Craig Y Fan Ddu, Brecon Beacons
Location: Talybont-On-Usk, Brecon Beacons, Wales
Car Park co-ordinates: 51.84787° N, 3.37300° W
Length: 5 miles
Time Taken: 3 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate - Hard
Elevation Gain: 444m
Find the map at the bottom of the page.
If you’re searching for a hike that encompasses stunning mountain views, luscious moss-covered forests, magical waterfalls AND a WWII crash landing memorial site, then you should add this one to your list.
You begin the walk by heading over the stile and straight up to the first peak, Craig Y Fan Ddu (683m). The walk follows the entire ridge which is flat at the top and therefore, really easy going on your legs once you get to the top.
Approx. halway through the walk, you’ll see stunning views over to the Pen Y Fan horseshoe and beyond on a good day. And then you can either head up to Waun Rydd (769m) and Carn Pica (756m) and rejoin the trail at the bottom. Or, you can head half-way down the ridge in search of the WWII crash landing site of a Wellington Bomber. (The latter I’d highly recommend).
The trail gets a little muddy as you head down towards the river so bare that in mind when you attempt this walk. This is where you’ll pass the magical waterfalls cascading down the river to your right with the shadow of Carn Pica behind you.
I wish I brought my swim stuff with me because a little dip in the river would have been perfect. I’m unsure how deep the deepest part it but you could certainly paddle and cool your feet down.
After you cross the bridge, you then head up into the moss-covered forest, passed some more waterfalls and finally ending at the carpark where you began.
