Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales: Pen-y-Fan Loop
Tag the Brecon Beacons' highest summit (2,907 feet), then descend one of the park’s wild, water-filled canyons on this 4.9-mile loop.
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With 519 square miles of rolling grassland and massive mountains pocked with caves, waterfalls, lakes, and wooded gorges, Brecon Beacons National Park contains some of the wildest and least-traveled high country in Wales. The Beacons Way, a 101-mile hiking path, connects widely varied topography, dips into centuries-old villages, and climbs to several of the park’s tallest summits. Explore one of its most spectacular segments on this 4.9-mile point-to-point.
Begin at the Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre and climb through forest and across a bridge before beelining steeply northeast. Gain 1,450 feet in 1.6 miles to reach the summit of Corn Du. You’re now atop the point that 10th-century Welsh writers called Cadair Arthur, or “Arthur’s Seat.” From Corn Du, walk east along the wide ridge to Pen-y-Fan (the true high point). For the best views, however, continue on to Cribyn, lowest of the three summits, then return (it’s 2.5 miles round-trip from Corn Du, the first peak, to Cribyn).
Descend by dropping due south of Corn Du down faint Neuadd Ridge, then bear right (southwest) and drop into Cwm Crew, the waterfall-laced valley cut by the Nant Crew stream. Near the bottom, follow sheep trails right (west), past a pine forest and over a ridgeline, to a car pullout along the A470T (1.7 miles south of Storey Arms).
-Copy by Steve Howe, Mapped by Kris Wagner
Trail Facts
- Distance: 7.9
Waypoints
PEN001
Location: 51.867986, -3.47154
The route begins at the Story Arms Visitor Center. Hike northeast toward the summit.
PEN002
Location: 51.878445, -3.445314
Turn left, heading north.
PEN003
Location: 51.881737, -3.443774
Corn Du: This summit offers sweet views into Cwm LLwch. Next, turn around and return to Waypoint 2; continue straight at the junction.
PEN004
Location: 51.876769, -3.446456
At the trail junction, keep left and follow the more pronounced trail down the ridgeline.
PEN005
Location: 51.874958, -3.445517
Leave the ridge and descend due south down into Cwm Crew.
PEN006
Location: 51.873113, -3.445652
Bear left (east) to begin descending traverse into Cwm Crew. Get below cliff bands to find the best path to creekbed.
PEN007
Location: 51.868865, -3.440713
Cwm Crew drainage. Continue descent.
PEN008
Location: 51.857159, -3.448677
Pass a waterfall and continue south.
PEN009
Location: 51.85318, -3.450861
Pass an old foundation.
PEN010
Location: 51.851813, -3.451423
The trail skirts another waterfall.
PEN011
Location: 51.848531, -3.453773
Begin rising traverse up hillside to the right (west). Cross broad ridgeline on sheep trails. Stay right/north of pine plantation.
PEN012
Location: 51.844949, -3.464435
The route ends a small parking turn-out.
