Brecon Beacons Hidden Gems

Despite its proximity to Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons/Bannau Brycheiniog National Park receives fewer visitors each year than its northern counterpart, Snowdonia/Eryri National Park. That said, the park generally welcomes around three million visitors annually, and they often cluster around rightfully popular attractions like Pen y Fan and the waterfalls of Pontneddfechan.

So, if you're coming to the Brecon Beacons in search of peaceful natural scenery, quieter attractions and uncrowded trails, where should you go? Here we've made a few suggestions for hidden gems that you might like to try during your break.

Secluded Natural Sites

The Brecon Beacons National Park covers 520 square miles of stunning natural landscapes, so even in high season you should be able to find some quiet space if you know where to look. 

Llyn y Fan Fach

In a remote location in the west of the park, Llyn y Fan Fach is a 10-hectare lake in a stunning spot at the foot of Picws Du. It’s a truly magical place too – especially if you take time to learn about the legend of the ‘lady of the lake’ before setting off. 

From the small car park, a four-mile moderately challenging circular trail takes you up to the lake and back. If you’re up for a longer hike, there’a also a nine-mile loop that takes in Llyn y Fan Fawr lake and the peaks of Fan Brycheiniog and Bannau Sir Gaer as well. This is a tougher prospect with more climbing involved, but the spectacular surroundings make it worth the effort.

Waun Fach

Pen y Fan is a perennially popular Brecon Beacons hike, but south Wales' highest mountain gets so crowded that locals often refer to the main path as 'the motorway’. For a much quieter alternative, head a little way north to the Brecon Beacons' second-highest mountain Waun Fach.

There are several trails you can follow here, and while they're not as defined as the routes up Pen y Fan they’re easy enough to follow for experienced hikers. The small car park behind the Dinas Castle Inn (pay in the honesty box) is a good place to start – from here you can head up past Dinas Castle onto the Dragon’s Back ridge for some fabulous views (including a good view of Pen y Fan) as you head up to the trig point. A tasty meal and a pint of local ale await back at the pub once you’ve finished the hike.

A few more places to try

• Llyn Cwm Llwch – a gorgeous glacier lake not far from Pen Y Fan and suitable for swimming

• Usk Reservoir – a quiet and remote lake in the west of the park with a five-mile shoreline trail and some excellent fishing

• Craig Cerrig-gleisiad – rocky and remote trails through and around a glacial valley with abundant wildlife

• Fan Gyhirych – a fairly easy walk most on forestry tracks a little way north of the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, with some fantastic mountain views

Historical Secrets

It's thought that people have been living in the Bannau Brycheiniog since the Stone Age – and the lack of extensive development in this area means that numerous historic sites from across the ages have been preserved to give 21st-century visitors a good glimpse into the past.

The area's castles – particularly those in or near towns – get a lot of visitors, so here we've picked out a couple of historic attractions where you're less likely to find crowds.

Maen Llia

Considering it’s only 30 metres away from the road running north from the popular ‘waterfall village’ of Ystradfellte, the Ancient Scheduled Monument Maen Llia gets relatively few visitors. The origins of the 3.7-metre-tall sandstone block are shrouded in mystery, but it is thought to date from the Bronze Age. 

Maen Llia is a scenic spot to visit – especially when it casts a long shadow across the colourful ground in the evening. If you'd like to make it part of a history-themed hike or drive, plan stops at nearby Llech Llia Henge and Maen Madoc standing stone as well.

Llanthony Priory

Tucked away in a remote corner of the Vale of Ewyas, close to the Wales/England border, Llanthony Priory is one of the finest surviving medieval buildings in Wales. The 12th-century priory was originally established as a hermitage by William de Lacy, who was looking to escape the ongoing conflict of the time. Over time, the land was consecrated and a magnificent church established – much of which still stands today.

De Lacy could barely have picked a more beautiful spot for his hideaway, with the river Honddu running past and the Black Mountains as a backdrop. It's open from 10am to 4pm, and it’s free to visit – so can become busy in high season. A good way to avoid the crowds is to include the priory on a walking trail, climbing up and away from the main site for gorgeous views and a more peaceful experience.

Local Farm Shops and Markets

Eating and drinking local produce is always a good way to get to know an area – the Brecon Beacons has lots of places where you can sample things that have been made right here in the park. The quality is often excellent – and as a bonus, buying from smaller independent suppliers means you'll be supporting local farmers rather than big businesses.

Keep an eye out for small stalls as you're driving through the park – you'll often spot farms selling eggs or veg from a small honesty box. Farm shops like the Beacons Farm Shop and The Old Railway Line are also good bets for a wide range of food and drink alongside local crafts.

Farmer’s markets are lively events in the area's towns as well, so it's worth checking the list of Brecon Beacons farmers' markets to find out if there’s one local to you.

Secret Tea Rooms

Whether you're hiking, biking or simply cramming in as many attractions as you can, no visit to the Brecon Beacons is complete without a stop for a cup of tea and a couple of Welsh cakes at some point. Most towns around here have independent cafés and tea rooms with freshly baked goodies – but here are a couple of hidden gems to look out for as you travel around.

• The Barn tea rooms – part of the farm at Carreg Cennen Castle, and a great spot for a snack after you've walked one of their trails

• Changing Seasons – within the grounds of Craig-y-Nos Country Park, this café has a spacious outdoor terrace with fabulous views

• The Old Barn Tea Room – a cosy and traditional tea room at the northern end of Pontsticill Reservoir, a handy spot for Taf Fechan Forest or the Brecon Mountain Railway

Artistic Enclaves

Handmade items like Welsh wool blankets and wooden lovespoons are popular souvenirs and gifts, and if you stop by at artisan collectives or local markets you'll often get to meet the people that made your item, and can tell you a bit about it.  

Talgarth Mill

The once-abandoned watermill at Talgarth Mill has been beautifully restored  since winning lottery funding in 2010, and it's now a thriving attraction where visitors can see the working watermill in action, buy fresh baked goods and see high-quality arts and crafts from a range of resident makers. 

Artisan Workshops

If you like your crafts to be a bit more hands-on, look out for demonstrations or workshops in local villages – many artisans run these from time to time to supplement their income. Sign up to join in and you'll not only learn something new but also help to support the vibrant arts scene in the Brecon Beacons. 

Have a look at Craft Courses to see some of the options available – including dry stone walling for those of you who like a different take on creativity.

Guided Night Walks

As a designated Dark Sky Reserve, the Brecon Beacons National Park is a fabulous place to explore after dark – and it's also usually a peaceful time, as most hikers and day trippers head home at sunset. 

Getting out for a night hike is a great way to experience a different side of the park, looking up to the stars and seeing nocturnal wildlife coming out. Stumbling around unfamiliar terrain in the dark is not such a great idea though, so you might like to check out the guided night walks offered by providers such as Quiet Walks or Wild Trails Wales.

Of course, if you're camping or glamping, you’ll be able to enjoy the starry skies from your accommodation – boost your chances of a stunning night-time view with our guide to stargazing in the Brecon Beacons.

Plan your trip

Ready to start planning your adventure in the Brecon Beacons? Camping and glamping are wonderful ways to escape the crowds, explore remote locations and soak up the scenery by day and night – and Pitchup has a great range of Bannau Brycheiniog campsites and glampsites to choose from.

For more ideas of unusual things to do in the Brecon Beacons, check out the activity list on the park’s website, or find a wide range of walking routes at All Trails.