Whitewalls is situated on the mountainside above Llangattock, near Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The cottage is at OS grid reference SO 204 157 (what3words: ///voice.shorter.important, Google Maps directions, closest post code NP8 1LG). Note: There is a holiday cottage nearby also called Whitewalls; our cottage is further up the hill.

There are a number of routes up to Whitewalls, but not all are suitable for all types of vehicle. However, having arrived you will soon appreciate the benefits of living up a steep hill; the fantastic views. Here are the three most efficient routes to reach the cottage:

The Tramroad Route

This is the recommended and easiest way to Whitewalls. The road is single-track, often in a poor state of repair (beware pot holes), a few sections are lacking in passing places, but overall it is the best route for anyone travelling by minibus, campervan or other large vehicles (the gradient is level all the way from Brynmawr). Use the options below to see the full route description:

  • Travelling Westbound (from Abergavenny direction)

    From the A465 Heads of the Valley road, take the Brynmawr exit by the new Gateway Bridge following the sign for Big Pit. Then take the first exit on the roundabout to cross the bridge. At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit (signed to Abergavenny and School), and immediately after take the right-hand turning signed to Llangattock. At a fork in the road continue straight ahead to Hafod Road, this is the old tramroad which contours around the flank of the mountain and has some fine views. This is a single track road, but has passing places at fairly regular intervals along the way. Continue along this road for a long distance (3.7 miles), keeping on the same level (and ignoring the recent ‘No Vehicles Except for Access’ sign about half way along), until you reach the end of the high-level section where the road heads back downhill. Here continue straight on taking the gravel track beyond the ‘No Parking’ signs to reach Whitewalls. This is the second building along and cars may be parked anywhere along the tramroad outside, but please avoid parking outside the neighbouring properties.

  • Travelling Eastbound (from Merthyr Tydfil direction)

    From the A465 Heads of the Valley road, take the Brynmawr exit (signed Brynmawr and Newport A467). This takes you to the roundabout by the Gateway Bridge. Take the first exit at this roundabout (signed to Abergavenny and School), and immediately after take the right-hand turning signed to Llangattock. At a fork in the road continue straight ahead to Hafod Road, this is the old tramroad which contours around the flank of the mountain and has some fine views. This is a single track road, but had passing places at fairly regular intervals along the wayContinue along this road for a long distance (3.7 miles), keeping on the same level (and ignoring the recent ‘No Vehicles Except for Access’ sign about half way along), until you reach the end of the high-level section where the road heads back downhill. Here continue straight on taking the gravel track beyond the ‘No Parking’ signs to reach Whitewalls. This is the second building along and cars may be parked anywhere along the tramroad outside, but please avoid parking outside the neighbouring properties.

The Gilwern Route (via Bunkhouse)

This is the least steep of all the direct routes uphill and is generally less travelled than other options. This is a single track country road, but is fine for any normal vehicle.

  • Travelling Westbound (from Abergavenny direction)

    From the A465 Heads of the Valley road), take the slip road signed for Big Pit, Gilwern, Crickhowell and Blaenavon to reach a roundabout. Then take the third exit (signed for Gilwern and Crickhowell) on to the A4077 Abergavenny Road to Gilwern village. At the Beaufort Arms pub turn right, then stay on the A4077 heading towards Crickhowell. Pass through the village of Gilwern (ignoring the alternative route opposite the Corn Exchange if you value the underside of your car), and continue on through countryside until you see a brown ‘bunkhouse’ sign. Take this left-hand turn and continue uphill past the ‘no HGVs’ signs. At a fork in the road turn right, then continue to follow the brown signs, turning left at the next fork. Further along you’ll pass the Wern Watkin bunkhouse on your right, but continue on, passing the gasworks to reach the old tramroad (Hafod Road) on the Llangattock escarpment. Here turn right and follow this road to the end of the high-level section. Here a gravel track continues while the road heads sharply downhill, and Whitewalls is the second building along this track beyond the ‘No Parking’ signs. Cars may be parked anywhere along the tramroad outside, but please avoid parking outside our neighbouring properties.

  • Travelling Eastbound (from Merthyr Tydfil direction)

    From the A465 Heads of the Valley road, take the slip road signed for Gilwern, Crickhowell and Brecon. This crosses the canal and takes you to Gilwern village. Continue down the main road, then take the left-hand turning at the Beaufort Arms pub, then left again on to the A4077 to Crickhowell. Pass through the village of Gilwern (ignoring the alternative route opposite the Corn Exchange if you value the underside of your car), and continue on through countryside until you see a brown ‘bunkhouse’ sign. Take this left-hand turn and continue uphill past the ‘no HGVs’ signs. At a fork in the road turn right, then continue to follow the brown signs, turning left at the next fork. Further along you’ll pass the Wern Watkin bunkhouse on your right, but continue on, passing the gasworks to reach the old tramroad (Hafod Road) on the Llangattock escarpment. Here turn right and follow this road to the end of the high-level section. Here a gravel track continues while the road heads sharply downhill, and Whitewalls is the second building along this track beyond the ‘No Parking’ signs. Cars may be parked anywhere along the tramroad outside, but please avoid parking outside our neighbouring properties.

The Direct Route (from Crickhowell and Llangattock)

This is the quickest and most direct route to Whitewalls, but is also very steep with some sharp bends. Definitely not recommended for mini-buses, camper vans, large vehicles or unconfident drivers!

  • Travelling from Crickhowell via Llangattock

    From the A4077 to Crickhowell by the bridge crossing the river Usk, take the turning next to The Vine Tree pub (opposite side of the river to the Bridge End), signposted to Llangattock. Continue along this road (Hillside Road) past The Three Horseshoes, which is the closest pub to Whitewalls. Ignore the road signposted to Beaufort and continue straight on. Further along you’ll cross the canal and leave the village. The road then becomes a single track country road. Turn right at the next junction, along an unsigned road. This is quite narrow and lacking in passing places. After a while the road starts to ascend steeply with a number of sharp bends. Continue onwards and upwards until you reach the top, then take the gravel track on the right. Whitewalls is the second building along this track beyond the No Parking signs. Cars may be parked anywhere along the tramroad outside, but please avoid parking outside our neighbouring properties.