This is a moderate walk, with 1 steep climb, through woods and farmland, taking in some of the beautiful countryside north of Usk, and returning along the east bank of the Usk. Given the need to study the copious directions, it may take longer than the time indicated above.

Leave the town square and turn right on the main road in the direction of Raglan and the A449. Opposite the fire station, take the lane signposted “Usk Castle”. Just after the car park (on the right) go through the small wooden gate to the right of the larger one. Take the lane up the hill, go through a metal gate (sometimes left open) and continue ahead. (The Blorenge and Sugar Loaf can be seen in the distance on the left.)

Bear slightly right at Castle Farm (shortly to see, off to the left, a rock with a blue plaque commemorating the Battle of Pwll Melyn in 1405) and in 60 metres go through a wooden gate (often left open). Go straight ahead, with a hedge on the left. At the end of the field go through the wooden gate (often left open) into Goats Wood and straight ahead up the broad track, which is sometimes very boggy but can be partly avoided by a loop path on the left. Follow the track uphill past a small pond on the left and shortly go through a metal gate. Go downhill with a wire fence on the left.

Cross another stile and head half left to 2 adjacent power-line poles. Continue in the same direction and go through a metal gate (often left open). Bear half left across the next field to a stile to the right of a metal gate (sometimes left open) in the hedge, which appears as you climb the slope. Head in the direction of the stile's foot plank to a line of trees. On reaching a small stream, follow it to the left for a short distance until you find a small wooden bridge (a railway sleeper) over the stream. (NB: This is invisible until you are very close as it is in a dip.) Cross the bridge and after 10 metres bear half left. After 50 metres go through a very narrow gap on the right between bramble bushes and cross 2 stiles very close together. Go straight ahead with trees on the right. Head for a telegraph pole, then right to a small wooden gate next to a garage. Turn left on the lane, soon ignoring a small lane which forks to the right.

Go downhill and just beyond the lane on the right marked "Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles" and before the large green shed, cross a stile on the right. Turn left and at the corner of the field cross a stile and continue by a wire fence and stream to the corner of the next field. Go through a metal gate and left to cross a stile, then straight on. At the far left corner of the field cross a small wooden bridge and stile. Turn right and then half left across the field, heading for tall conifers at the left edge of Ash Wood. Climb the deforested hillside, staying close to a very overgrown area and remnants of a barbed wire fence on the right. Turn right at a small clearing before the brow of the hill and left on to an indistinct path. After 25 metres cross a stile and turn left along the field edge. Follow the field edge a short way round to the right. Cross a stile and immediately another on the right. Turn left and go downhill with a hedge on the left. Cross 2 stiles at the corner of the field and turn left on a lane. After 90 metres cross a stile on the right, then go straight across the field to cross another stile. Head for the far left corner of the field and cross a stile. Turn right on the busy road and after 100 metres take a broad track on the left, where there is a green footpath sign.

Go through a metal gate and soon turn left at the end of the field and then right by an old corrugated iron barn. Continue on a broad track, with a huge array of solar panels on the left. After passing a wooden chalet on the right, go through a metal gate and follow the track. At the end of the solar panels enclosure go straight down the field, staying close to trees on the right. Where the line of trees ends, continue in the same direction until reaching the river. (NB: This is where the O.S. map and the Monmouthshire Council Website show the path but sometimes crops are planted over it, which can make it difficult to choose the best route.) Turn left on the riverbank and follow the obvious path to where it meets the road. Cross a stile and turn right. Walk parallel to the river, back into the town centre, turn left at the T-junction and return to the town square.

(A short optional detour is to take the path through the kissing gate just before the veterinary practice and walk along the river bank (Conigar Walk) as far as the bridge. Take the path up to the road and turn left to return to the town square.)

Shorter return route from point noted above:

Continue on the lane through a pleasant valley, eventually passing a farm at Upper Llancayo. Turn left on the road to Usk. Walk parallel to the river, back into the town centre, turn left at the T-junction and return to the town square.