Ascent/Descent: 740m; Net Walking Time: 5 hours

Toughness: 8 out of 10

Take the 10.55 bus (line T6) from Bus Stand 7 at Brecon Bus Interchange. Arrives Glyntawe 11.32. The last return bus runs at 16.09 (arrives 16.41).

A stunning ridge walk, out and back, to the highest peak on The Black Mountain (Fan Brycheiniog, 802m), one of the highest peaks in South Wales, with an option to continue to the next top along the ridge, Fan Foel (781m) for more stunning views to the North. Often referred to as the last wilderness in the Brecon Beacons National Park, the landscape is glacial, treeless, with steep escarpments, and with stunning views over South and West Wales and to the Bristol Channel.

From a bus stop on the A 4067 you climb steeply up to the Fan Hir ridge and follow on with a long gradual ascent to the summit of Fan Brycheiniog ('Brecknock Beacon') with its storm shelter and trigpoint. The route is very exposed, so this is a walk for a clear sunny day, with little wind or rain. After dropping down to a saddle you re-ascend to the most northerly top on the ridge Fan Foel, the site of an early Bronze Age Round Barrow. From here you have spectacular views to the moorland and open country to the north, as well as along the stunningly picturesque Bannau Sir Gaer ('Carmarthen Fans') to the west. Return the way you came.

Longer Walk Option: Continue along the ridge along the route of SWC 279, just make sure you get back to base in time for the bus!

Lunch: Picnic lunch.

Tea: Tafarn Y Garreg or The Gwyn Arms.

For walk directions and options, route map, height profile, photos or gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.86