Cwm Llwch Horseshoe, Brecon Beacons (Dec)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.



Distance 11.1km (7 miles)
Total ascent 640m
Time 6 hours
Start/finish Cwm Gwdi car park (SO024248)
Terrain rough and boggy paths over high mountains; short section of quiet road at the end. 

Public transport buses to Llanfaes www.travelinecymru.info 

SO024248 Continue uphill from the car park and pass an information plinth before crossing a stile that leads into a field. Walk along the right-hand side of this field towards the top right-hand corner and then bear left to continue along the fence to another stile. This leads onto a broad, faint grassy track that leads into Cwm Gwdi; gradually becoming a better-defined stony track as it goes. This then swings slightly left and starts to climb steeply. Continue straight ahead, up towards the head of Cwm Gwdi, ignoring a few right forks, until the path eventually levels out a little on the broad ridge of Cefn Cwm Llwch. 

SO019234 Continue easily along the ridge towards the summit ahead enjoying great views both east and west over the parallel cwms of Cwm Llwch and Cwm Sere. The track steepens considerably as you reach the foot of the peak, offering a fine viewpoint of the northeast face of Pen y Fan, which plummets into Cwm Sere. Keep straight ahead to climb steeply up a series of sandstone steps to reach the summit, which is now adorned with a National Trust plaque.

SO011215 Enjoy the top, and the amazing views, then bear right to follow the escarpment edge along. The path drops slightly into a shallow saddle and then climbs again onto the twin summit of Corn Du. Continue to the cairn – more great views and some steep and scary drops to the northwest too – then bear left for a few paces, away from the drop, to locate a steep path that wriggles down through some rocky outcrops onto easier ground below. Bear sharp right onto the obvious path and continue down beneath the peak.

SO006213 Continue down the hill, with great views over Llyn y Cwm Llwch, and pass the rather touching Tommy Jones obelisk perched above the steep crags of Craig Cwm Llwch. Continue to a fork and take the right-hand option to drop steeply around a dogleg and over moraine banks to reach the shores of Llyn y Cwm Llwch – a perfect place for a quick break. 

SO001220 A clear track follows the outflow stream north from here. Take this and follow it down over easy ground to cross a stile in a wall that leads onto a broad farm track. Stay with this all the way down to a gate in front of a building and climb the stile on the left. Cross the compound and climb another stile, then follow waymark posts around to the right where you’ll join another track, beyond the building. Bear left on to this and follow it down, over a footbridge, to a large parking area. Keep straight ahead through a gate and onto a road, which leads to a T-junction. Turn right and cross the bridge then continue for nearly 2km to another T-junction. Turn right and walk uphill back to the car park.