Wild Trails Wales Guide: Five of the Best Mountain Walks in the Brecon Beacons

As always, with the Wild Trails Wales Guides, I’m looking to provide the answer to questions that I’m asked regularly. One which comes up often from friends is ‘can you recommend a great mountain walk in the Brecon Beacons’? So this guide is five of my favourite mountain walks across the Brecon Beacons National park. Some of these are walks we do on our Brecon Beacons Mountain Days guided trips, and others are just personal favourites. For a selection of more detailed route descriptions across Wales please check out our Wild Trails Wales Routes page.

So here are some beautiful mountain walks in the Brecon Beacons. Be sure to go prepared, see Adventure Smart for advice.

Pen y Fan from the North

Approaching Pen y Fan from the north really allows you to appreciate the grandeur of this mountain and it’s glacial escarpments and valleys. Beginning from the National Trust Cwm Gwdi (Pay & display) car park, follow the lane along to Cwm Llwch, and climb to reach the sparkly blue lake; Llyn Cwm Llwch, From there it’s a steep climb to Corn Du, then a skip along to the summit of Pen y Fan. Finally, descend via Cefn Cwm Llwch for fantastic views north over the countryside to Brecon and the Black Mountains.

Llyn y Fan Fawr, Fan Brycheiniog, Picws Du & Llyn y Fan Fach route

This is probably the best mountain day in the Brecon Beacons, offering two peaks, and not one, but two glacial lakes. Beginning either from the car park on the Llanddeusant side, or the narrow lane running north from Tafarn y Garreg, you’ll climb to the peaks of Fan Brycheiniog and Picws Du for panoramic views over Carmarthenshire and Swansea, the entire Brecon Beacons National Park, and the Epynt range to the north.

Central Beacons Horseshoe

If you want a really good leg stretch and to reach four of the most popular summits in the Brecon Beacons National Park, then the central Beacons Horseshoe walk might be the one for you. Begin from the Neuadd reservoir, climb first to Fan y Big, then descend the same way before climbing steeply to Cribyn. From here there is a further steep descent and climb to the highest point of the day, and indeed the highest peak in the National Park; Pen y Fan. The walk onwards to Corn Du will feel like a piece of cake from here, then it’s a simple and relaxing ridge walk along Craig y Fan Du before a steep descent back to the reservoir.

Waun Fach & Y Grib (Dragon’s Back)

Home to artists, writers and creatives, the Black Mountains may not offer the same dramatic glacial escarpments that can be seen in the central and western Beacons, but the views are sweeping and this walk reaches the third-highest peak in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Begin at the (honesty box) pub at Pengenffordd, and take the back lane, to head up to Pen Trumau and on to Waun Fach, the high point at 811m. From here, descend via the airy ridge of Y Grib, otherwise known as the Dragon’s Back. Enjoy!

Fan Hir

Fan Hir, meaning the long peak, is true to its name. Begin at the Tafarn y Garreg in Glyntawe, and it couldn’t be simpler to follow the escarpment from below, until you reach Llyn y Fan Fawr. Climb up to the summit via Bwlch Giedd, then follow the ridgeline all the way back along the top, dropping down next to the old sheep fold to cross the river back to the Tafarn y Garreg.

Looking for a guided mountain day in the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia or another part of Wales? Find a trip here.

Please note this guide is for 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.