The Best of the Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales offers a variety of stunning walks that cater to different levels of fitness and experience. Here are some of the best walks, including their lengths, difficulty levels, nearby parking, must-see viewpoints, and refreshment stops.
The Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales offers a variety of stunning walks that cater to different levels of fitness and experience. Here are some of the best walks, including their lengths, difficulty levels, nearby parking, must-see viewpoints, and refreshment stops.
1. Pen y Fan and Corn Du
Length: 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Parking: Pont ar Daf car park (A470)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Pen y Fan, Corn Du, views over the Beacons and the Black Mountains
Refreshment Stops: The Storey Arms Centre (limited), nearby towns like Brecon for more options
2. Waterfall Country (Four Waterfalls Walk)
Length: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Parking: Cwm Porth car park (near Ystradfellte)
Must-see Viewpoints: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, Sgwd yr Eira
Refreshment Stops: The Angel Inn in Pontneddfechan, cafes in Ystradfellte
3. Llyn y Fan Fach
Length: 8 miles (12.9 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Parking: Llyn y Fan Fach car park (near Llanddeusant)
Must-see Viewpoints: Llyn y Fan Fach, Bannau Sir Gaer ridge, views over Carmarthenshire
Refreshment Stops: The Tanners Arms in Defynnog, cafes in Llangadog
4. Sugar Loaf Mountain
Length: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Parking: Sugar Loaf car park (near Abergavenny)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Sugar Loaf, panoramic views of the Black Mountains and Usk Valley
Refreshment Stops: The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, local cafes and pubs in Abergavenny
5. The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr)
Length: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Parking: Skirrid car park (near Llanvihangel Crucorney)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Skirrid, views over Abergavenny and the Black Mountains
Refreshment Stops: The Walnut Tree Inn, pubs in Llanvihangel Crucorney
6. Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge Walk
Length: 10 miles (16 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Parking: Storey Arms car park (A470)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summits of Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Fan y Big
Refreshment Stops: Cafes in Brecon, The Three Horseshoes Inn in Groesffordd
7. Hay Bluff and Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob)
Length: 7.5 miles (12 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Parking: Hay Bluff car park (near Hay-on-Wye)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Hay Bluff, views from Twmpa, panoramic views of Wye Valley and Black Mountains
Refreshment Stops: Cafes in Hay-on-Wye, The Baskerville Arms in Clyro
These walks offer a variety of scenic landscapes, from dramatic peaks and serene lakes to enchanting waterfalls and rolling hills. Each provides unique viewpoints and ample opportunities for rest and refreshment in charming local establishments.
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1. Pen y Fan and Corn Du
Length: 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Terrain: Steep and rocky paths, some loose stones
Parking: Pont ar Daf car park (A470)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Pen y Fan, Corn Du, views over the Beacons and the Black Mountains
Refreshment Stops: The Storey Arms Centre (limited), nearby towns like Brecon for more options
2. Waterfall Country (Four Waterfalls Walk)
Length: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Terrain: Mixed woodland trails, rocky and often muddy paths, some steep sections
Parking: Cwm Porth car park (near Ystradfellte)
Must-see Viewpoints: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, Sgwd yr Eira
Refreshment Stops: The Angel Inn in Pontneddfechan, cafes in Ystradfellte
3. Llyn y Fan Fach
Length: 8 miles (12.9 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Terrain: Rough, grassy paths, some boggy areas, steep ascent to the ridge
Parking: Llyn y Fan Fach car park (near Llanddeusant)
Must-see Viewpoints: Llyn y Fan Fach, Bannau Sir Gaer ridge, views over Carmarthenshire
Refreshment Stops: The Tanners Arms in Defynnog, cafes in Llangadog
4. Sugar Loaf Mountain
Length: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Terrain: Grass and heather moorland, some rocky paths, steady ascent
Parking: Sugar Loaf car park (near Abergavenny)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Sugar Loaf, panoramic views of the Black Mountains and Usk Valley
Refreshment Stops: The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, local cafes and pubs in Abergavenny
5. The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr)
Length: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Terrain: Woodland trails, grassy slopes, some rocky paths
Parking: Skirrid car park (near Llanvihangel Crucorney)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Skirrid, views over Abergavenny and the Black Mountains
Refreshment Stops: The Walnut Tree Inn, pubs in Llanvihangel Crucorney
6. Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge Walk
Length: 10 miles (16 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Terrain: Steep ascents and descents, rocky and grassy ridges, exposed paths
Parking: Storey Arms car park (A470)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summits of Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Fan y Big
Refreshment Stops: Cafes in Brecon, The Three Horseshoes Inn in Groesffordd
7. Hay Bluff and Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob)
Length: 7.5 miles (12 km) round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Terrain: Open moorland, grassy paths, some steep sections
Parking: Hay Bluff car park (near Hay-on-Wye)
Must-see Viewpoints: Summit of Hay Bluff, views from Twmpa, panoramic views of Wye Valley and Black Mountains
Refreshment Stops: Cafes in Hay-on-Wye, The Baskerville Arms in Clyro
These walks not only showcase the diverse beauty of the Brecon Beacons but also provide a variety of terrains to challenge and delight walkers of different skill levels.