Brecon Beacons (Pen y Fan) Horseshoe from Neuadd Reservoir walk

The ridge linking the four table-top peaks traversed on this walk (Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Fan y Big) forms the majestic core of the Central Brecon Beacons and contains the three highest tops in South Wales. As a result, this classic horseshoe walk around a steep sided glacial valley is amongst the best ridge walks in South Britain, featuring some spectacular views in all directions in good weather.

From a remote reservoir north of Merthyr Tydfil you climb steeply to reach the ridge, from where the gradient is mostly fairly gentle over good engineered paths as you follow a sequence of steep escarpments to Corn Du and Pen y Fan. Pen y Fan is the southern-most mountain in Britain and a large glacial grassy mound with steep glacial sides.
Continuing along the ridge up to Cribyn (which requires a steep ascent and descent, but it can easily be circumvented).
Descent to a col, and either take a good gently downhill track back to the start, or make a final ascent to Fan y Big to complete the horsehoe. An out-and-back extension further along the fairly level ridge – to Waun Rydd alongside an upland bog – offers more superb views, lastly along the Usk Valley.

Route finding is easy (in clear weather), as the whole of the horseshoe route is visible at all times. Despite some steep drops this walk is not scary or dangerous, but it is exceptionally exposed to the elements.

As the horseshoe walk starts from a remote car park, 8 more accessible ascents to the ridge are described.

Note: Corn Du and Pen y Fan are very popular peaks as they can be (relatively) easily accessed from car parks on the A470. Expect lots of walkers (experienced and not) on that short stretch, in any weather.

The drama of the ridge walk develops best when approached from the Neuadd Reservoir car park, slowly ascending to the ridge and then up to the tops along it, before gently descending back to the start, but the car park is very remote. Therefore 8 other approaches to the ridge are described, enabling a start from:

• car parks and bus stops along the A470, and a Youth Hostel south of Libanus
• Brecon,
• Talybont-on-Usk,
• a car park near the highest road pass in the Brecon Beacons (i.e.: with the least amount of ascent to the ridge)

These starts inevitably add distance and ascent to the walk, making it a very strenuous walk if also completing the full horseshoe. On the other hand they enable numerous variations of the ridge walk, going up one route, completing some of the ridge walk and/or the extension, and descending a different route. For an overview of the various ascent and descent options check the route map on the SWC website and for all details see pages 8 and 15 of the walk directions pdf respectively.

The Neuadd Reservoir access road car park, CF48 2UT, car only, no public transport, is about 3.5 hours (165 miles) from London. Its a small car park, busy at weekends. In winter (only) you can continue further along to a car barrier with a few side-of-the-road spots by the barrier at the end, but don't block the farmer's gate. The closest facilities (from the south) are the Red Cow Inn in Pontsticill on the way to/from Merthyr (and Cardiff, the M4), or in Methyr itself. Note: The M4 River Severn Toll has ended.

Storey Arms Bus Stop is on line T4/T14 (Cardiff - Pontypridd – Merthyr Tydfil – Brecon – Newtown (T4) / Ross-on-Wye (T14)), with 6 buses a day Mon-Sat and 5 on Sundays and Bank Holidays. As of Feb-19, T4/14 is free at weekends.

Talybont-on-Usk is on line 43/X43 (Abergavenny – Brecon) with 7 buses a day Mon-Sat and 4 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: This walk is doable as a daywalk from London by car.

Accommodation is available in Brecon (to the north), Merthyr Tydfil (to the south) & Crickhowell (to the east), and in the Llwyn-y-Celyn Youth Hostel on the T4 bus route.