Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons National Park is made up of four distinct upland areas: the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains, the Black Mountain and Fforest Fawr. The Brecon Beacons are the highest range of the group, and are considered the best hills in the southern UK.
| Terrain | National Trails | Long Distance Footpaths | OS Map |
|---|
| Hilly, some forest, some steep climbs. | Offa's Dyke Path | Taff Trail, Taith Torfaen, Usk Valley Walk, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Walk | Explorer OL11, 12, 13 |
Where to go
There are rounded contours of old red sandstone in the central Beacons, giving walking which is open in character with big skies to compliment the big hills.
By contrast, in the south of the Park, there are dazzling outcrops of carboniferous limestone, water-worn to form deep gorges, caves and, most famously of all, waterfalls.
There are comfortable routes and paths for walkers of all levels, as well as the wild, open spaces for which this Park is known and loved.
Highlights
Pen-y-Fan
Climbing to the highest point in the Brecon Beacons: the summit of Pen-y-Fan (grid ref SO 015215). There are many possible routes to the summit, but the most direct, and one of the easiest, starts and finishes at Pont ar Daf, south of Storey Arms.
The path itself presents little difficulty but it is strenuous and the summit is prone to mist and bad weather which can disorient you if you’re not prepared. You should wear sturdy footwear and take enough warm clothing for cooler conditions on the high ground.
Waterfalls of Ystradfellte
You can walk to a series of waterfalls along the Mellte and Hepste rivers, near Ystradfellte, including the renowned Sgwd-yr-Eira (the spout of snow).
Llangorse Lake
Llangorse Lake (grid ref SO135268) is the largest natural lake in south Wales, and it’s renowned as a breeding ground for wildfowl. The reed beds are a good place to spot dragonflies.
Twyn-y-Gaer
Enjoy breathtaking views over the high ground from The Brecon Beacons Mountain Centre, in Libanus, (grid ref SN99326) Walk to Twyn-y-Gaer for the best views. Route and map in What to see near the Mountain Centre leaflet, priced 70p from the centre.
Craig-y-Nos Country Park
Craig-y-Nos Country Park (grid ref SN845155), in the upper Tawe Valley. A Victorian castle amongst river meadows, woodlands and limestone outcrops (across the valley from the National Showcaves Centre).
Abergavenny
Abergavenny, in the east of the Park, is a good base from which to explore the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.e
Gospel Pass
Follow the footsteps of Bruce Chatwin from Capel-y-Ffin, into the mountains to the summit of the Gospel Pass (grid ref SO235355). At 1,778 feet, the Gospel Pass is the second highest road in Wales.
The Black Mountains
The most easterly peaks in the Brecon Beacons are the Black Mountains; tiny villages and churches set in a rolling green landscape of picturesque hills and valleys. Don’t mistake the area for the Black Mountain however; the Black Mountain (singular) is a spectacular wilderness environment in its own right, but the Black Mountains (plural) are a little less demanding for the laid-back walker.
The Black Mountains have long narrow valleys and isolated farms reminiscent of Bruce Chatwin’s novel On the Black Hill, which was based in the Crasswell area near Hay Bluff. The mountains rise above 2000ft. If you don’t want to climb the highest, Waun Fach, you can walk instead along the long, heath-covered ridges that cross the area – all of them have wonderful views.
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