Pen-y-Fan Horseshoe | Detailed hike guide with maps and where to park
The quintessential walk of the Brecon Beacons which offers magnificent 360-degree views and a chance to summit its three highest peaks; Corn Du (873m), Pen-Y-Fan (886) and Cribyn (795m). A slight 20-minute extension to the walk can be taken to visit the hilariously named Fan-Y-Big (717m), which has a large flat rock shaped like a diving board
For me, this is the must-do hike within the Brecon Beacons especially if you are blessed with a dry and clear day as you will be treated with incredible views of the Brecon beacons glacial landscape. Be warned though, because of its ease of access, Pen y fan is one of, if not the most popular peaks the UK, so if you are seeking a walk that provides some solitude then this wouldn’t be a summit for you.
If tackling this route on a weekend I would recommend starting nice and early ( I’m talking pre 8 am) in order to guarantee yourself a parking spot and to try and minimise the number of other people you encounter on the trail.
Where to Park
The start point for this hike is the Neuadd car park in the Taf Fechan forest (Postcode CF48 2UT). The car park is free but is slightly out of the way and will seem like you driving to the middle of nowhere.
Trust the postcode and keep following the single track road past the Pointicill reservoir and the Old Barn Tea Room until you reach a gravel car park to the left of the road.
The Route
As the route is a loop it can be tackled in either direction. with this blog I have described the route walking in a clockwise fashion.
From the car park head north up the road you drove in on. After several hundred meters the road will split, take the paved path to the left passing by a metal swing gate on the way towards the Lower Neuadd Reservoir. Once at the reservoir, head left and begin the steep 1km climb up to the Craig Fan Ddu ridge.
The steep climb up from the Lower Neuadd reservoir, The car park is just to the right on this picture
After catching your breath at the top, turn right and follow the ridgeline northwards for 3.5km until you reach the Saddle before the twin summits of Corn Du and Pen-Y-fan.
The saddle before Corn Du and Pen y Fan (right).
At the saddle, you will be treated by the droves of people who have just trekked up the motorway from the A470. The path to straight ahead leads up to the summit of Corn Du (873 m) before descending then re-ascending back up to Pen-y-Fan. If for some strange reason you didn’t want to see the view from Corn Du the path to the right heads straight to Pen y Fan.
Looking back at Corn Du from Pen-y-fan
Once at the summit of Pen Y Fan (886m). take the time to marvel at the 360 views of the magnificent glacial landscape all around you and even grab that ‘summit selfie’ if you so desire. After taking in the views, the route descends steeply along Craig Cwm Sere before rising again sharply to the summit of Cribyn (795m).
The view From Pen-Fan towards the less popular Cribyn
For a peak a stones throw away, Cribyn (776m) will be significantly quieter than the neighbouring pen-Fan meaning this would be a preferred location to stop and have a bite to eat.
Sunrise Looking West wards towards Cribyn (closest) and Fan-y -Big
From the summit of Cribyn continue the descent southeastwards for 1.3km along the ridgeline until you reach a saddle between two peaks marked by a large gravel bridleway.
From the Saddle ascending straight up the short but steep zig-zagging path to the summit of Fan-y-Big for one final view over the ‘diving board’.
The diving board at Fan-y-Big with Cribyn and Pen-y-Fan in the background
Descend back down the same path to the saddle then head left and follow the gravel bridleway south for 3.5km past the Upper Neuadd Reservoir back down to the car park.
For those who want a massive day out in the Beacons you can combine this hike with the Blaen- y- glyn Waterfall walk for one epic hike. You can find that hike below
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You can find more Welsh hiking inspiration in the following blogs
For more travel, & photography inspiration around Wales check out my in-depth guides to each of my favourite regions below.