Picws Du and Fan Brycheiniog - the Black Mountain

Submitted by Timwoods on 08 August 2010

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A circular, full-day mountain (above 600m) walk in Wales starting at Glyntawe, Powys, about 18km (roughly 11 miles) long and . This is my favourite walk in the Brecon Beacons; the view across the north face of the sandstone escarpment from Fan Foel is the finest in South Wales. The long ridge of Fan Hir also makes for a fine hour of walking on the journey in. It's a fair old walk, too: Fan Brycheiniog is 802m. Start from Glyntawe, which is a bustling little town thanks to the nearby Dan-yr-Ogof caves. Buses running between Brecon and Ystredgynlais stop at Glyntawe; the nearest train station is Ammanford. Start: Glyntawe, OS Grid: SN843162 Elevation Profile (x: waypoint number, y: metres)

Gain (+/- 10%): 1051m (3450ft)

Total (+/- 10%): 2095m (6874ft)

Loss (+/- 10%): 1043m (3424ft)

Max. Elevation: 790m (2591ft)

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Show Waypoint Details

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Waypoints

1. Glyntawe

OS Grid: SN843162

Start in the village of Glyntawe. From the bus stop, head up the road towards the Tafarn-y-Garreg pub. On the opposite side of the road is a footpath, which quickly crosses the river into Ty Hendrey farm. Follow the path uphill through the farm and onto the lower slopes of Allt Fach.

2. Allt Fach

About 2 km (roughly 2 miles) from 1 OS Grid: SN842179

After a steep start, the slope levels out a little more and the dramatic ridge of Fan Hir stands out in front.

3. Fan Hir

About 3 km (roughly 2 miles) from 2 OS Grid: SN831207

It's surely the finest ridge in South Wales - not knife-edge or nerve-wracking, but 3km of easy plodding with fantastic views down the eastern face of the escarpment.

4. Fan Brycheiniog

About 1 km (roughly 1 miles) from 3 OS Grid: SN825218

The highest point of the day is Fan Brycheiniog, 802m high. Lovely views down to Llyn y Fan Fawr. I recommend this as your first lunch/tea stop.

5. Fan Foel

About 1 km (roughly 1 miles) from 4 OS Grid: SN821223

Best view of the day comes from the outpost of Fan Foel - gaze west across the corrie of Llyn y Fan Fach and the cliffs of Bannau Sir Gaer.

6. Picws Du

About 1 km (roughly 1 miles) from 5 OS Grid: SN811217

Continue along around the ridge to Picws Du (749m).

7. Waun Lefrith

About 1 km (roughly 1 miles) from 6 OS Grid: SN797214

Keep on to the end of the clifftop at Waun Lefrith. From here, take a bearing towards the bridleway junction near Pen-Rhiw-goch. Note - in poor visibilty, this is where the terrain gets tricky, as it is open moorland. If it's really bad, consider retracing your steps to use the ridge as a handrail.

8. Bridleway

About 1 km (roughly 1 miles) from 7 OS Grid: SN786208

The bridleway runs right across the moor back to Glyntawe. Make sure you take the right path - the southeast fork is the one to take, rather than the one heading south.

9. Ford

About 2 km (roughly 2 miles) from 8 OS Grid: SN803197

Cross the stream and keep heading southeast.

10. Carreg Goch

About 2 km (roughly 2 miles) from 9 OS Grid: SN820183

The path weaves through an area of shake holes, with several peat hags and bogy conditions underfoot. If time and weather permit, take in the minor tops of Carreg Goch (558m) for another fine view down to the Afon Giedd valley.

11. Cwm Haffes

About 2 km (roughly 2 miles) from 10 OS Grid: SN833174

Final detour of the day - leave the path briefly to look down the Cwm Haffes valley.

12. Glyntawe campsite

About 1 km (roughly 1 miles) from 11 OS Grid: SN841162

Follow the bridleway past the Glyntawe campsite into the village for a well-earned pot of tea.