Pen y Fan. October 2016

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.


Visible from miles around, Pen y Fan sits above Brecon in south Wales. Its distinctive shape draws tourists from all over, and for good reason: it’s a great walk. Cefn Cwm Llwch is a beautiful long and rolling ridge that climbs straight onto the summit of Pen y Fan itself. If you take this route you’ll miss out Corn Du, but you’ll also avoid the crowds approaching via the popular southern tracks. Starting from Brecon, this walk boasts fabulous views of the Beacons themselves as well as out to the Black Mountains on the western side of the National Park. You’ll get some good climbing in short, sharp bursts with an element of exposure as you approach and descend the two summits. Try to stick to the paths where you can; the National Trust has done a lot of work to them and resown grass to prevent erosion. Do this route early in the morning or in the evening, and you could even have the summit to yourself. You get a fabulous sunset from the summit of Pen y Fan – so watch the forecast for a chance to catch the mountain at its absolute best!

Distance 10.7km (6½ miles)

Total ascent 839m

Time 3 hours

Start/Finish layby at SO023247

Nearest town Brecon 

Terrain generally very good paths, but hands may be needed in parts due to exposure on ascents and descents of summits.

Accommodation The Wellington, Brecon (01874) 625225; YHA Brecon Beacons (formerly YHA Llwyn-y-Celyn) 0845 371 9029

Public transport none to the start of the walk

Tourist info Brecon TIC, Cattle Market car park (01874) 622485

Best pub The Wellington (see above)

SO023247 Go through the gate by the layby and follow the track up the side of the fence. After about 20m a sheep track veers off to cut across the field to the gate in the top corner. Go through the gate and continue to follow the track straight ahead. Veer right to the stony path that climbs the side of Twyn Cil-rhew (marked as track not footpath on the map). Keep following this path and it will take you straight up onto the ridge. You’ll come to a large flat stone on the path, an ideal resting point, not long before you reach the back of the ridge itself where you should keep to the path along the left-hand side. Enjoy the views before a short and very steep haul onto the summit itself. The path is loose and stony so watch your footing.

SO012215 Stick to the left side of the summit plateau and you’ll come to the path down, directly opposite the ridge you’ve just walked up. It’s not an obvious path until you’re right upon it. Take the path down, cross the large puddle and walk straight up Cribyn. The path is good and solid so please stick to it to help avoid erosion.



SO023213 As soon as you reach the summit of Cribyn, turn to your left and you will find the path down onto Bryn Teg ridge. This is very steep, loose in places, slippy when wet and has a fair amount of exposure. This steepness is short-lived and the ridge soon flattens out. It’s much broader but boggier than Cefn Cwm Llwch. Keep following the back of the ridge until the path merges with a byway to the right and you come to a gate.



SO036235 Go through the gate and down the rocky track until you reach a road. Bear left and follow the road until you cross a bridge. Continue on the road up the incline on the other side then turn left at the top. About 50m down the track take the footpath over the stile on the right. Follow the left-hand side of the field to the far gate. Cross the second field to the stile, which lies halfway up its far side. You’ll follow the tree-lined path until you reach the house, Plas-y-gaer. Once past the house turn left then right and follow the farm track. As the track bends to the right you’ll see a path turning left. Follow this until you’re on the edge of the hill again.

SO030247 You’ll reach a gate onto the hill. Turn to your right once you’re through it, and follow the fence until you come into a beautiful wooded area. The path will cross a stream and immediately kicks back in a U-turn to the right. It’s not obvious. In fact, the path appears to go straight on but you’re aiming to cross the bridge over the river low down behind you to your right. Keep looking down and back and you’ll clearly see it. Cross the bridge and follow the path. You’ll come back onto the road you’ve parked on.