Pen-y-Fan - the highest mountain in southern Britain
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Going for a walk? Why not tackle Britain's easiest 3,000ft mountain.
Pen-y-Fan
Height: 2,907ft (886m) - the highest mountain in Britain south of Snowdonia
Where?: In the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, between Merthyr and Brecon to the east of the A470
Car park: Big park on the A470 at the Storey Arms pass but the better one is in the trees on the other side of road half a mile south - there’s toilets and a brilliant burger van
Why go?
It’s the easiest mountain around 3,000ft in Britain. You’ll get home with a great smug feeling of having achieved something memorable that day, seen some great views (hopefully) and had a FREE and healthy adventure. Anyone can walk up Pen-y-Fan if they’re vaguely fit and have some decent shoes.
The paths are easy to follow and very clear. They rise steadily but without really tough sections. There are a couple of tiny scrambles near the summits but you can avoid them if you want.
The views at the top are stupendous. Right down to the sea beyond Cardiff, across the Beacons and Black Mountains either side and deep into rural mid-Wales to the north. But my experience is that it's only clear enough for a view about half the times you go up - you've got a 50/50 chance.
Routes:
Walk from either car park up the clearly marked well-maintained National Trust paths. If it’s a sunny weekend follow the crowds. Maybe go one way and come back the other.
Alternatives include the longer march from the end of the lane at Upper Neuadd Reservoir, via Cribyn and the delightfully named Fan-y-Big. The path from the farm lane at Plas-y-Gear to the north is the most hairy - it follows a steep ridge up to Pen-y-Fan.
The first few time I did ‘The Fan’ as locals call it (actually they say 'Van'), I just followed my nose it’s so easy. But now I’m trying all the different routes I got the right map - The OS Explorer series OL12 (West Brecon).
This is a good place to buy walking and exploring maps
Pen-y-fan links:
I like this video - you don’t see much but just listen to that wind!
And I love this film. This bloke seems to have dragged his girlfriend along for a hefty hike around the Fan in the snow and ice. Then he focusses on her as she keeps falling over
In contrast, there aren’t many laughs on the official Brecon Beacons National Park website
This webpage has a lot of nice stuff about The Fan and Brecon Beacons
This is a nice little B&B in Brecon that’s a good walkers' stop-over near-ish to Pen-y-Fan
Also on TheTravelEditor.com:
Visit Snowdon - the UK’s most popular mountain
Visit Ben Nevis - Britain's highest mountain
Visit Scafell Pike - England's highest mountain
Useful links
Ten essentials for hiking - reviewed by The Kitmaster
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This is a gorgeous part of the world and perfect time to come with spring in the air, fields full of lambs. Hiking is fantastic, personally I’m a fan of the less know routes, but always good to climb the highest mountain!