Pull on your boots and discover the wide open spaces of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park with these five varied walks in this beautiful location.

Storey Arms to Pen y Fan

The Storey Arms route takes you right to the top of the highest peak in the National Park. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? The good news is that it’s a moderate, four mile circular walk that anyone of average fitness can tackle. Just before the final ascent there are wonderful views down over the Neuadd Valley. From the summit, on a clear day, you will be rewarded with spectacular views.

The cairn at the top of Pen y Fan from above.
View of mountains and blue sky.

Summit of Pen y Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Mid Wales

Mynydd Illtud from the Visitor Centre

North of the National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus, the landscape opens out into a grassy common clad with bracken and gorse. Red kites and other raptors often soar overhead and you may also see butterflies, wheatears and larks. Several easy footpaths crisscross the common, making this a satisfying place to stroll for an hour or two.

lake with trees and mountain in background.
top of grassy common, with trigpoint marker.
field with hay rolls and trees, with mountain in background.

Mynydd Illtud, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Mid Wales

The Beacons Circuit

The epic Beacons Circuit 11 mile circular walk takes in all the main summits and ridges of the Central Beacons. From Storey Arms, stride up to Corn Du (873m), continue to Pen y Fan (886m) and on to Cribyn (795m). Then descend via the Neuadd Reservoirs. Expect big skies when you’re up on the peaks and a real sense of achievement at the end.

ornate reservoir feature, with mountain in background.
countryside with zig zag gravel pathway and mountain in background.

Neuadd Reservoirs, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Mid Wales

Pen y Fan and Cribyn from Cwm Gwdi

Climb the highest peaks in the Beacons by the back door by taking the lesser known Pen y Fan and Cribyn from Cwm Gwdi route from the north, and you’ll see these much loved mountains in a different light. On the way up, there are great views of Cwm llwch, a textbook example of a glacial cirque. The round trip of 7.5 miles is likely to take you three or four hours.

Path to Pen y Fan.
Views from Pen y Fan.

Big skies and spectacular views await when you climb Pen y Fan, Mid Wales

Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

The towpath from Brecon travels through beautiful Mid Wales scenery with views of farmland, woodland and mountains. The first stretch of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, from Brecon’s Theatr Brycheiniog, is a pleasant, pushchair-friendly stroll with interpretation boards and a picnic area. If you keep going, 35 miles later you’ll reach the end of the canal at Pontymoile Basin.

View from a narrowboat approaching a bridge.
Family cycling along canal towpath at Pencelli, Pen y Fan in background, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
Image of a small stone bridge over a river and houses

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Mid Wales

Useful information

Related stories