Region: Pen Y Fan, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales
Places To Stay: Brecon, Libanus and nearby villages all offer charming places to stay, from B&Bs to countryside inns. Try: Stay in Brecon or browse more Brecon Beacons Accommodation
Looking for more Brecon Beacons walks? Try Horseshoe Ridge Walk, Sugar Loaf, or Waterfall Country. For many more walks go to my Bannau Brycheiniog National Park page.
Below are a 3 ideas for trips and tours available in the Bannau Brycheiniog, GetYourGuide offer great discounts and availability + Many more!
The Pen y Fan Circular is one of the most popular hikes in the Brecon Beacons. This 8km loop from Pont ar Daf offers wide-open views, a steady climb to the highest point in South Wales, and a memorable ridge walk that’s great for all levels of walkers.
You’ll take in Corn Du and Pen y Fan summits, then descend the path to the Storey Arms car park, to complete the loop. A must-do for first-time visitors to the Brecon Beacons or anyone after a leg-stretching but manageable mountain walk.
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Getting There: Directions, GPX and App Link
- Start point: Pont ar Daf Car Park (postcode: LD3 8NL)
- Google Maps link: Pont ar Daf Car Park
- Download the GPX file here for use on your GPS device or watch
- You can also view and follow this route on my Outdooractive profile
Hike Profile
- Distance: 5 miles / 8 km (circular)
- Duration: 3 – 4 hours
- Highest point: 886m / 2,907ft (Pen y Fan summit)
- Difficulty: Moderate – good paths but with a consistent climb
- Route conditions: Stone and gravel mountain paths, some grassy ridges — boots recommended
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Hike Description
Start your hike from the popular Pont ar Daf car park, heading across the bridge and joining the well-laid mountain path. You’ll steadily climb through open hillside with views back over the A470 and the wooded valleys below.
As you near the top, keep to the right and pass Corn Du on your left, you will see Corn Du on the return route. A short distance away you will reach Pen Y Fan, the highest point in Southern Britain, and I really doubt you will be on your own. This is a fantastic spot to pause for photos and take in the scale of the landscape.
To descend, return along the top path but at the junction split right and this will take you to Corn Du. Descend down a stone wall and then follow this different path to Storey Arms. It’s a short walk along the Taff Trail which runs alongside the road back to the Pont ar Daf car park.
Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The Video is a 3D walk through of this route; it will give you a unique sense of having walked through the route before you start.
I have created 3D Videos of my adventures and have shared them with the OutdoorActive community as well as my walking community.
[video_popup url=”https://youtu.be/lsRRomVToaw” text=”Pen y Fan and Corn Du Circular Walk – 8km – 3D Video” title=”Pen y Fan and Corn Du Circular Walk – 8km – 3D Video”]
This route is a Brecon Beacons classic – short enough for a half-day hike but packed with brilliant views and satisfying climbs.
Below are a 3 ideas for trips and tours available in the Bannau Brycheiniog, GetYourGuide offer great discounts and availability + Many more!
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Pen Y Fan Walk FAQs
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