Carmarthen Fan from the North

[Broggy1]

I jumped at the chance to work in Carmarthen on Tuesday as it would allow me to visit the Brecon Beacons for the first time.

An early start and a long drive on Monday, followed by some brutally narrow roads saw me parked up at the road end by noon to approach these hills from the North - which I had been led to believe was much the best way of doing the bunch.

Heavy rain was expected by 5pm so I was keen to try and get these done before it arrived. For now though it was a nice day, clear with relatively light winds.

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Starting out on the Beacons Way with Picws Du in view. The route as far as Llyn y Fan Fach is obviously extremely popular and the hills themselves seemed to have good foot fall.

Llyn y Fan Fach

Picws Du is dominant on the approach

Fan Foel

My route headed left at the Llyn and then made for the ridge steeply between Picws Du and Fan Foel

Route ahead to Fan Foel and Fan Brycheiniog

Picws Du - I'll come back to this!

Fan Brycheiniog from Fan Foel

There are two high points on either end of the summit ridge.

Fan Brycheiniog Trig Point

The out and back to Fan Hir is easily achieved - the summit marked by just a few stones but again nice views and a spectacular position

Looking back at the Carmarthen Fan - definitely the unexciting side from here

Picws Du - finally heading there now after walking round it to begin with. From here it looks very steep but with it all being grassy (similar to the Howgills) it's a bit misleading and not as steep as it looks.

Summit of Picws Du looking down the ascent route

Spectacular scenery ahead of Llyn y Fan Fach and Bannau Sir gaer

Looking back along the escarpment to Picws Du from Waun Lefrith

Looking over to the outlier Garreg Las.

It looked like it could be a bit wet in the depression but in reality wasn't too bad. It was also nice to see a load of Buzzards and Red Kite's in the area...obviously enjoying the solitude off the beaten track.

The rocky summit of Garreg Las

I had options from here of getting back to the car but had quickly decided that the best scenery was all in the Bannau Sir Gaer area so opted to head back up Waun Lefrith and descend back to Llyn y Fan Fach from there.

And this proved to be the correct call. Stunning scenery.

Descending

Final track back to the car

With no sign of the rain just yet I did the short drive round to quickly bag the last of the group - Garreg Lwyd - from the high road to the West. I could have added this to the initial walk but it would have needed a long and out and back and I'd surely have been caught in a downpour.

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It's an easy wander to the summit area from here.

I got back to the car just in time as it started raining half an hour later and rained all the way until I arrived at my hotel.

A stunning afternoon on the hills.

[davekermito]

Not seen them from this angle before so thanks for the pictures!

Did a staggered traverse of these along with the Fforest Fawr and main Brecon Beacon a few years ago. Wonderfully quiet and a great place to stretch the legs across some super open country. Coldest walk I've ever been on!

Are the hurdles still in place > ?

[dav2930]

Stunning scenery indeed; great photos. Looks a fascinating landscape and fine walking country. Would love to get down to the Brecon Beacons one of these days.

[Broggy1]

Not seen them from this angle before so thanks for the pictures!

Did a staggered traverse of these along with the Fforest Fawr and main Brecon Beacon a few years ago. Wonderfully quiet and a great place to stretch the legs across some super open country. Coldest walk I've ever been on!

Are the hurdles still in place > ?

Thanks.

No sign of the hurdles!

I was actually surprised how many people were up these hills on a Monday. It must have been Easter holidays down there and as a I say the lake seems a popular touristy spot (with good reason). There were also quite a few D of E's out and about.

[Broggy1]

Stunning scenery indeed; great photos. Looks a fascinating landscape and fine walking country. Would love to get down to the Brecon Beacons one of these days.

Thanks.

Yeah, I was quite taken with the scenery on this one and in the area in general.

It was my first visit as well having deemed the beacons not worth it being an equal drive to the Southern Highlands for me.

Fair to say I was wrong. The Pen y Fan group obviously looks rather inviting as well!