Craig y Cilau

Craig y Cilau National nature Reserve (NNR) is a spectacular limestone escarpment, which stands some 122 metres high near the southern border of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is one of the largest upland limestone cliffs in Wales, and this limestone supports its own characteristic flora, which is unusual in Wales. Further, the reserve also boasts an extensive cave system.

Craig y Cilau is part of the Mynydd Llangatwg Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Usk Bat Sites Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Grid Ref: SO186160 Area: 64.82 hectares

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Visiting

_Photo©CCW

The condition of footpaths on the reserve varies.

An old tramway, at the reserve's eastern end, provides a level grassy track for the first 600 metres.

The path then becomes narrower and steeper, and some sections can also be wet and slippery.

The reserve track leading from the B4560 is quite rough, and there are some scree and boulder sections through the woodlands.

How to get there

The reserve is located on a steep hillside on the south side of the upper Usk Valley, five kilometres south of Crickhowell - above the village of Llangattock.

To reach the reserve you need to follow either of 2 minor roads through the village of Llangattock for about three-and-a-half kilometres:

To Beaufort
Or Llangattock hillside

Either of these 2 locations can also be reached via roads coming from the direction of Brynmawr. Access to the reserve is via an old tramway.

The nearest car park lies about three-and-a-half kilometres from the reserve, south of the hamlet around Llangattock hillside, although there is also roadside parking on the B4560 Llangynidr to Beaufort Road.

_Photo©CCW

Transport
For more information contact Traveline Cymru on 0871 2002233. or on www.traveline-cymru.org.uk

Facilities

The caves are accessible to those with suitable equipment and experience. However, the more extensive Agen Allwedd cave has controlled access.

_Photo©CCW

Who looks after it?

The reserve is managed by CCW.

You can contact the southern region reserves team via the CCW enquiries help line on 0845 1306229 or by email at enquires@ccw.gov.uk. You can also write to us at the address under ‘Contact the team’.

Wildlife

There is an impressive diversity of flora at Craig y Cilau, with at least 250 species being recorded.

This is as a result of the:

Alkaline soils which top the limestone
Limited grazing due to the steep
Inaccessible nature of the rock

_Photo©CCW

There are a number of uncommon species such as:

Mountain melick
Angular Solomon’s seal
Mossy saxifrage
Alpine enchanter’s nightshade [at its southernmost extremity in Britain]

A small raised bog can also be found in the reserve - Waun Ddu – and the vegetation here is quite different.

Woodland trees include four species of whitebeam native to Britain, two of which are unknown outside Brecknock.

The reserve is also an important habitat for birds, with about 50 breeding species recorded.

Entrances to some fascinating cave systems are also within the reserve:

The Agen Allwedd cave system - ( part of which lies in the reserve ) has passages extending for about 12 miles.
The Eglwys Faen system - which lies entirely within the reserve

These caves are well used by bats, and are a significant hibernation site for lesser horseshoe bats.