hikes in Brecon Beacons National Park

Established as a national park in 1957, Brecon Beacons National Park is a beautifully scenic stretch of terrain in the south of Wales that features a wide variety of landscapes from rugged mountain ranges to rolling countryside, open moorland, and ancient forests. It was the third national park to be designated in Wales, following Snowdonia and the Pembrokeshire Coast in 1951 and 1952, respectively.

The park can largely be divided into four sections, with the Black Mountain range in the west, Fforest Fawr and the Brecon Beacons in the centre, and the confusingly titled Black Mountains to the east. The highest point in the park, Pen-y-Fan at 2907ft, is one of the most popular walking destinations in Southern Britain, as it offers sweeping views that extend out across the Bristol Channel to Exmoor.

Thanks largely to the diversity and natural beauty of its terrain, Brecon Beacons National Park is an area popular with tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, seeing an approximate 4.4 million visitors who spend an average of £278 million each year. The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has thus been tasked with conservation and enhancement efforts to ensure that the environment there is both looked after and suitable for enjoyment by the public. For those looking to experience the beautifully wild landscape of Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park is a great place to do so.

10 Best Walking Routes In Brecon Beacons National Park

The stunningly diverse landscape of Brecon Beacons National Park makes it an ideal area to explore if you are looking for an amazing walking excursion in the United Kingdom. A mixture of rolling countryside, tranquil ancient forests, charming villages, and dramatic peaks means that there will never be a shortage of amazing scenery, and that there will always be a wide variety of trails to match up with every skill and age level. If you are looking to explore the vast and wild beauty of Wales but aren’t sure where to start, check out this fantastic list of what we think are the 10 best walking routes in Brecon Beacons National Park:

• Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du Circular Walk: Arguably the most popular walking route in the central beacons of Brecon Beacons National Park, this trail will take you uphill to the breathtaking summit viewpoints atop Corn Du and Pen-y-Fan for a spectacular sightline across the surrounding mountains and picturesque Welsh countryside.
• Ystradfellte Four Waterfalls Walk: This is an spectacular adventure for those times when you aren’t looking to take on a huge day of uphill walking and simply want to explore the forest while taking in some amazing riverside and waterfall views.
• Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr Circular Walk: Situated in the western part of Brecon Beacons National Park, this fantastic walking route will lead you across the rugged terrain of the Carmarthen Fans to visit the charming lakes of Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr.
• Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Circular Walk: Another amazing route in the central beacons, this trail will take you high up into the mountains across the peaks of Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn, and Fan-y-Big to experience exceptional views of the surrounding mountains and valleys of the park.
• Brecon Beacons Four Peaks Walk: While this route may be very popular, it is deservedly so, as it will take you across the summits of the central beacons of Corn Du, Pen-y-Fan, Cribyn, and Fan-y Big. Traversing the mountainous terrain along this route will provide a great workout and outstanding views.
• Parc Bryn Bach Circular Walk: A charming walking route just on the edge of Brecon Beacons National Park, the Parc Bryn Bach Circular will lead you around a lovely 36 acre lake to experience some pleasant views of the surrounding landscape.
• Usk Reservoir Walk: This fun walking route will lead you through the Welsh countryside to visit the lovely Usk Reservoir and its woodland surroundings, asking for a great afternoon for the entire family.
• Talybont Reservoir Walk: Another great reservoir walk, the Talybont Reservoir Trail will take you through the open countryside and charming forests surrounding the largest stillwater reservoir in the central beacons.
• Fforest Fawr Circular Walk: A slightly difficult route to navigate, the Fforest Fawr Circular Walk will take you through the mountains for some exceptional views overlooking the park and the opportunity to visit the scenic Ystradfellte Reservoir.
• Llanfrynach and Fan-y-Big Walk: This challenging walking route will see you traverse the open Welsh countryside and make your way into the central beacons, where you will be able to visit the ‘diving board’ rock formation at Fan-y-Big and capture some amazing photos.

When is the Best Time to Walk in Brecon Beacons National Park?

While the climate of Brecon Beacons National Park is fairly mild year-round, the mountainous and exposed landscape can be challenging to traverse, particularly during the wetter months of the year. If you are hoping to get the most out of your walking adventure in Brecon Beacons National Park, the best time to visit would be during the May-September window, when the weather is at its warmest and driest.

Other Outdoor Activities in Brecon Beacons National Park

The diverse landscape of Brecon Beacons National Park makes it an ideal place to explore, no matter what your preferred outdoor activity is. While the most popular thing to do here is walk the park’s many trails, there are a great number of other opportunities available, such as camping, wild swimming, fishing in the region’s many reservoirs and waterways, cycling, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing/abseiling, and stargazing.

Epic Adventure Tours Near Brecon Beacons National Park

While everyone can agree that taking part in a fantastic adventure is a great experience that will create lasting memories, the planning aspect of such an excursion can often be a tedious affair. If you are looking to avoid fussing about over accommodations, itineraries, and things to do, then you should check out this list of amazing adventure tours in the nearby South of England that will leave the planning to the professionals so that you can focus on exploring the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brecon Beacons National Park

How big is Brecon Beacons National Park?

Brecon Beacons National Park covers an area of 1344km².

What is unique about Brecon Beacons National Park?

Brecon Beacons National Park is such a unique place, thanks to a diverse landscape characterized by a picturesque countryside, rolling hills, cascading waterfalls, rugged mountains, and beautiful forests.

What is the highest point in the Brecon Beacons?

At an elevation of 2907ft above sea level, the highest point in the Brecon Beacons (and southern Britain in general) is Pen-y-Fan.

Find other spectacular walking regions in the United Kingdom

• Cotswolds
• Lake District
• Peak District
• Snowdonia
• Cairngorms National Park
• Loch Lomond and The Trossachs