Brecon Beacons, Libanus

The starting point for this ramble is the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus where there is good parking, together with a cafe / restaurant and a disabled toilet.

Ramble: The route forms a figure of eight which allows for a return to the Visitor Centre for lunch and to make use of the toilet facilities if needed. This ramble is not suitable for manual wheelchairs. From the Visitor centre, head north-east across a common using a track which rises gently to meet a minor road. Crossing the road, continue in the same direction, going downhill for a short distance before heading uphill again.

Caution ! - Parallel tracks exist: take the right-most route to reach the summit of Twyn y Gaer, an ancient hill fort. (NOTE: the right hand path is recommended both for climbing and the descent, as the alternative routes become dangerously steep at the top and are not recommended !)

The views from the top are spectacular, and, on a clear day, you will see Pen y Fan, the Black Mountains in the east and The Black Mountain in the west. Retracing your steps back to the minor road, follow the road south westwards for about a mile before turning left along another minor road which will bring you back to the Visitor Centre for lunch. You can buy a range of hot and cold meals (and drinks) that are freshly prepared at the centre. There is a large picnic area where you can relax over lunch and enjoy the fine views of the Brecon Beacons.

After lunch, head south west along a track that takes you to the Site of Special Scientific Interest at Traeth Mawr. Bear right on to a smaller track, then turn right to cross the area, reaching the same minor road that was used earlier in the day, and turn northeast to make your way back to the Visitor Centre.

Scenery: Open Moorland

How to get there! If you are travelling from the south on the A470 from Merthyr Tydfil, just as you are approaching the village of Libanus, look out for the signs for the Visitor Centre. Turning sharp left onto a much narrower road, the centre is just over a mile.

If travelling from the east or the west from the western end of the Brecon bypass, take the A470 signposted Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff. Just after you pass through the village of Libanus, look out for signs for the Visitor Centre. Turning right onto a much narrower road, the centre is just over a mile.