Visitors to the Black Mountain Quarries
can enjoy breath-taking panoramic views
from the quarries and can discover the
fascinating story of this once thriving
lime industry. Starting from either of
the two car parks at the site, a way-marked
walk will take you along grassy paths and
stony tracks through a landscape of quarries
and the remains of numerous lime kilns
spanning at least 200 years. The quarries
are home to several plant species that
thrive in the limestone environment and
the highly alkaline conditions created
by the remains of the lime industry.
The route is generally easy-going, but
with some short steeper parts. At the top
of the site you will find interpretation
boards describing the history and geology
of the quarries. A dial-up or downloadable
audio trail will conjure up the past as
characters tell of their lives working
in the quarries.
The quarries are owned by the Brecon Beacons
National Park Authority and are located
on open access land. Please be aware that
the land is a wildlife habitat and is used
for grazing livestock. In order to protect
nesting birds, lambs and sheep, dogs must
be on a fixed lead whenever livestock are
near, and at all times from 1 March to
31 July.
OS grid reference
OS Landranger 160, Explorer map OL12 – SN733187
How to get there
The Black Mountain Quarries
are accessible by car or bicycle from the
A4069 between Brynaman and Llangadog. The
site also lies close to the Beacons Way
path approximately half way between Llanddeusant Youth Hostel and Carreg
Cennen (www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/national-park/the-beacons-way). The
nearest train station is at Llangadog, on the Heart of Wales Line (approximately
10 miles from the site). For up to date travel information and timetables,
visit www.traveline-cymru.info or
phone 0871 200 2233.
Nearest town or village
Brynaman is about than 4 miles southbound
on the A4069.
Llangadog is about 10 miles northbound on the A4069.
Both villages have shops and pubs.
Parking
There are two large free car parks both
a short stroll from the quarries.
Accessibility
There is a way-marked self-guided trail
around the site. The route follows existing
tracks and paths. Some of this ground is
rough grassland and rocky terrain. The
grass and exposed rock can be slippery
when wet. Spoil heaps and scree slopes
are unstable underfoot and should not be
climbed.
The quarries are owned by the Brecon Beacons
National Park Authority and are located
on open access land. Please be aware that
the land is a wildlife habitat and is used
for grazing livestock. In order to protect
nesting birds, lambs and sheep, dogs must
be on a fixed lead whenever livestock are
near, and at all times from 1 March to
31 July.
The weather on the Black Mountain can
be harsh and unpredictable. Be prepared;
check the weather forecast and take suitable
clothing and waterproofs with you. There
is decent mobile phone signal throughout
the site however there may not be full
data connection.
Stay safe while walking
in the Brecon Beacons National Park by
reading these
guidelines.
Audio trail
You can listen to the audio trail using
your mobile phone and following the instructions:
Call 01269 333123 (English) or 01269 333123
(Welsh)
If you are able to access the internet while you are on the trail, you can listen to the audio commentaries below or alternatively download the zip folder which contains all ten of the audio files before you set off so that you can listen to them without a broadband signal whilst on the walk.
Trail Guide
Guide leaflets and booklets
are available at Brecon Beacons Tourist
Information Centres or can be obtained
from Dyfed Archaeological Trust or the
Black Mountain Centre in Brynaman.
Click
here to download a pdf of the trail leaflet.
Click here to
download a pdf of the Black Mountain Quarries
booklet.
Display
A multimedia
display and other information
about the quarries is available at the Black Mountain Centre, open Monday to
Friday from 9am-2.00pm. Please see the
website ( www.brynaman.org.uk )
for further information.
