Brecon Beacons, Wales

Brecon Beacons, Wales The Brecon Beacons are a mountain range running through South Wales, including the two highest peaks in the region, Pen y Fan and Corn Du. Pen y Fan (“the top peak”) has…

31 Jan 20 · 3 mins read

Brecon Beacons, Wales

The Brecon Beacons are a mountain range running through South Wales, including the two highest peaks in the region, Pen y Fan and Corn Du. Pen y Fan (“the top peak”) has an elevation of 886 metres, and the walk up features a sandstone footpath. Corn Du is the second highest peak in South Wales at 873 metres. Both summits are quite similar—flat and anvil-shaped—and both marked by a Bronze Age cairn. The burial cairns dotting Brecon Beacons speak to the legacy of the prehistoric Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements that once thrived in this area.

The mountain range is in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, which also includes the Black Mountains (Y Mynyddoedd Duon) to the east, the similarly named Black Mountain (Mynydd Du) to the west, and the Fforest Fawr (Great Forest), an extensive upland area in Powys, Wales that used to serve as a royal hunting area.

A walking tour of Brecon Beacons provides breathtaking views and scenery on any walking route or on the numerous cycling routes. In addition to the national park, Brecon Beacons is also home to two National Trails and various pathways that offer tranquil ways through country lanes, beautiful waterfalls, and amazing wilderness.

Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall Brecon Beacons National Park
Sgwd-yr-Eira Waterfall, Brecon Beacons National Park

The Henrhyd Falls and Nant Llech walking trail takes you on an adventurous walk to the highest waterfall in South Wales. Henrhyd Falls falls from a height of 27 metres, and this walk follows a footpath through a trail of sessile oak and ash trees on the side of the valley.

Of course, those who want a more strenuous exercise through the national park should take the Pen y Fan and Cor Du circular walk, a scenic mountain walk to the high peaks of South Wales. It’s a steady climb up a well-made footpath, and the saddle between the summits of Corn Du and Pen y Fan offers fantastic views of the green valleys and reservoir above the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil. From here is a final push to the summit of Pen y Fan, which surely will give any Welsh visitor a sense of achievement for scaling South Wales’ highest summit.

reservoir in the brecon beacons wales
A reservoir in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK

There is also an outdoor education centre in the Brecon Beacons mountain range called the Stoney Arms, a great place to begin your walks, or to spend time with loved ones and family.

Articles about Great Britain published by Odyssey Traveller

The following list of articles published by odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of Britain when visiting;

For all the articles published on Britain by Odyssey Traveller, please click through on this link to view.

External articles to assist you on your walk in Britain

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