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PEN-Y-FAN (2907 ft) (Grid Ref. SO 012215) |
CORN DU (2863 ft) (Grid. Ref. SO 001218) |
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Starting From
CWM LLWCH FARM
(Grid Ref. SO 006237)
A moderate walk of about 7 miles to the summit of the two highest mountains in
South Wales. Allow yourself about 3 to 4 hours plus time on summits
From Brecon town centre, drive west over the Usk Bridge into Llanfaes.
Go about half mile, then turn
left into the minor road opposite the Drovers Arms pub.
Follow this road under the Bypass and on for about another half mile to where the road crosses a bridge then branches 3 ways.
Take the CENTRAL road of the three and follow this single track road for about 2 miles.
Do not turn off anywhere.
On reaching the cross roads at
the end of the road, go straight over and into the farm track opposite.
Follow this for about three quarters of a mile until you reach a gate.
Go through gate and park on
the grass on the left. (Grid Ref. SO 006237)
(Remember to close the gate after
you)
From here continue to walk along the farm track, cross the wooden bridge over the stream at the Loggin.
Go through the gate and follow on until you reach the old
Cefn Cwm-Llwch Farm (Grid Ref. SO 005237)
This building is now a Mountain Rescue Post, Telephone and Rescue Equipment can be found here.
Turn right just before the gate and then follow the wall around to your left up to the stiles.
Cross over both stiles and then continue uphill until you come to a large bolder. (Grid Ref. SO 004229)
Stop for a few moments rest to take in the view and get your breath back.
Just above this bolder, cross over ladder stile and continue uphill until you reach a cairn (pile of stones).
Here the path branches two ways. (Grid Ref. SO 003224).
At this point you have a choice:
1. The Right-hand path leads straight on and up with a more gradual climb to the ridge.
2. The Left-hand path
leads you over a steep hump and then on the other side you will find a small
lake.
Llyn-Cwm-Llwch (Grid Ref. SO 002221)
High above you are the steep slopes of
Corn Du
You are now just over 1,800 feet above sea level.
From this lake, the path climbs a steep zigzag up to your right to rejoin the other path just befofe the ridge.
At this point, turn left. Follow for a short distance then over to your right, away from the ridge, you will find the
Tommy Jones Obelisk (Grid. Ref. SO 001218). Read the inscription.
From the obelisk, the route follows the edge of the ridge all the way to the summit of
Corn Du. (Grid. Ref. SO 001218)
The last couple of hundred feet is quite steep, but easy if you take your time.
BEWARE OF THE VERY STEEP CLIFF FACES ON THE
NORTHERN SIDE OF THESE TWO MOUNTAINS
IN PLACES THEY ARE OVER 1,000 FEET TO THE BOTTOM.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN WET & WINDY CONDITIONS!
On reaching the summit of Corn Du, cross the top of the flat topped summit to the opposite side. Taking in the view to the South (right hand) side over the
Taff
Fechan Valley
Follow the path down onto the Saddle between here and Pen-y-Fan
Pen-y-Fan.
(Grid Ref. SO 012215)
You are now at the highest point in South Wales, with fine views all the way round.
On a clear day, if you look South, it is possible to see all the way over to the hills of Somerset, the other side of the Bristol Channel, some 80 miles away.
If you look West you can see Camarthan Bay, at about 50 miles distant.
Looking North, you will see Brecon, and you should also be able to just make out some of the high peaks of Mid & North Wales far off in the distance.
Looking East, you will see the Sugar Loaf near Abergavenny about 20 miles away.
For your return, retrace your route back to the car park.
Or for a different route, return as far as the
Tommy Jones Obelisk.
From the Obelisk you start by keeping to the ridge path, going just to the point where you originally joined this ridge path.
Now, instead of going down to lake, go straight on, keeping to the UPPER path that follows the contours around to the Right Hand side of
Pen Milan (Grid Ref. SN 995235)
After about 1 mile you will join another path. Turn right and follow downhill.
Go another 1 mile, and follow around the double bends (quite a steep incline here).
About 300 yards past these bends turn diagonally right and go down over rough ground between the gorse bushes until you reach a fence.
Turn left; follow the fence until you arrive at a gate.
Go through gate and follow path down to the farm track near the river.
Turn Left and follow back to car park.
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