Black Hill (Cat's Back) from Olchon Valley
Herefordshire
Black Hill is the easternmost outlier of the Black Mountains, a long, narrow ridge of Old Red Sandstone reaching 640 metres near Craswall on the Welsh border, a proper hill day for a fit dog mostly on a lead among grazing stock. Seen from Herefordshire, its humped profile has earned it the local name of the Cat's Back, and the walk from the small car park at the southern tip of the ridge follows a clear path up a rocky, knife edge crest with steep drops into the Olchon Valley on one side and the Monnow on the other. The ground changes from rock and turf on the narrow ridge to gentler, peaty going near the summit trig point, a round trip of around 8km with roughly 350 metres of ascent. Longer days can extend north along Offa's Dyke Path towards Hay Bluff.
This is a dog friendly hill walk, and the open access common along the ridge gives a dog with good recall genuine freedom on the wider stretches, though the exposed, rocky knife edge crest calls for more caution and a lead there. Sheep, ponies and cattle graze the common, so dogs need to be kept under close control, especially lower down where livestock is more likely. There is little shelter or water on the exposed ridge, so carry water for a dog and expect strong winds even on calm days lower down. Parking is limited to a handful of spaces at the southern end, reached by narrow lanes from Longtown, which has a dog-friendly pub for afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on the hill; a dog-friendly pub in Longtown, a short drive away.
- Parking
- Small parking area (about 6 cars) at the southern tip of the ridge, free, reached via narrow lanes from Longtown.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Black Hill (Cat's Back) from Olchon Valley, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in HerefordshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Black Hill (Cat's Back) from Olchon Valley dog friendly?
Black Hill is a dog-friendly hill walk with a rating of 7 out of 10, though it suits a fit dog and an attentive owner rather than a casual stroll. The open access common along the ridge gives dogs room to move, and there's a dog-friendly pub in nearby Longtown for a well-earned pint at the end of the day.
Can dogs be off lead at Black Hill (Cat's Back) from Olchon Valley?
Dogs can have some off-lead freedom on the wider, gentler stretches of the open access common, provided they have solid recall. The narrow, rocky knife-edge crest with steep drops into the Olchon Valley and Monnow calls for a lead, and dogs should be kept under close control throughout due to sheep, ponies and cattle grazing the common — particularly lower down where livestock tends to be more concentrated.
What should I know before visiting Black Hill (Cat's Back) from Olchon Valley with my dog?
This is a proper hill day — around 8km with 350 metres of ascent — so it's best suited to a fit dog. There's no water or shelter on the exposed ridge, so carry water for your dog and be prepared for strong winds even when it feels calm in the valley below. Parking is limited to roughly six cars at the southern tip, reached via narrow lanes from Longtown, so an early start is a good idea on busy days.
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What’s Nearby?
Attraction0.7 mi awayLongtown Castle
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A thick walled round keep on a high mound in the Olchon valley, free and open, with Offa's Dyke Path on the ridge above for a real walk with your dog.
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A quiet Golden Valley circuit climbing from the River Dore to a solo Neolithic burial chamber on an open hilltop — one of Herefordshire's most atmospherically sited prehistoric monuments.
Hay Bluff and the Gospel Pass
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Unfenced Black Mountains ridge above Hay-on-Wye with the highest road in Wales at the col and sweeping views in every direction — wild, exposed, and best saved for a clear dry day.
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Atmospheric ridge walking with good off-lead potential on the open plateaus, though narrow sections and real weather exposure require planning and close control.
Walk7.7 mi awayBrecon Beacons: Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr
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A long, demanding Black Mountains horseshoe over two of the highest peaks in the range, a dog friendly mountain walk on remote and often boggy ground.
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A steep climb for dogs on a lead through ancient woodland to the whaleback summit of the Skirrid, an Iron Age hillfort with views over Abergavenny.