Brecon Beacons Circuit

[Mover68]

After returning from Scotland, we were itching to get back into the hills, so a day out to the Brecon Beacons was the order of the day. Being only a short(ish) blast down the M4 and a right turn at Cardiff, it did not take long to get there.
As we drove up the A470 towards Merthyr, the dark clouds began to gather, and we thought once again we were going to be thwarted with fantastic views at the summits. But as we approached the car park, the cloud base was well above the tops, and thankfully that’s how it stayed all day.
I’d climbed Pen Y Fan ten years ago during my RAF days, although this time I was doing it because I wanted to, and not been told to do it as part of “a team bonding exercise”!!!!!
From the car park at Taf Fechan forest, grid ref 035174, we walked the short distance to the disused dam, crossed it and began the short steep climb to Craig Fan Ddu ridge. Once at the top, it was a right turn, and then a wonderful ridge walk northwards towards Corn Du. As we approached the base of Corn Du, we decided to make a small detour to the Tommy Jones obelisk, a memorial to a 5 year old lad, who went missing in the area back in 1900, and his body was found 29 days later at that spot.
After a bit of lunch, we pressed on To Corn Du, and joined the masses that had walked up the Storey Arms path. The path in all honesty was like Oxford Street on Christmas Eve, but what do you expect on a Bank Holiday, nice weather and one of Britain’s most popular mountains? I suppose it’s better than getting wasted in the pub or vegging out in front of the X Box. Corn Du completed, the short hop to Pen Y Fan was next.
As we descended the steep Craig Cwm Sere, the constant chattering that was on Pen Y Fan slowly receded until all was quiet. Bliss!!! Next objective was Cribyn, so a quick swig of Lucozade and a banana were taken on board for that quick burst of energy needed for the steep slog up the ridge.
The views from Cribyn were magnificent, and only about half a dozen other walkers admiring it in silence. This was not a time for talking, just looking.
Cribyn done, it was time to tackle the final peak on the walk, Fan Y Big. We descended Craig Cwm Cynwyn to the foot of Fan Y Big. Another swig of Lucozade and the ridge to the top was tackled in no time at all. After customary photo on the “Diving Board”, we decided to traverse the west flank of Craig Cwmoergwm to avoid descending the path we climbed. This gave rise to an amusing game of “avoiding the boggy bits”!! Finally we reached the track at the bottom and then the final mile or so back to the car. Great day!

[willywalker247]

Great report know the area well. On a good day you cannot get better walking in south Wales

[johnnyaztec]

Nice report,did that route a couple of years back ,glad you got some decent weather for it, its good when you get the views.

[skuk007]

Good report, done that route many times, never tire of it. Looks like you had a nice clear day.