The Pen y Fan Horseshoe

The finest walk in the Brecon Beacons

This horseshoe ridge route to Pen y Fan's magnificent 886m summit is just over 9miles long and takes around 6 hours to complete. 

An early start sees us meet in the Brecon Beacon's beautiful Taf Fechan Forest. The hike starts with the short flat walk along the  country road leading to the disused Neuadd reservoir pump house. This spot provides an incredible view of the ridge and circuit of the four peaks ahead.

Next comes the most challenging part of the hike. A steep climb up to the Graig Fan Ddu Ridge via a long, steep flight of steps. The views become more and more magnificent during the ascent. Once at the top, a walk along the ridge takes us through moorland with the distant peaks growing slowly larger and larger until we reach the final steep climb to the first of our 4 summits, Corn Du.

On a clear day, we are met with the most magical view for miles, towering over the surrounding Welsh countryside. Spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys, the Brecon Beacons National Park, Sugar Loaf and the Black Mountains.

After Corn Du, we drop a little, before climbing to our highest point, the impressive summit of Pen y Fan at 886m. A great place to stop for lunch, while enjoying the view on a nice day.

We continue around this circular horseshoe route with a quick descent before climbing once more to the top of the next peak, Cribyn. As we look back, the views of Pen y Fan's steep face arching around behind us is one of the most iconic in the Brecon Beacons.

Finally walkers have the option of either taking a well earned rest or tackling the shorter sharp out and back ascent of Fan-y-Big. This final peak is the home of the famous "Diving Board", from which the brave can take some impressively daring pictures!

We return via the Roman Road, which takes us back through the peaceful Neuadd Valley and back to the car park.

Both more challenging and far more rewarding than the short simple walk up from the main tourist car park, which the masses take at haste to the top of the highest mountain in southern Wales. This route around the U-shaped Neuadd Valley provides a far more spectacular way to truly experience the Brecon Beacons.