New for 2026 – a three-day journey deep into the remote, little-known Llanthony Valley, hidden within the heart of the Black Mountains.

Day One

From Blaenau we climb straight into the high, empty heart of the Black Mountains, up towards the peak of Waun Fach. Once up top, we follow a sweeping route across the top of five remote valleys, known as ‘The Golden Horseshoe’,  the landscape opening up to wide commons where there is space to let the horses move up to fifth gear under big skies! We drop down to a beautifully atmospheric ruined hamlet for lunch, before climbing again and riding on into the Honddu valley, its distinctive U-shaped form carved by ancient glaciers. The final descent brings us to the secluded Llanthony Priory Hotel, tucked beside the dramatic ruins of the 12th-century priory — a place that feels genuinely removed from the modern world.

The Priory Hotel

Our stay at Llanthony is a highlight in itself. Attached to the priory ruins, the hotel is simple, characterful and wonderfully unspoilt, with large, comfortable rooms, no Wi-Fi or phone signal, and a warm welcome. Meals are taken in the atmospheric gothic dining room or the vaulted cellar bar, serving hearty food and local Welsh ales. Deep within a designated dark skies area, the valley is extraordinarily quiet at night, and on clear evenings the stars above Llanthony are unforgettable.

Day Two

A full day is spent exploring the Llanthony Valley itself. Steep forest climbs lead onto open hillsides with long canters and expansive views across the Black Mountains, while the sense of remoteness is constant. Wild ponies graze the high ridges, red kites circle overhead and the valley feels quietly alive with movement and birdsong. A picnic lunch allows us to stay out on the hills and make the most of our time here, riding deep into the landscape before returning to the Priory for a second night.

Day Three

We leave the valley by a different route, climbing back onto the Black Mountains and up onto the Offa’s Dyke Path, an ancient border between Wales and England. We ride over the Gospel Pass down towards Hay-on-Wye (stopping for an ice-cream if the van is parked up!) and riding back through the undulating foothills towards home. The ride back to Blaenau offers more expansive riding, long views and a final immersion in the scale and solitude of this remarkable area.