Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales is made up of glacial valleys, broad mountains, lakes, reservoirs and waterfalls.
Hill walking is one of the top things to do in the Brecon Beacons. The highest peak in the Beacons, and in fact Southern Britain, is Pen y Fan which stands at 886m tall. This is easily the most popular mountain to hike in the Brecon Beacons, however the Park has many more hills to offer.
This guide describes 12 of the best Brecon Beacons walks on offer. I briefly outline each hike, including distance, difficulty and starting location.
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Walking In The Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons National Park is located in South Wales and is made up of four different areas. These sections of the park are known as the Central Beacons, Fforest Fawr, the Black Mountain and the Black Mountains. Fforest Fawr is a UNESCO Geopark.
A dedicated National Park since 1957, the Beacons are famed for their flat-top peaks, forestries, waterfalls and reservoirs. The name itself is derived from the fact that signal fires (or beacons) were lit on the peaks to warn others of possible invasions and that the main central area lies just south of Brecon town.
In 2023 the park officially changed its name to the original Welsh name Bannau Brycheiniog, translating to (King) Brychan’s Kingdom.
Born on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog, I’ve been lucky to call this National Park my backyard for 40 years. Read on to learn more and discover my personal favourite hikes!
12 Beautiful Hill Walks In The Brecon Beacons – A Quick Overview
In this guide I focus on the best mountain hikes in the Brecon Beacons, but if you want to explore the beautiful waterfalls this park has to offer, take a look at this guide to the best Brecon Beacons waterfall walks.
- The Brecon Beacons Horseshoe – Hike to South Wales’ highest peak
- Llyn y Fan Fach Loop – The best ridge walk in South Wales
- Craig Cerrig-Gleisiad – The best of Fforest Fawr Geopark
- Fan y Big Loop – Waterfalls and ridges in one hike
- Waun Rydd Loop – Explore the Central Beacons without the crowds
- Fan Nedd and Fan Gyhirych – The best for getting off the beaten path
- Sugar Loaf – Incredible views with very little effort
- Table Mountain Loop – The Best of the Black Mountains
- Tor y Foel via the Monmouth Canal – Fairly low-level walking
- Dragons Back Loop – Visit the highest peak in the Black Mountains and the highest castle in England and Wales.
- Skirrid Fawr Loop – The best ridge walk in the Black Mountains
- The Blorenge – A great walk for spotting wildlife
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Bannau Brycheiniog Hiking Routes
Hiking routes include the ever popular Pen y Fan, Llyn y Fan Fach, Sugar Loaf and the Four Falls.
Enjoy 35 beautiful hikes in Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) with the help of my pre-planned hiking routes. I have 35 beautiful hiking trails marked out on the free, offline app Maps.me. Simply download my pins into the app and choose which one of these epic hikes you’d like to enjoy!
A Guide To The Best Walks In The Brecon Beacons
Being born and bred in the South Wales town of Merthyr Tydfil, I have spent most of my life walking in the Brecon Beacons. It’s a beautiful area and I’m grateful to have grown up with this park on my doorstep.
There is a vast choice of great Brecon Beacons walks but in this post I wanted to share some of the best ones. By best I mean that they provide interesting walking routes with beautiful scenery along the way.
1. The Brecon Beacons Horseshoe
- Distance: 15.3km
- Time: 5 -7 hours
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Starting Point: Neuadd car park
- Map: OS Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Bagging the highest peak in Southern Britain
Pen y Fan is the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons National Park and for this reason it attracts many visitors. The most popular route to the top is from the A470 road at Pont ar Daf car park.
However, the best Pen y Fan hike is a full day hike that incorporates several of the surrounding peaks and is known as the Beacons horseshoe ridge walk.
Starting from the quieter Neuadd car park, the horseshoe trek ascends the ridge to the west and circles the Taf Fechan valley. This is a prime example of a steep sided glacial valley in the Brecon Beacons.
En-route hikers will summit the four peaks of Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big. As you might imagine, with all of these peaks to summit there is a lot of up and down on this hike, so be prepared!
For a full description of the Pen y Fan Horsehoe take a look at this guide and for all other routes to the summit of Pen y Fan, take a look at this post.
2. Fan Brycheiniog Loop (Llyn y Fan Fach/Fawr)
- Distance: 22 km
- Time: 7 – 8 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Starting Point: Tafarn-y-Garreg pub in Glyntawe
- Map: OS Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Spectacular ridge walking
This is easily my favourite Brecon Beacons walk, as it has epic ridge walking, glacial lakes and superb mountain views. This walk is in the Black Mountain area, in the west of the National Park. The mountain range is the location of several aircraft crash sites including the Wellington Bomber on Carreg Goch and the Vampire Jet on Fan Hir.
From the Tawe Valley the hike climbs steeply up a grassy hillside to the first peak, Fan Hir. There is a drop into the saddle before climbing back up to Fan Brycheiniog and then onto Fan Foel at the end of the ridge.
At Fan Foel turn to the west to drop into another saddle, before ascending the next ridge of Bannau Sir Gaer (Picws Du). Continue around and down to the first lake, Llyn y Fan Fach.
The return section skirts along the steep escarpments past a second lake, Llyn y Fan Fawr, and along the valley back to the car park.
This is a truly epic mountain day and one not to be missed! The walk can be shortened to 13.2 km, through doing an out and back hike to Fan Foel. For detailed trail descriptions on 5 different hikes in the Black Mountain range, click here!
3. Craig Cerrig-gleisiad
- Distance: 11.2 km
- Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting Point: A470 lay-by, 3 km north of Storey Arms
- Map: OS Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Exploring the best of Fforest Fawr Geopark
The perfect option in the Central Beacons for a gradual climb and amazing views of Pen y Fan.
From the car park take the trail to the right and walk around the mountain rather than heading directly up the hill. Traverse right around to the backside of the mountain and begin the gradual ascent to Fan Frynych summit.
As you near the top you’ll be rewarded with the best views of Corn Du and Pen y Fan from anywhere in the park. From the summit turn right to circle around the north face of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad Nature Reserve and descend back down to the road.
This easy to moderate Brecon Beacons hike provides great views and nature without the crowds of nearby Pen y Fan.
Related Reading
4. Fan y Big Loop (From Blaen y Glyn)
- Distance: 11 km
- Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting Point: Upper Blaen-y-glyn car park
- Map: OS Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Waterfalls and ridges
This hike gets straight into the thick of it with a steep ascent from the car park, with a small waterfall marking the start of the trail. However, once up on the ridge, it’s a gradual climb to Fan y Big with beautiful views on offer the whole way.
An easy option from Fan y Big is to simply retrace your steps back to the car park. However, for a more interesting loop, head off the summit in the direction of Cribyn and Pen y Fan. Join onto the old Roman Road and head south, down the Taf Fechan valley.
Upon reaching the end of the Neuadd Reservoir and before rejoining the road, branch off to the left and join a forestry road. Continue along through the forestry until you reach the road. It’s then a short walk along the road to the car park.
This walk in the Brecon Beacons offers waterfalls, ridges, glacial valleys, reservoirs and forestries. What more could you want?
For more hiking routes of Fan y Big, see this guide.
5. Waun Rydd Summit from Talybont
- Distance: 12.5 km
- Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting Point: Talybont car park on the west side of the reservoir
- Map: OS Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Enjoying the Central Beacons without the crowds
From the car park, cross the road and take the footpath that leads directly up the mountain. Follow the path past the forestry, up the shoulder and onto the ridge. Don’t forget to look back every now and then to appreciate views over Talybont Reservoir.
Before climbing up from the ridge, branch off to the left to contour around the mountain. When the path begins to descend, turn right to walk around the western flank of Waun Rydd. A short distance later make the short descent down to the crash site memorial below. This memorial marks the point where a Canadian bomber crashed into the mountain during bad weather in July 1942.
For an alternative hike dedicated to seeing this crash site, take a look at this article.
Continue along the path in a northerly direction until you reach the Bwlch, where views stretch across to Pen y Fan and the other peaks that make up the Beacons Horseshoe. Turn right and follow the path in an easterly direction to the summit of Waun Rydd.
From the summit, take the path that bears to the left, and onto a ridge that runs down to Talybont Reservoir. Follow this scenic ridge down to the road and then walk along the road to the car park.
This is one of the best Brecon Beacons walks to avoid the crowds and for learning a little history at the same time.
6. Fan Nedd and Fan Gyhirych
- Distance: 10 km
- Time: 3.5 – 4 hours
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- Starting Point: Lay-by on Sam Helen 500m north of Maen Llia standing stone
- Map: OS Explorer OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Getting off the beaten path
This might be the hidden gem of the Brecon Beacons! Located smack bang between the more well known areas of the Central Beacons and the Black Mountain, this is a hike to escape the crowds and get off the beaten path.
Climb the style to access a path that follows the old stone wall up towards Fan Nedd. After 1 km take the left fork to climb the shoulder of the mountain. The trig point and true summit is a little further on from the rock cairn.
From the trig point return to the cairn and follow the path down to the left. At the bottom of the valley the path then continues straight ahead, up towards to the next summit of Fan Gyhirych. There is a gravel road a third of the way up, but cross over that and continue walking along a footpath along the ridge until you reach the summit.
At the top, savour the fabulous views of Fan Brycheiniog to the west and Pen y Fan to the East. Return back to the base of Fan Gyhirych, then pick up the trail that follows an old stone wall around the side of Fan Nedd (thus avoiding the need to ascend Fan Nedd for a second time)
The stone wall path leads right back to the lay-by where the hike started. This is a beaut of a Brecon Beacons walk that even I didn’t discover until recently.
For more routes to the summit of Fan Gyhirych, see this guide.
7. Sugar Loaf
- Distance: 5.5 km
- Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting Point: Mynydd Llanwenarth National Trust car park
- Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: The best view to effort ratio
This is a great little conical-shaped hill in the Black Mountains, which is the Eastern side of the National Park. At just 596m, it might not be the highest of peaks, but it certainly packs a punch with the views it can offer of the Black Mountains and Central Beacons.
Did you know? To be considered a mountain rather than a hill, the mountain has to stand over 600m high. At 596m Sugarloaf falls just short of mountain status
From the car park follow the well trodden path to the left of the information board. At the fork bear to the right to ascend the flat top peak. Take a moment at the top to delight in the views.
From the summit descend on the path in a westerly direction to form a loop that leads back down to the car park.
As one of the best Brecon Beacons short walks, this is a popular and often busy option.
For an alternative route to the summit of Sugar Loaf, take a look at this guide.
8. Table Mountain, Pen Cerrig-calch and Pen Allt-mawr
- Distance: 12 km
- Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting Point: Lay-by near Llanbedr on the main road from Crickhowell. The lay-by is located beside a bridge where the stream flows down from Cwm Banw
- Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Panoramic views of the Black Mountains
This loop is a great hiking option for exploring the Black Mountains in the east of the Brecon Beacons.
From the lay-by, cross the bridge and take the footpath that leads straight up the hill before turning left to follow the line of the forestry. The path gradually ascends to the first peak named Table Mountain, which is the site of the iron-age hill fort Crug Hywel.
After enjoying panoramic views from Table Mountain, turn north and follow the trail as it climbs, first steeply, to Pen Cerrig-calch and then more gradually to Pen Allt-mawr. Continue in a northerly direction along the ridge as the trail starts to descend, before sweeping around to loop back along the opposite side of the valley.
A gradual descent provides great views of Grwyne Fechan, before passing through the woods and back to the roadside. Despite taking in several peaks this hike isn’t too strenuous and is one of the best Black Mountains walks.
9. Monmouth & Brecon Canal and Tor y Foel
- Distance: 10.2 km
- Time: 4- 5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting Point: Coach and Horses Pub
- Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: A beautiful canal walk with a hill thrown in for good measure
This is a pretty Brecon Beacons walk which adds a slightly different element with the inclusion of the Brecon canal.
Walk west along the towpath to lock 65 and cross to the other side of the canal. Follow a waymarked path into the woods and then ascend steeply to Tor y Foel summit.
Enjoy views of the Central Beacons from the top before following the path off the mountain in a westerly direction. At the trail junction turn right to walk along the old tramroad, parallel to Talybont Reservoir.
At the end of the reservoir bear right along the path to skirt around the base of Tor y Foel, before rejoining the canal. Stroll along the canal to return to the Coach and Horses for a well earned drink!
10. Dragons Back Loop
- Distance: 12 km
- Time: 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting Point: The Dragons Back Pub car park (A479)
- Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Bagging the highest peak in the Black Mountains
This is my favourite Black Mountains hike since it offers fine views for most of the route. There is a good amount of up involved to reach the highest point, but since it’s mostly ridge walking the constant Brecon Beacon visas make up for the effort required!
Starting from the Dragons Back Pub car park, (parking fee via an honesty box) a lane leads you out onto the grassy green hills. There’s no opportunity to warm up as the uphill starts immediately.
After around 500m, there is a break in the climbing upon reaching the remains of Castell Dinas. This is the highest castle in England and Wales, though what remains is very much a grassy ruin. Up ahead you can now see Y Crib or the Dragons Back, so named because the ridge resembles that of a sleeping dragon.
The walk takes in the peaks and troughs of the Dragons Back before climbing steadily to the rather featureless plateau summit of Waun Fach. However heading west off the summit the views reappear for the rest of the walk back down into the valley.
Complete the walk by walking along the country lanes back towards the Dragons Back Pub.
For an in-depth trail description of Waun Fach, read this post!
11. Skirrid Mountain Loop
- Distance: 6.5 km
- Time: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- Starting Point: Saint Michael’s Church in Llanvihangel Crucorney
- Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Ridge walking in the Black Mountains
This is a great little ridge walk along the Holy Mountain in the Black Mountains. From the church, make your way along the alleyway, across the A465 and on past Llanvihangel Court. This is where the footpath begins proper as you begin to ascend gently through the fields.
At around the 2km mark, there is a short section on a country lane, before rejoining the footpath to climb up to the base of the Skirrid. Skirt around the western side of the mountain, through the woodland until you reach the south side of Skirrid.
Here, the ridge hike begins steeply at first, before becoming a gradual climb to the summit. Revel in gorgeous views along either side of the ridge until you reach the summit cairn.
From the top, descend down the steeper north side before retracing your footsteps back to the starting point. For a more in depth guide to hiking Skirrid Fawr, click here.
12. The Blorenge
- Distance: 6.5 km
- Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- Starting Point: The Keeper Pond Car Park
- Map: OS Explorer OL13 Brecon Beacons National Park
- Best for: Heather moorland and spotting wildlife
There are several routes you can take to explore the Blorenge and its surrounding areas, however a moderately easy hike is one that skirts around the hill before climbing to the top. From the Keepers Pond, follow the path around to the left along the well maintained footpath. Continue along until the junction forks into two and take the path to the right hand side.
Continue climbing gradually to the most northern end of the mountain where you can find a small building. Turn right here and begin walking along the gravel path which leads all the way up to the summit. Enjoy fabulous 360 degree views from the rocky Bronze Age burial chamber mound which designates the summit point.
The path exits the summit in a southerly direction and leads down to Foxhunters car park. A short section along the road, followed by another section along a grassy path, brings you back to the starting point.
For more options on hikes of the Blorenge, take a look at this guide.
What to pack for your Brecon Beacons walking trip
- Waterproofs – of course, it’s Wales and we get lots of rain!
- Food & water – filtering water bottles are very handy for safely refilling in streams and rivers. You can read more about filtering water bottles in this guide.
- Hat, gloves and warm layers for the summits
- Quality hiking boots are a must
- The relevant map and compass, and the ability to use them!
- A first aid kit for hiking
- These paths are also marked on various mapping apps. A great free option is maps.me, alternatively consider an annual subscription to OS to have access to all UK OS maps on your mobile.
These are just some of the essentials, but for a complete list of things to take on a day hike, take a look at this guide!
Where to Stay in the Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons has several cute market towns and villages to use as a base for exploring the national park. There aren’t many large chain hotels but instead, you will find a selection of bed and breakfasts, pubs/Inns, glamping and camping opportunities.
As a central location, you can’t go far wrong with the town of Brecon. The beautiful Camden Lodge B&B offers exceptional service, with large, clean rooms that have delightful views over the hills. To experience the charm of a cosy, local pub try the Usk and Railway Inn at Sennybridge. This is a fabulous location for mountain bikers looking to get out in the hills.
If you’d prefer to be based near the Black Mountains in the east, opt for the Ty Croeso Boutique B&B which is an exquisitely renovated Victorian building located near the small town of Crickhowell. In the west, Cwtch Bach is a gorgeous stone bricked holiday home perfect for exploring The Black Mountain region.
For a luxury glamping experience try the Cuddfan, whose bell tent located along the banks of the river Grwyne offers a real escape back into nature. For more luxury glamping ideas take a look at this guide to glamping in the Brecon Beacons.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hikes in the Brecon Beacons
If you want to enjoy walking in Bannau Brycheiniog there are many options to choose from. There are long ridge walks to explore, multi-peak adventures to enjoy and peaceful canal strolls to savour.
In this guide I have outlined 12 scenic Brecon Beacons hikes which have varying degrees of difficulty. Whatever your fitness level or mountain ability, there is a beautiful Brecon Beacons walk to suit.
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