Gilwern and Clydach, near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales

Clydach Gorge

Valley

Source image

7.7

Wildland

2–3 hours

Time

Free parking is listed at Clydach Ironworks

Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

WoodlandValleyRiversideWalkersPhotographersHistory loversWildlife lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.7

A wooded gorge where the River Clydach’s fast-flowing water once powered ironworks, furnaces, quarries and mines. Its industrial remains sit among waterfalls, woodland and the Grade II listed Devil’s Bridge.

Clydach Gorge earns its place through the close meeting of wild landscape and industrial history: ancient beech woods, a fast-flowing river, waterfalls and the remains of an ironworks all occupy the same steep valley. There are several documented walks, but check the official guide for a suitable route and current conditions.

Atmospheric · Wild

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Gilwern and Clydach, near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales

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The experience

Explore a wooded river gorge where industrial remains, waterfalls and ancient beech woodland share a steep valley. Visit Monmouthshire identifies the Clydach Ironworks site as a base for walks and highlights Devil’s Bridge and Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve. Follow a route from the official guide rather than relying on the main-place map pin for a start point.

Things to do

Explore the Clydach Ironworks remains

Visit the remains of the 18th-century ironworks, described by Visit Monmouthshire as a base for exploring the gorge. The source says more than 1,300 people once worked at the site.

See Devil’s Bridge

Look for the Grade II listed, single-arch bridge. Visit Monmouthshire describes it as a former pack-horse bridge, built around 1700 to carry minerals to Llanelly Furnace.

Walk in Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve

Explore the reserve’s semi-ancient beech woods. Visit Monmouthshire identifies the site as important for birds, bats, mosses and lichens.

Choose a gorge walk from the official guide

Visit Monmouthshire lists three walks starting at the Clydach Ironworks site: Pucks Valley Treasure Trail, Corridor to the Past Treasure Trail and the Crawshay Bailey Trail. Check the linked guide for route details.

Follow National Cycle Route 46

Visit Monmouthshire identifies the scenic National Cycle Route 46 as one way to get around the gorge. Check the route source for current details and suitability.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1–2 hours; exact duration depends on the walk chosen.

Quick gorge and ironworks visit

01
Use the official Clydach Gorge map and guide to plan a short visit from the Clydach Ironworks site.
02
Explore the ironworks remains and, if the chosen route includes it, visit Devil’s Bridge.
03
Allow time to notice the river and wooded gorge; check current conditions before walking.

Half day · Around 2–3 hours, based on the supplied Tripadvisor duration; choose a walk using the official guide.

Make a half day of the gorge

01
Start from the Clydach Ironworks site, identified by Visit Monmouthshire as a base for exploring the gorge.
02
Choose one of the three listed walks: Pucks Valley Treasure Trail, Corridor to the Past Treasure Trail or the Crawshay Bailey Trail.
03
Look out for the industrial remains, Devil’s Bridge and the river landscape where included in your route.

Verified history

During the Industrial Revolution, the fast-flowing River Clydach powered ironworks, blast furnaces, quarries and mines in the valley. Visit Monmouthshire identifies Clydach Ironworks as an 18th-century site where more than 1,300 people once worked. It describes Devil’s Bridge as a single-arch pack-horse bridge built around 1700 to carry minerals to Llanelly Furnace.

Folklore & legend

Local legend, as reported by Visit Monmouthshire, says William Shakespeare was inspired to write A Midsummer Night’s Dream after walking in Cwm Clydach’s woods. This is a legend, not verified history.

Hidden details

The bridge’s working past — Devil’s Bridge was reportedly built around 1700 as a pack-horse bridge for carrying minerals to Llanelly Furnace.

A landscape shaped by water and industry — The River Clydach’s fast flow powered the valley’s industrial sites; the remains of that history can still be visited at Clydach Ironworks and Devil’s Bridge.

When to go

· Not specified by the supplied sources.

The supplied sources do not give seasonal advice.

Check local weather and walking conditions before setting out; the supplied sources do not describe route conditions.

What to look for

01
The remains of Clydach Ironworks
02
the single-arch Devil’s Bridge, described by Visit Monmouthshire as a pack-horse bridge built around 1700
03
waterfalls and the beech woods of Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve.

The story

Industrial heritage

Best time to go

Not specified by the supplied sources; check local conditions before visiting.

The supplied sources do not identify a best season or time of day. Check weather and route conditions before walking.

How long to spend

2–3 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Wildlife lovers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Heads of the Valleys Rd, Gilwern, Clydach, Abergavenny NP7 0LY

Listed hours

Friday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.4 · 245 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

Visit Monmouthshire describes walks through the gorge and free parking at the Clydach Ironworks site. The supplied Google Maps pin identifies the main place, not an entrance or parking location; check the official map and guide before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

Visit Monmouthshire lists free parking at the Clydach Ironworks site. The supplied map pin is not a parking pin; check the official guide for directions.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

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Accessibility

Check before visiting. The source row reports wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance as false; it does not provide further access information.

Check before visiting

Cost

Free parking is listed at Clydach Ironworks; other costs are not specified.