Fan Llia, Cefn yr Ystrad

[poppiesrara]

This was just a quick midweek jaunt up two isolated Brecon Beacons summits. Both - and especially Cefn yr Ystrad, for such an apparently little-frequented peak - are very pleasant (firm and grassy) there-and-back climbs with pretty good views of the more notable Beacons.

The first few hundred yards from the Blaen Llia carpark towards Fan Llia are a little awkward, constantly negotiating the gullies of the streams coming down from the ridge, but it's easy and quick going thereafter with good open views that somehow I failed to properly capture on a beautifully clear day....

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Fan Llia

Fan Nedd

Blaen Llia

Corn Du and Fan Fawr from cairn on Fan Llia

Carmarthen Fan behind Fan Nedd and Fan Gyhirych

Cefn yr Ystrad is a particularly easy few hundred metres of ascent once past a steep little drag out of Pontsticill, with many decent half-paths over the meadows and between the intermittent rock crops, but such good going that you can virtually make your own way up in any direction. The summit plateau is very broad though, with the south-western approach especially offering a long stretch of rolling moorland. Pen y Fan and Cribyn catch the eye almost throughout and, pleasant as the whole walk is, it's one of those climbs that sometimes makes your mind drift off to other mountain days...

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Beacons behind Pontsticill Reservoir

Beacons from Cefn yr Ystrad slopes

Northern Black Mountains from Cefn yr Ystrad summit

Pen y Fan behind Cefn yr Ystrad trigpoint

Cefn yr Ystrad quarry

Cefn yr Ystrad

Disused quarry and Pontsticill Reservoir