Brecon Beacons Walks

One of three national parks in Wales, Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly the Brecon Beacons) is a wild place of open moorland, sharp mountain ridges and thundering waterfalls. Stretching from Llandeilo in the west to  Hay-on-Wye in the east, its majestic 520 square miles/1,347 square km receive more than 4.15 million visitors per year.

Pitchup’s outdoor enthusiasts love spending time in the Brecon Beacons, so we’ve compared notes and come up with four walks that area suitable for everything from an afternoon stroll to slightly more arduous outings through wild upland landscapes.

Can I walk anywhere in the Brecon Beacons?

The short answer to this question is pretty much yes; everywhere that you have the right to roam. This includes short hops along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal towpath, sections of the long-distance Beacons Way and challenging scrambles along the Dragon’s Back. Walks within the national park have been helpfully graded so you know what to expect before you set out.

The best walk in the Brecon Beacons

The ascent of Pen y Fan is the choice of Bannau Brycheiniog walks from Pitchup’s SEO Lead Tom Pool, for the amazing views over surrounding peaks And for anyone worried that this is more ‘hike’ than ‘walk’, there are four routes up the mountain, varying from gentle to pretty tough. The former, easier route is featured here.

Pen y Fan

Length: 4 miles/6.5km circular walk

Difficulty: Grade 2: easy

Time: 3-4 hours

Start: Pont ar Daf car park
Route: OS Maps

At 2,907 feet/886m high, Pen y Fan is the highest point in southern Britain, and its year-round popularity means that you’ll almost always be sharing its slopes with other walkers. However, this doesn't detract from the impressive surrounding scenery, as views are fabulous even in dull weather; you can see neighbouring Cribyn and Cadair Idris, with Sugar Loaf visible on the horizon. On clear days you may spot the Gower Peninsula and the Bristol Channel. 

This route approaches Pen y Fan from the south; it is well worn and you should have no difficulty following it. From the car park, cross the stream and climb up the slopes of Bwlch Duwynt, turning left onto the summit of Corn Du. The path then follows a ridge steeply down and up once again, crossing Blaen Taf Fawr stream before you reach the peak of Pen y Fan. When you’ve revelled in your sense of achievement on reaching the top, capture your moment with its backdrop of glorious panoramas – and then retrace your steps to Pont ar Daf car park.

Good to know: There’s a Bronze Age burial chamber atop Corn Du, now marked by a modern cairn built up by walkers, and another on Pen y Fan.

Other great walks in the Brecon Beacons

Here are Pitchup’s suggestions for a couple more Brecon Beacons walks where you’ll get to see medieval castle ruins and perhaps spot endangered wildlife without exhausting yourselves.

Llwyn-On Reservoir

Length: 3 miles/4.6km loop

Difficulty: Grade 2: easy

Time: 1.5 hours

Start: Garwnant Visitor Centre car park
Route: OS Maps

Fancy stretching your legs on a gentle amble round a reservoir? The circular track around scenic Llwyn-On is mainly on a compacted surface and has some soft gradients but no stiles – handy to know if you’re using a wheelchair or pushing a pram. Heading first through moss-coated forest, the path opens out for far-reaching views of the reservoir as you cross the imposing Victorian dam. You may get lucky and spot otters in the water, but you’ll almost certainly see wading birds like grebes and coots from the bird hide on the waterside.

Good to know: There is a handy picnic spot right by the visitor centre car park for refuelling before or after your walk.

Carreg Cennen Woods

Length: 1.5 miles/2.5km loop

Difficulty: Grade 3: moderate
Time: 1 hour
Start: Castell Carreg Cennen car park
Route: OS Maps

Short but quite demanding in places, with some steep gradients, rough terrain and narrow paths, this walk takes you to the imposing Castell Carreg Cennen on its limestone crag and then circumnavigates it through Coed y Castell oak woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest filled with the sound of birdsong. At 1,000 feet/305 metres above sea level, you’ll catch tantalising glimpses of the castle and the Black Mountains in the distance as you follow the clearly marked circular route; listen out for the mewing calls of red kites flying high above you as you walk, and enjoy the swathes of wildflowers in spring and summer.

Good to know: Do make time to explore Castell Carreg Cennen, the medieval stronghold of Welsh kings that was sacked in 1462 during the Wars of the Roses.

Walking in Waterfall Country

Possibly the crown jewel in a national park full of stunning scenery, Waterfall Country is tucked away in the south-west corner of the Brecon Beacons. A landscape in which the rivers Mellte, Hepste and Nedd-fechan converge in dramatic gorges peppered with waterfalls such as 90ft/27.5m Henrhyd Falls – reached on a challenging hike through the Nant Llech river valley – it is crisscrossed with walking trails for all levels of fitness.

Four Falls Trail

Length: 5.25 miles/8.4km circular trail
Difficulty: Grade 4: energetic
Time: 3-4 hours
Start: Gwaun Hepste car park (card payments only)
Route: OS Maps

This is one of Waterfall Country’s most popular routes and takes in four of its most spectacular waterfalls, including Sgwd Clun-Gwyn tumbling down mossy rock into the River Mellte gorge, and Sgwd yr Eira on the River Hepste, where you can actually walk behind the plunging torrent of water on an ancient drovers’ track.

From the car park at Gwaun Hepste, the waymarked trail leads from a valley into forest on a path that is relatively easy, but the side routes to each waterfall involve narrow, slippery tracks with uneven (often muddy) steps. Be careful near each individual waterfall as there are steep unguarded drops, and don’t be tempted to swim; the water is fast flowing and cold all year round.

Good to know: Due to the uneven gradients and steep steps, this route is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies – however, there are many accessible walks in the Brecon Beacons.

Planning your visit to Bannau Brycheiniog

The spectacular lowland and upland landscapes of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park offer an extensive network of bridleways and footpaths covering 1,230 miles/1,980km. Familiarise yourselves with the signs for various rights of way and please follow the Countryside Code on your visit.

When is the best time for walking in the Brecon Beacons?

All four seasons bring something special to walking adventures in the national park.

• There’s a very good reason why Brecon Beacons National Park is so wonderfully verdant and lush: the rainfall. November is the wettest month with an average precipitation of 87mm; April is usually the driest, receiving around 48mm.  

• Summer is the most popular time to visit the national park – you can look forward to longer days, clear skies, warmer temperatures and (hopefully) less rainfall. Obviously this is the time when the park can get more crowded, so consider going at other times of the year If you’re keen to dodge fellow visitors.

• Spectacular spring brings a blaze of bluebells, foxgloves and red campion to the wildflower meadows, while autumn sees woodlands aflame with bronze and gold – and both seasons are quieter than summertime.

• Snow-dusted winter is mainly the domain of experienced hikers on challenging trails in the Black Mountains, although shorter routes like the amble along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal are manageable in all weathers.

How to dress for your walk

Dress for all weathers in all seasons when you’re walking in the Brecon Beacons – the mountain landscapes can attract extreme weather any time of year.

• Always expect rain, whatever the season, so pack waterproof jackets and trousers and carry spare jackets, socks, hats and gloves in case of a soaking.

• The weather can change rapidly in the uplands, so wind- and water-proof upper layers are vital to go over comfortable and insulating bases like T-shirts, fleeces and trousers in breathable fabrics that absorb sweat.

• When you’re venturing into the mountains, wear worn-in waterproof walking boots with thick soles to support your ankles and grip on the terrain. Well-fitting socks can keep your feet dry and warm (avoid cotton as it soaks up moisture and can cause blisters).

• Left any vital gear at home? Kit is available at outdoor shops in Brecon, Crickhowell or Abergavenny. You can buy walking guides and maps at the National Park and Tourist Information Centre in Abergavenny and the National Park Visitor Centre in Libanus.

What to take on your walk

You won’t need much special equipment on relatively short walks in the Brecon Beacons, apart from a day pack (with a capacity of around 15 litres) carrying the following essentials:

• Water to keep hydrated and food to maintain energy levels.

• A fully charged phone for GPS and a map in case you have no signal.

• Sun protection and a hat in summer.

• A camera/phone to record the spectacular mountain and lakeland landscapes.

• Common sense – which means always checking the weather before you set out.

Where to park

There are pay-and-display car parks throughout the national park. Some only take card payments, while others require cash. Please stick to the official car parks and do not park on the roadside or in villages.