Pen y Fan

A circular hike which allows easy access to Pen y Fan (886 m); the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons and South Wales. A walk through stunning landscapes, surrounded by sheep.
Very busy intinerary in high season.

Technical sheet

173955
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 479 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 473 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 874 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 441 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start the hike from the car park opposite Storey Arms Centre (on the A470, 15-20 minutes from Brecon).

(S) Cross the road, pass the gate and make your way uphill due north-west keeping the forest on your right-hand side.

After thirty odd minutes you'll start to see the Corn Du (873 m), the first peak of the day. However, you'll need to head downhill over 5 m and cross a ford in order to reach it.

(1) From the stream, the slope is steeper but is not difficult (wide track).

(2) Approximately 30 minutes later, you'll come across a large ridge overlooking a vast cirque and the outskirts of Brecon laying at the back of the fields. You can spot a beautiful lake further down to your left, Llyn Cwm Llwch, and to your right, behind Corn Du, Pen y Fan. You'll also notice sheep climbing on impressively steep slopes that would make even ibexes jealous!

The path continues to the right heading south-east up the ridge reaching Corn Du.

(3) At the top of Corn Du, keep going along the ridge due north-east. The trail goes down a few metres reaching a pass then heads up again reaching Pen y Fan.

(4) The view must be breath-taking from Pen y Fan... unfortunately, we were surrounded by fog so didn't get that chance to see it...

(5) You'll get to another pass by an intersection. Follow the main path which heads down the mountain side due south-west. It's a quick descent which leads you to the initial forest to the left.

(6) After crossing a bridge over the stream, you'll get to a car park on the edge of the A470. Head up the track which goes along the forest (north-west) reaching your starting point within a few minutes.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 442 m - Car park opposite the Storey Arms Centre
  2. 1 : km 1.43 - alt. 551 m - Foré
  3. 2 : km 2.67 - alt. 756 m - Ridge
  4. 3 : km 3.06 - alt. 863 m - Corn Du
  5. 4 : km 3.58 - alt. 874 m - Pen y Fan
  6. 5 : km 4.46 - alt. 800 m - Collar
  7. 6 : km 6.64 - alt. 441 m - South car park
  8. S/E : km 7.49 - alt. 442 m - Arrival car park

Practical information

No water points.

Beware weather conditions can shift rapidly and wind can get rather strong. Remember to bring warm clothes.

The hike follows a large trail throughout most of the route, but don't forget good hiking boots.

In the nearby area

Beautiful landscapes with lots of sheep... but also lots of hikers!

Stunning 360° panoramic view at the top, depending on weather...

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
PA12
PA12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk in a magnificent setting with an exceptional viewpoint at the finish. It was very busy when we did it, especially between points 4 and 6 (a very popular out-and-back). The ascent in the direction described is a little steeper but allows you to take it easier. No difficulty, done in 3 hours in no hurry (without the breaks).

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Chris92
Chris92

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's a superb hike, accessible to everyone (there's just a small steep incline at the end, and it's still not for very young children or pushchairs!) And that's the problem: you really must try to avoid weekends or school holidays and start the climb as early as possible, as it's a very, very popular hike. It's best to do it on a clear day, of course, as the 360° view from the top is absolutely magnificent.
There's no risk of getting lost (except perhaps in thick fog, which I've heard happens quite often!).
It is entirely possible to do it in the opposite direction, in which case the climb may be gentler and more gradual.
The estimated time is just about right.
Thank you for the description and the map

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sgerard6
sgerard6

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice walk, even if the weather wasn't exceptional.
There was a downpour at the start of the climb and we found ourselves in the mist!
Fortunately, the rain stopped and the mist dissipated as quickly as it had arrived.

The scenery, both on the way up and at the summit, is superb.
The description and map were very helpful. We followed the notes to the letter and it really helped our progress.

Thank you so much.

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Pascal Goutier
Pascal Goutier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The view from the top (the weather was fine) is breathtaking. Very beautiful green cliffs in sight. Easy parking in one of the 2 car parks.

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luludu70
luludu70
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

As there was no space at the start car park, we parked at the finish car park. But we followed the route as described, and we were right to do so. It's a good climb, but there are no particular difficulties. The scenery is magnificent. We weren't alone, a veritable motorway of hikers. When we reached the top, the 360-degree view was splendid. Mountains, greenery, sheep, lakes.... the descent is less pretty but easy. And we came back down with some magnificent landscapes engraved in our heads.

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