Walk 06/2009 – Brecon

Sunday 1st March 2009

The Brecon Beacons Horseshoe (and variations on a theme)

The slow groups

We were so lucky with the weather – blue skies and sunshine – perfect conditions for our fell walking today. We split up into two groups with the first group taking in an extra ridge.

Our group had an initial steep climb and we then decided to split again into two.

It seemed to be getting hotter as we climbed and we soon had to remove our woolly hats and jackets and apply sunscreen as we started our ascent of Pen y Fan (sixth highest peak in Wales). It was very exhilarating and we enjoyed the spectacular views from the summit.

After lunch we tackled Corn Du – it was then downhill all the way taking us through the Cwm Llwch valley and some road walking before we were reunited with our friends in the car park .... a perfect way to spend the weekend.

Report – Claire

The fast groups

This 8.5 mile walk included the three main peaks of the Brecon Beacons and is described in a guide book as “arguably the finest mountain walk in South Wales and one of the best in the country”. Helped by a day of unexpected glorious sunshine it would be difficult to argue with that.

Ten of the fast group initially set off from the car park however after a mile walking around the foot of Pen y Fan we divided into two groups of 5 each with one completing all of this walk and the other missing out the third peak.

The climb up to the summit of Cribyn (795m) is steep and exhausting but once at the top our reward was a fantastic view across to the Black Mountains, the Usk Valley and the Peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du along with several reservoirs.

After a steep descent there is then another steep climb up to the summit of Pen Y Fan (886m), the highest point in the Brecon Beacons. Another spectacular viewpoint in all directions with mountains, forests and lakes. We sat on the large flat top eating lunch and met up with other members of the Walking Club who had reached the summit by other routes.

It is a comparitvely easy climb to the third summit Corn Du (873m) and then an initial steep descent onto the edge of an escarpment. There we passed a memorial stone dedicated to Tommy Jones a 5 year old boy who died there after becoming separated from his father in 1900.

The route then follows a descent down to the pretty small lake of Cwm Llwch into a natural amphitheatre formed by Pen Y Fan and Corn Du which encloses the lake, making a beautiful and sheltered spot.

The remainder of the walk was comparatively easy and followed a stream through a pretty valley back to the road and then a final piece of road walking back to the car park.

My favourite walk with the Walking Club so far!!

Report – Angela

So we ended up with four groups on this walk and fortunately they all got back to the car park not too far apart, so that our return to Peterborough was not delayed.

Pictures – Alan and Angela

Walk rating – Very Good

A view after the first part of the climb up Pen y Fan.

Another view from the Pen y Fan ridge.

The Pen y Fan ridge.

The ridge from the top.

Looking to the south–east from the top.

Looking down on Llyn Cwm Llwch from Corn Du.

Pen y Fan from just below Corn Du.

A view on the way down from Corn Du.

The Cwm Llwch valley.

Cwm Llwch.

This tree made a good picture.

Cribyn to the left and Pen Y Fan to the right are the targets. And Geoff is going like a bullet.

Pen Y Fan in its splendour.

Cribyn from the top of Pen Y Fan.