Cusop Hill Circular

From the Doorstep of Elmsleigh

http://www.elmsleigh-hay.co.uk

Turn left out of Elmsleigh and left again upon leaving Thirty Acres.

At the top of the road, enter the grounds of St. Mary's church by the first gate at the top of the short elevated footpath. Walk around the right hand side of the church, then the path goes under a couple of large yew trees to gate into the field behind the church.

Turn right and walk through the meadow; there is no defined path, but look for the stile at the top right of the field.

Keep right initially through the next field, then as the field opens up, walk through the meadow to the stile at the top of the field, right of centre. Again, there is not much of a defined path through the meadow.

The White House

Walk up a short steep slope to a sheep track and then walk towards the derelict 'White House', as it is known locally. There is a track through the ferns to the right-hand corner of the White House.

The Yellow Bulldozer

Turn left in front of the White House and follow the track around the hill. There are great views over the valley. Try to spot Elmsleigh B&B in the near distance beyond a copse of tall trees.

Follow the fence on the right, then look out for a stile, partially hidden by a tree. The stile is before the gate at the end of the field.

After this stile until joining the road at the top of the hill, there are ground-nesting Skylarks, which are an RSPCB red-listed rare species. They are a joy to listen to but often hard to spot, being a small brown bird, somewhat larger than a sparrow but smaller than a starling. Keep dogs close on their leads and stick to the paths.

Climb straight up, spot the path's marker post, then bear right and head towards the abandoned yellow bulldozer. Double back and rejoin the path up the hill, walking to the right of the small quarry.

Follow the track, generally keeping right on the way up towards the escarpment at the top right of the field, looking for a stile.

Spectacular Views of Hay Bluff

Head straight up the hill to a sheep feeder on a minor crest and enjoy the impressive views of Hay Bluff and Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob).

Turn right and walk along the ridge a little way, there are some convenient rocks just below the ridge to sit and enjoy the view.

As the ridge starts curving to the right, turn left and head back towards the summit.

Skylarks

Listen out for and try to spot Skylarks - they tend to hover, then drop directly to ground. You can usually hear many Skylarks all over this moor.

Cusop Hill Summit

There is another sheep feeder and then a stile into the next field.
Turn right to follow the fence; the actual summit is just to the right on the other side of the fence.

At the corner of the fence, continue following sheep track to a small pile of stones and then turn left, again folowing a sheep track turn left towards until you meet a raised dirt track. Turn left onto the track, head towards the stile/gate, which exits onto the road in front of a copse of trees.

Beautiful Horses

Turn right along the road for a short way to the next stile and signpost into a field on the right.

There are often some beautifully groomed horses in this field.

Head straight down the field, keeping to the right of a cluster of trees on a farm track that is frequently used by tractors. You'll be heading just to the right of Hay Bluff.

Follow the farm track, which may get very muddy, to a gate/stile.

On the other side of the gate the track continues through a sheep field before dropping down to the left into the trees.

Overgrown Woody Path

Just before a derelict building, there is a signpost directing you up and behind the building. It's easy to miss. The path heads through a wood; the path itself is often overgrown with stingy nettles and low hanging branches. It winds arouund the hill with a fence to the left.

Pass a dry stone wall on the right and then shortly after the path exits the woods into a field of ferns, which can grow high in the summer.
Keep a look out for birds of prey circling Cusop Hill above to the right.

Back to Civilisation

Follow the track downhill to a signpost and then join another farm track. Turn right down the track through a gate. Traverse the hill across a field to a stile, with a stream just on the other side.

After crossing the stream, bear left down to the farm buildings. Through the gate, you may encounter a few farm dogs running free.

Rejoin the road at the cartwheel which leans against the wall, then turn down the hill.

Dulas Brook s the Welsh English Border

You will hear Dulas Brook before you see it and you'll get glimpses of Cusop Dingle to the left, before the farm road eventually meets it at a cattle grid.

Waterfalls

Turn right down the Dingle; there are waterfalls on the left  by the idyllic Paper Mill Cottage. Pass the Rose Cottage Acupunture Centre, then continue straight on down the Dingle at Lower House.

There is another waterfall on the left and in the mornings and evenings there is a chorus of birdsong in the air.

Return to Elmsleigh

Turn right before Rosedale B&B up the hill towards Trewen Activity Centre and St. Mary's church.

Turn left into Thirty Acres and Elmsleigh is just around the horseshoe.