Walk 2349 - printer friendly version

Pen Y Fan & Corn Du from near Storey Arms Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.6 miles / 7.5 km

Ascent - 1700 feet / 515 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SN987200
Lat 51.8693460 + Long -3.4727104
Postcode LD3 8NL (approx. location only)

Pen y Fan (886 m) is the highest peak in The Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog) and southern Britain. The summit offers spectacular views in all directions. This route offers a quieter way to the summit and includes the neighbouring peak of Corn Du. The walk follows clear paths.

The start is the National Trust Pont ar Daf pay and display car park alongside the A470 (grid ref. SN987200). After parking, walk to the northern end of the car park and join the track running parallel to the road. Continue past the Storey Arms outdoor centre and take the path heading right just after the red phone box. The path climbs steadily initially with a plantation on your right. Continue ahead onto open hillside to reach a gate (grid ref. SN990211). The route then descends briefly to cross Blaen Taf Fawr (stream) and heads uphill with Corn Du in sight ahead. As you make progress uphill it is worth looking back with a view to the Carmarthen Fans.

Stay on the path to reach the edge of the escarpment and turn right for the final steeper climb onto Carn Du's summit, which usually sees fewer people than Pen y Fan. From the summit you have an excellent view to the main objective of the walk, namely Pen Y Fan. Cross the summit area and follow the wide path that descends to a saddle before heading uphill to Pen y Fan. The view is excellent with many other peaks in view, the steep escarpment, and Upper Neuadd Reservoir in the valley far below.

To start the return, retrace your steps into the saddle and fork left onto a clear path that avoids Corn Du's summit. Reaching a path junction at Bwlch Duwynt (grid ref, SO006209) continue straight across to take the path heading southwest (The Beacons Way). On a fine day you can expect the path to be busy as you return down to the Pont ar Daf car park, where there are public toilets and, in season, a refreshment van.

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