Pen y Fan rises to 886 metres above sea level as the highest peak in South Wales and the centrepiece of Brecon Beacons National Park. Its flat topped summit is visible for miles, a landmark that has drawn walkers for generations. The most popular route starts from Pont ar Daf car park and follows a well maintained path steeply uphill, rewarding the climb with panoramic views across the Usk Valley and Black Mountains. On clear days the vista stretches to the Bristol Channel. The summit ridge connects to neighbouring Corn Du for a satisfying circular route. Weather on the exposed top can change in minutes. The sense of accomplishment at the summit never diminishes.
The 886 meter tall Pen y Fan can be found within the borders of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Running from east to west, the summit is parts of a small ridge that starts at the Talybont Reservoir and ends at the peak of Corn Du.
The mountain is composed of Old Red Sandstone which dates back to the Devonian Era. The summit peaks are also composed of sandstone, but are much more resilient to erosion than the Old Red variety. As the glaciers in the area receded following the last ice age, the twin peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du were formed.
Pen y Fan, Wales, UK by Dave.Dunford
Walking Routes to the Summit
The most popular route starts at Pont ar Daf car park on the A470. The path climbs steadily through open moorland before steepening near the summit ridge. The walk is four kilometres each way and takes one to two hours. A longer route from the Storey Arms follows a ridgeline taking in both Corn Du and Pen y Fan. The circular route from Cwm Llwch car park passes through ancient woodland before reaching the open fell. Whichever route you choose, the final ascent involves a steep pull up loose stone paths. The summit is broad and flat with views including the Bristol Channel, Black Mountains, Cambrian Mountains, and even Snowdonia on clear days.
The Fan Dance and Military History
Pen y Fan is the site of the Fan Dance, a selection test used by UK Special Forces. Candidates complete a 24 kilometre march across the Brecon Beacons carrying a rifle, webbing, and a heavy rucksack within a strict time limit. The route goes from the Storey Arms to the summit and back across the exposed ridge. Annual public races follow a similar route in January and July. The Pen y Fan Race covers 5.6 kilometres from Cwm Llwch to the summit and back, with a record of just over 30 minutes.
Planning Your Visit
Visiting Pen y Fan requires preparation, as weather on the exposed summit can change rapidly. Walkers should carry warm layers, waterproof clothing, water, and a map. The most popular months are May through September. Car parks at Pont ar Daf and Storey Arms fill early on weekends and bank holidays. The park has improved parking and pathways to manage visitor numbers. Dogs are welcome but should be kept under control near livestock. Nearby Brecon offers accommodation and supplies. weather you are an experienced hiker or a first-time visitor, Pen y Fan offers a rewarding mountain experience showcasing the best of Wales.
On the side of the mountain slopes along the path that leads from the Storey Arms to the summit of Pen y Fan, you will find an obelisk which was constructed and dedicated in memory of a five year old child who had died on the spot back in August of 1900. The child was the son of a coal miner from Rhondda who was on his way to visit his grandparents who lived near the Cwm Llwch Farmhouse. For twenty nine days the locals searched for the missing child before discovering his body where the memorial obelisk stands today.
Those who visit the mountains may also see military recruits along the paths leading to the top of Pen y Fan. Carrying a standard duffle, rifle plus food rations, those who want to join the UK Special Forces must pass the rigorous test that has become known over the years as the Fan Dance.
In similar fashion to the military training endurance test, a series of annual races are conducted along the same route in the middle of January and July each year. Racers start just south of Cwm Llwch and proceeds up to Pen y Fan as well as Corn Du. The current record for the 5.6 kilometer long race is only 30 minutes. On the same day as the summer race, the Brecon Beacons National Park also holds its annual sixteen kilometer Fan y Big Horseshoe Race.
Those who travel to the peak of Pen y Fan will be rewarded with some of the most awe-inspiring views of the region. It is said that when the day is clear, one can see even the Bristol Channel as well as the islands in the channel, Flat Holm and Steep Holm. You can also see the Swansea Bay, Cardigan Bay, and the Carmarthen Bay from the summit. The peak is the highest in South Wales and as such, you can see the far off Black Mountains, Cambrian Mountains as well as most of Mid and South Wales.