Brecon Beacons Half Day Walk: Fan Nedd Circular
One of the quietest parts of the Brecon Beacons National Park, this area is only really visited in any number by those coming to see the standing stone, and the Army, for training. This is a lovely circular route with a peak to summit, phenomenal views over Heol Senni, over the west of the Brecon Beacons National Park, and east to Pen y Fan and Corn Du.
Need to Know
Best time to walk: All year round, though the road becomes dicey / sometimes impassable in snow and ice
Map: OS Explorer, OL12 for this route
Start: Maen Llia standing stone
End: Maen Llia standing stone
Distance / Time: 5.8km / 2.4 miles (2 hours approx)
Ascent / Descent: 270 metres
Transport / Parking: No reasonable public transport to this location sorry! There is roadside parking for a handful of vehicles next to the standing stone. The road is narrow and tractors may need to get past, please park responsibly.
Food / Drink / Supplies: The New Inn at Ystradfellte is the nearest pub. There is a small shop near Clun Gwyn bunkhouse, where there is also a kiosk sometimes open. Come prepared!
The Route
View route map (you will need an OS Maps online subscription to access it.)
Ascending the Eastern slope of Fan Nedd with Heol Senni behind
From the standing stone, head north along the lane until it starts to descend towards Heol Senni. Take a left and cross a stile at a large stone wall. Follow the wall uphill, keeping it on your right. Just before the ground steepens noticeably, there is a faint path branching off left away from the wall and uphill. Keep climbing until you reach a large stone cairn.
Stone cairn on the summit plateau of Fan Nedd
If you want to visit the summit trig point, which is about twenty metres higher than the stone cairn, head south-south-west to the trig point, then double back to the cairn. From the cairn follow a boggy trail north-west downhill, with fantastic views over neighbouring Fan Gyhirch and over to Fan Hir and Fan Brycheiniog beyond, in good weather.
Descending Fan Nedd, with views of Fan Gyhirch, Fan Hir, Fan Brycheiniog and Fan Foel in the distance.
Descending Fan Nedd towards Bwlch y Duwynt.
Descend towards Bwlch y Duwynt, until the gradient becomes shallower and the ground to your right flattens out towards a fence and wall. Cut over the grass north to reach the fenceline, turning to follow it eastwards, on a narrow pathway under the steep north escarpment of Fan Nedd, with the sculpted glacial valley of Blaen Senni to your left. This is part of the Cambrian Way.
The path below the north escarpment of Fan Nedd, above Blaen Senni. Photo courtesy Mari Owen.
Follow the fenceline / wall to where it rejoins the path that you climbed up at the beginning of the walk. Continue down the hill, with views over to Pen y Fan and Corn Du in the distance. When you reach the road, follow it south to return to the start.
Views of the twin peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du on the descent of Fan Nedd.
Please note this route is for information and inspiration only and we can’t be held responsible for any inaccuracies or problems arising. We advise you to take a paper map and compass and be able to use them. Please be Adventure Smart.