15 of the best hikes in the Brecon Beacons National Park
From spectacular flat-topped mountain peaks to glistening waterfalls and glacial lakes, the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales has a plethora of natural beauty and something for everyone.
In this blog post I have outlined 15 of the best hikes within the Brecon Beacons National Park, ranging from short waterfall strolls to 10-mile ridge hikes.
Every single hike on this list is a trail that I have experienced first hand. They are not listed in any specific order and you can find out my favourite three at the bottom of this blog post.
The explanations for each hike are quite brief, however If you want a more detailed guide on a specific hike, including where to park alongside GPS maps and photos you can click on the link in each section.
Hikes At a Glance
Pen-Fan Horseshoe
Cwm Llwch Horseshoe, Pen y Fan
Llyn y Fan Fach & Picws Du from Llanddeusant
The Carmarthenshire Fans via the Nant-y-Llyn
The Elidir trail
Four Falls Walk
Waterfall Country Loop
Waun Fach Via the Dragons back
Blaen-y-Glyn Waterfalls & Fan-y-Big loop
Craig Cerrig Gleisiad
Circuit of the Central Beacons
Sugar Loaf
Ysgyryd Fawr
Henrhyd Falls
Tair Carn Isaf and Uchaf
Pen y Fan Horseshoe
Hike Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 14km
Elevation Gain: 785m
Estimated Time: 4-6 hours
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).
For me, this is the must-do hike within the Brecon Beacons especially if you are blessed with good weather.
The reason I enjoy this route so much is that it approaches the summits from the south, avoiding the hordes of people walking up the ‘Motorway’, the nickname given to the usual routes which start from the A470 to the west of the peaks.
Cwm Llwch Horseshoe
Hike Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11km
Elevation Gain: 700m
Estimated Time: 3-5 hours
If you’re looking for the most scenic and rewarding way to reach the summit of Pen y Fan, the Cwm Llwch Horseshoe is hard to beat.
This circular route begins on the quieter northern side of the Brecon Beacons, guiding you through a sheltered valley, past waterfalls and the glacial Cwm Llwch lake, before climbing along dramatic ridgelines to summit both Corn Du and Pen y Fan.
Unlike the busier paths from Storey Arms or Pont ar Daf, the Cwm Llwch Horseshoe offers a far more peaceful ascent and is perfect if you want to escape the crowds. It’s also an excellent choice for an afternoon hike, with the chance to time your descent for a spectacular Brecon Beacons sunset.
Llyn y Fan Fach & Picws Du from Llanddeusant
Type: Loop
Distance: 9km
Elevation Gain: 495m
Difficulty: Moderate - Hard
Duration: 3-5 hours
Llyn-Y-Fan Fach (Lake of the small hill) is an enchanting glacial lake set beneath the steep flat-topped hills of the Carmarthenshire countryside. Sitting above it is the prominent, snowplough shaped Picws Du, one of the most dramatic peaks in the national park.
This is a lesser-known gem situated on the western border of Brecon Beacons but in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful locations in Wales.
Although slightly more difficult to reach than the popular Pen-Y-fan, this breath-taking area epitomises the beauty of the Brecon Beacons and should definitely be on your ‘must visit’ list.
The Carmarthenshire Fans via the Nant-y-Llyn
Type: Loop
Distance: 16km
Elevation Gain: 650m
Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 4-7 hours
This monster 10 mile loop is hands down my favourite day hike in the Brecon Beacons and would be my pick of the bunch if you only had the time to complete one.
There a a number of superlatives I could use to describe why this walk is so special but ultimately it comes down to the combination of the truly awe inspiring scenery alongside its relatively crowd free peaks.
The walk contains waterfalls, dramatic flat topped mountains, and two enchanting glacial lakes, all whilst giving you panoramic views across the western Brecon beacons.
My route starts from the Nant-y-Llyn on the eastern side of the mountain. There’s extremely limited parking here, so get there early to secure a space.
The Elidir trail
Type: Out and back
Distance: 5km
Elevation Gain: 150m
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2-3 hours
A majestical woodland walk which passes three beautiful waterfalls alongside a dozen other small cascades on the way to the breath-taking Sgwd Gwladus, a 20ft cascade of water which spills over an overhanging sandstone rock lip.
The walk isn’t at all difficult and involves following a well-maintained trail, which can get muddy, suitable for young children
Four falls Walk
Type: Circuit
Distance: 7.5km
Elevation Gain: 235m
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2-4 hours
This circular walk in the heart of ‘Waterfall Country’ which visits four spectacular waterfalls; Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, and Sgwd-yr-Eira.
This gentle woodland walk is perfect rain or shine and was voted 40th in a 2017 ITV poll to find Britain’s Favourite Walks.
The main attraction of these walk has to be Sgwd-yr-Eira waterfall. Translated into ‘The waterfall of Snow’, it’s a wide cascade of water 10m high and 10m wide which you can walk directly behind.
Standing behind a curtain of water is a feeling which is hard to put into words and one you have to experience. Just remember to pack some waterproofs as if it’s been raining (which it does a lot in Wales) you will get wetter than an otters pocket.
Waterfall Country Loop
Type: Loop
Distance: 15km
Elevation Gain: 500m
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4-7 hours
Linking up three waterfall walks, The Elidir Trail, The Four Falls trail and the Sychrhyd Gorge walk, his wonderful woodland loop encompasses everything that’s great about Waterfall county.
It passes by 9 of the best falls in the Brecon Beacons, two of which you can walk behind, with the option of a short extension to reach a 10th Waterfall.
It is also a trail which is suitable to do all year round and no matter the weather, as the wetter it is, the better the waterfall will be.
Although it isn’t at all technical it does involve navigating some unstable and rocky sections of trail, which under the delightful welsh weather can get quite slippery and muddy. For this reason suitable footwear and a decent waterproof jacket is recommended.
Waun Fach via the The Dragons Back
Type: loop
Distance: 12km
Elevation Gain: 843m
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Duration: 3-6 hours
Waun Fach via the Dragons Back is a delightful 7.5 mile circular yomp located in the Black Mountains range of the Eastern Brecon Beacons. The moderate hike isn’t at all technical and offers stupendous 360 panoramic views over three counties and the rest of the national park.
On route you’ll pass over the site of the highest castle in Britain before ascending the majestic dragons back ridgeline up to Waun Fach (811m), the highest peak in the black mountains and the second highest in the Brecon Beacons.
Its a superb hike an one which should definitely to be on your to do list if you are planning on visiting the Beacons. A full description of the route can be found in the blog post below
Blaen-y-Glyn waterfalls & Fan-y-Big
Type: Circuit
Distance: 14km
Elevation Gain: 500m
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Duration: 4-6 hours
This is delightful off the beaten track hike in the Central Brecon beacons which encompasses fantastic views, wonderful waterfalls and a visit to a World War II plane wreckage, all while avoiding the crowds.
Although this route isn’t that difficult, navigation and the ground underfoot may be tricky at times so make sure you’ve either got a good map or use a hiking app with plenty of battery. I’d recommend ‘maps.me’ as they show all the trails and topographic features whilst being able to use offline.
For all the Information on the hike including a detailed route and where to park, check out my blog post below.
Craig Cerrig Gleisiad
Type: Circuit
Distance: 4.5Km
Elevation Gain: 260m
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5-3 hours
The 629m peak of Craig Cerrig Gleisiad may not be the tallest or the most well known the Brecon Beacons, but it arguably has has one of the finest views.
Nicknamed the Eiger of the Beacons due to its extremely steep north face, this dramatic flat topped glacial mountain sits within a nature reserve and offers stupendous views towards the highest mountains in South wales, Pen-y-fan and Corn Du.
At just over two miles the hike maybe short but it certainly a packs a punch. In addition, its status as an unknown gem, combined with the fact that it’s a stones throw away from the start point of Pen-y-Fan, means you’ll probably have this place to yourself.
Circuit of the Central Beacons
Type: Circuit
Distance: 20km
Elevation Gain: 1,080m
Difficulty: Hard to very hard
Duration: 6-10 hours
The circuit of the central Beacons is a longer but superior version of the Pen-y-Fan Horseshoe which throws in a visit to an old WW2 plane wreckage alongside passing by several magnificent waterfalls.
I would easily regard it as one of the best day hikes in Wales, especially when you consider the varied terrain and beautiful landscape it encompasses.
There are a number of places you can park on this hike, but I would recommend parking at the upper Blaen y-Glyn car park. I’d also suggest starting this loop early and tackling it in a clockwise fashion.
This will mean you get the initial road walk and biggest climb out of the way first and you will (hopefully) have fewer people on the Pen-y-fan summit. Finally you will finish at the waterfalls where you could even treat yourself with a refreshingly cold dip.
Ysgyryd Fawr
Type: Out & Back
Distance: 4.3Km
Elevation Gain: 294m
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5-3 hours
Ysgyryd Fawr (Skirrid Fawr) is a short but punchy hike located on the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The mountains isolated location, means it rises dramatically out of the landscape and the summit offers terrific 360 panoramic views.
Sugar Loaf
Type: Out & Back
Distance: 5.3Km
Elevation Gain: 265m
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 1.5-3 hours
Situated in the east of the National Park, the 565m Sugar Loaf may not be the highest or the most dramatic of the peaks in the Brecon Beacons, but its ease of access and wonderful panoramic views make it a mountain which is definitely worth climbing.
alongside being a great choice for families Its also a hike which you can do if you are short on time and one which is great for both sunset and sunrise.
Henrhyd Falls
Type: Out & Back
Distance: <1Km
Elevation Gain: 50m
Difficulty: Very Easy
Duration: <1 hour
Henrhyd Waterfall is the crown jewel of waterfall county in the Brecon Beacons National park.
At 90ft, it’s the tallest waterfall in South Wales and was used as a filming location for the final scene of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises where it doubled as the entrance for the bat cave.
Its a spectacular waterfall, specially after a period of heavy rain, and one which you must visit if you are in the region.
Tair Carn Isaf and Uchaf
Type: Out & Back
Distance: 8km
Elevation Gain: 290m
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2-4 hours
A moderately challenging hike in the western outskirts of the national park which is perfect for escaping the crowds. The summits over panoramic views over the rolling hills and you will be able to see the famous Carreg Cennen Castle.
Final Thoughts
Not sure which three to choose? My top three hikes from this list would be;
Llyn-y-fan Fach & Fawr via the Nant-y-Llyn
Circuit of the Central Beacons
Waterfall country Loop
All three are proper day hikes which will take at least five to six hours. Pack plenty of food, water and get yourself a good navigation app (I’d recommend Maps.Me)before hitting the trails.
If you are short for time, then my top three short hikes would be;
Cwm Llwch Horseshoe
Four Falls Trail
Llyn y Fan Fach & Picws Du from Llanddeusant
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In terms of locations, Brecon is a great central choice and is the most developed town in the National Park. Abergavenny is also a great option for accessing both the central and eastern Brecon Beacons. If you have a car, I would consider looking at accommodation options in the cities of Cardiff or Swansea. Alongside being more lively in the evenings you can reach the main locations in the Brecon Beacons in under an hour.
If you’d like to support this website, you can use the affiliate links below to book your accommodation. These come at no extra cost to you, but help keep this site running.
Book your accommodation using Booking.com and Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Sykes Cottages has a huge range of properties across the national park to cater for those with dogs and larger groups.
I have stayed in Pentre Court Cottage outside Abergavenny and I found it to be the perfect base for exploring the Brecon Beacons. It sleeps 8, is very modern yet cosy, is dog friendly, has plenty of parking, is located opposite a pub, and is within a short driving distance of most of the popular hikes in the national park.
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There are numerous highly rated pubs and cafes dotted throughout the park with several of them being located in the town of Brecon. I have listed several below which I can recommend.
Hills Brecon - Situated just outside the town of Brecon this is a family run burger restaurant which has gained legendary status in the national park. You will have to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Brecon Tap - Homely café & pub offering a wide range of savoury pies alongside local & international beers. A perfect place for refilling after a long day in the hills.
Cat Soup Kitchen - A small café with lots of outdoor seating situated on the banks of the River Usk in Brecon. Serves lunch, breakfast, and dinner alongside hot drinks and at a very affordable price.
Latte Da Tea Room - Situated in Crickhowell, Latte Da serves great coffee, homemade cakes, gourmet sourdough sandwiches, award winning gelato alongside wide variety of breakfast options.
Casa Brecon - Lovely little café with friendly staff, delicious wraps, sandwiches and bagels
Proper Pizza - A Local pizza company offering a wide variety of handmade, locally sourced stone baked pizzas.
· The Dugout CafèBar, Abergavenny: local beer, coffee, pastries and homemade pizza.
· K&K Kitchen – Abergavenny, a lovely little café which serves delicious Thai Food
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Know and plan the Route: Use proper hiking app (I use and recommend OS Maps) and have the route downloaded for offline use
Check the Weather: Always check the weather forecast for the specific peaks and mountain ranges you are planning on hiking. I use MWIS and Met Office
Start Early: Give yourself plenty of daylight to complete the hike.
Group Up: If possible, hike with others or consider hiring a local guide for extra safety
If in doubt give it a miss – if the weather doesn’t look great or you aren’t sure about the route, skip it and do something else instead. Also don’t be afraid to turn around mid-hike, the mountains aren’t going anywhere and no hike is worth risking injury or your life for.
Wear and carry the correct kit: See below
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The right layering system (base, mid, shell) and material (merino, synthetic or down) and gear (GPS, poles, light) means you can be both comfortable and safe when heading into the mountains.
Below is a list of all the hiking gear (clothes, footwear, and accessories) I currently use and recommend.
I have also included links to all of the products where possible. Some of these are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. This comes at no additional cost to yourself and helps to support my website and my ability to continue to create content.
Base layers
The purpose of a base layer is to wick sweat away from your skin to keep you dry alongside offering protection from the elements. The type of base layer I wear will depend on the season and temperature. I will usually wear merino wool or a synthetic material (polyester), avoiding cotton.
Columbia Zero Rules Technical T-Shirt - A great cheap options for day hikes
Icebreaker Merino Long Sleeved hoodie - My go to base layer for spring, summer, and autumn hiking. It’s lightweight, quick drying, breathable, and because it is made of merino, has odour control. I have worn this hiking multiple days in a row in summer in Canada, Madeira, The Dolomites, and UK and it is yet to let me down. I like that it has a hood and thumb cuffs to help protect my pale Welsh skin from the sun.
Mid layers
The purpose of a mid layer is to provide warmth and insulation. Even if I dont wear them while I am hiking, I will always carry them in my bag as an extra layer. They often come out when I reach a summit or if the conditions get colder.
Simond Merino Wool Zip Hoodie - A great value merino mid layer which is comfortable, lightweight, stretchy, and wont smell. It also has elasticated thumb loops, a close-fitting hood, and three zip pockets.
Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Down Jacket - Essential for the colder months, wildcamping, and when you are soaking in the views up on the summit. It is £85, lightweight, non-bulky, easily packable, and thanks to its 700 FP down fill, is rated to -10 degrees Celsius.
Outer shell
The purpose of an outer shell is to protect you from the wind and the rain. No matter the season and weather I will always carry one just in case. I recommend getting a outer shell which has a hydrostatic head rating of at least 10,000mm.
Columbia Ampli-Dry II Shell Jacket - Waterproof, lightweight, functional, and packs down well, so I can easily stuff it into my bag if I get too hot. It also has breathable stretch shell fabric with underarm zipped ventilation.
Quechua Lightweight Waterproof Jacket MH500 - Unbelievable value at £80 and has a hydrostatic head rating of 25,000m
Columbia Loop Trail II Windbreaker - My go to choice in the summer and for trail running
Lower half
Columbia Colour Block Hiking Shorts - They are lightweight, quick drying, stretchy, and have zipped pockets.
Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers - I take these on through hikes & wild camps, they are super light, comfortable, quick drying, & great for the evenings.
Montane Tenacity Hiking Pants - Lightweight, comfortable, water resistant softshell hiking trousers with 4-way stretch
Rab Men's Downpour Eco Pants - Lightweight (225g) over trousers which pack down super small.
Footwear
Darn Tough Vermont Merino Micro Crew Socks - Moisture wicking, odour control, breathable, well cushioned and have a lifetime warranty.
Columbia Montrail Trinity Ag II - The comfiest summer hiking and trail running shoes I have ever worn. The break in period is non-existent. I wore them for my 6 day through hike through the Dolomites, Snowdon 6 challenge, all around Madeira, and for 190km of hiking around the Canadian Rockies.
Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX - My go to for wetter conditions. They are very comfortable, durable, offer great grip and stability, are waterproof, and also light enough that I could even trail run in them if needed. I also wore them for my eight day trek up to Kilimanjaro.
Backpacks
Deuter Speed light Pro 25 - My go to for summer hiking. It’s comfortable, extremely lightweight (630g), and big enough to fit all my gear. It’s also got a whole host of functional features including a pocket big enough for a soft flask on the shoulder strap. They do a 19 and 30 litre version to
Deuter Speed Lite Pro 30 - My go to for winter hiking or if I need more space. I wore this for my 6 day through hike across the Dolomites.
Deuter Air contact Ultra 50+ 5 - My go to for wildcamping, backpacking. It is very lightweight (1.3kg), comfortable, functional, and supportive.
Equipment & Accessories
PETZL Swift RL Headlamp - Essential for hiking, especially around sunrise or sunset, alongside wildcamping & astrophotography. This provides 900 lumens of brightness at only 100 g and is rechargeable. The Everbeam H6 Pro is a great cheap option at £15,
OS Maps Premium Subscription - My go to app for hiking. I use this for planning and following hikes on my phone. the premium subscription allows me to download & use maps offline, alongside the ability to print off to-scale paper maps to use as a backup.
Silva Walking Poles - Lightweight, collapsible, quick locking, and comfortable on the hands.
Portable Power bank – Essential for any hiker, especially if you rely on your phone for navigation. I recommend one with at least 10,000 mAh of power.
Forclaz MT500 stretch gloves - Lightweight, practical, functional, and warm. They are also stretchy, clip together when not being used, and you can use your phone with them. At £13 they are bargain.
Forclaz Foam Seat Pad – Weighs 60g, can fit in the side of your bag and doubles up as mat to stand on when getting changed after wild swimming
Mini Crampons/ Micro spikes – The best investment I’ve made for winter walking. These are a set of chains with 18 small spikes connected to a thick elastic rubber which can be pulled over any footwear. They are perfect for hiking in snowy and icy conditions when crampons would be overkill as they are much easier to walk in, and are far lighter and easier to carry.
Help support what I do
I created and I run this website in order to help inform, amaze, inspire people (for free) to get outside and explore the adventurous side of the UK and beyond.
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If you’d like to support this website, you can use the affiliate links below to book your accommodation or transport. These come at no extra cost to you, but help keep this site running.
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For more hiking inspiration check out my other guides to the Brecon Beacons below.
Central Brecon Beacons
Western Brecon Beacons
Waterfall Country
Eastern Brecon Beacons
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