsite
Inn
The Old Black Lion Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"The Black Lion's friendly team have a genuine regard for guest enjoyment..."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Glamping
Heart of the Wye
 Quality Assessed
award
"Individually designed yurts near Hay-on-Wye and the Brecon Beacons...."
Nearby places to stay
Poston Mill Park
Poston Mill Park is west of Herefordshire under the foothills of the Black Mountain in the Golden Valley. Hard-standing pitches are available all year round, suitable for caravans, moto...
★★★★★    Rating
The Old Black Lion Inn
This fine old coaching inn, with a history stretching back several centuries, has a wealth of charm and character. It was occupied by Oliver Cromwell during the siege of Hay Castle. Pri...
★★★★    Rating
Heart of the Wye
The five peaceful yurts at Heart of the Wye have their own character and style and come with BBQ, fire pit, decking, seating, dining canopy, and a valley view. There’s also an on-site r...
Quality Assessed
Monnington House
Monnington House is an Idyllic farmhouse situated on The Wye Valley Walk. It' 9 large bedrooms and 9 bathrooms make it perfect for celebrations and group gatherings. The dining area sea...
★★★★★    Rating
Lower House Barn
Situated between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, Lower House Barn is the perfect place for friends or families to stay in comfort and to explore not only the Wye Valley but also the Black Moun...
★★★★    Rating
Lower House Barn
Situated between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye, Lower House Barn is the perfect place for friends or families to stay in comfort and to explore not only the Wye Valley but also the Black Moun...
★★★★    Rating
Anchorage Caravan Park
Anchorage Caravan Park is a well-maintained site with a choice of south-facing, sloping grass pitches and superb views of the Black Mountains, or a more sheltered lower area with a numb...
★★★★    Rating
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
The Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
L'école des Amis
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby