Walk 2: The 4-Peaks Beacons Traverse (West to East)

This strenous walk commences near the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre on the A470, 8 miles south of Brecon. The route visits the main peaks in the Brecon Beacons, Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big and then crosses the weird landscape of Waun Rydd to descend into Glyn Collwn near the Aber. It joins the Brynore Tramroad and then ends by passing through Talybont-on-Usk to arrive back at The Allt on the A40.

There is an hourly bus service from close to The Allt to Storey Arms Monday to Saturday, but not on Sunday. Click here for the X43 bus timetable (a pdf file). On Sundays, depending on business, we may be able to either take you to Storey Arms, or take you back to Storey Arms after the walk to pick up your car.

The Beacons can look quite benign on a nice day but these mountains must not be underestimated. You must be properly equipped and be prepared for low cloud and mist descending quickly to obscure the route ahead. A compass and an Ordnance Survey map are essential. The maps below are meant as a supplement only, to illustrate the guidance, and to help you plan your day.

This walk is about 16 miles long. Quite a lot of energy will be expended in reaching all the peaks and an adequately high level of fitness is required. You should allow about 6 hours for the walk.

1. There are two car parks at Storey Arms; the route starts at the end of the wood that borders the larger, 400m to the south of the Outdoor Centre. Go through the gate and cross the stream on the footbridge to start the ascent to Bwlch Duwynt.

2. Be prepared for the mountain wave, the wind, that greets you at the saddle! On a fine day the view to the east is breathtaking. Bear left and ascend to the summit of Corn Du.

3. From Corn Du descend eastwards on a rough path and join the path that leads up to the summit of Pen y -Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain.

4. The descent from the summit of Pen-y-Fan towards the saddle towards Cribyn requires some careful scrambling but eventually becomes easier. Now, from the edge of Craig Cwm Sere, the steep path up the jagged tooth of Cribyn looks daunting but the path is a good one. That doesn't mean that care is not required. There are steep drops off this mountain!

5. Leave the summit of Cribyn, in mist follow a bearing of 150 degrees. The descent is gradual at first but steepens as the Gap Road at Bwlch ar y Fan is reached.The Gap Road once carried the soldiers of Rome to their cavalry fort at Brecon Gaer.

6. From the Gap road, ascend the obvious path to towards the summit of Fan y Big.

7. From Fan y Big, descend gradually along the edge of Craig Cwmoergwm, curving around the huge natural ampitheatre of the cwm. The path continues northwest along the edge of Craig Cawreli then turns southwest to on to Bwlch y Ddwyallt.

8. Arrive at a junction of three tracks where the first one coming from your right, along Graig Fan Las, meets the descending Rhiw Bwlch y Ddwyallt, ahead, and the track to Carn Pica. This middle one is the one to be followed. Its initial direction is on a bearing of 100 degrees but gradually turns due east as the cairn is approached.The strange landscape of Waun Rydd lies to the right of the path; water erosion has left substantial peat hags that dominate the plateau. The view from the cairn can be stupendous: Talybont Reservoir lies below at the foot of Tor y Foel, with Allt yr Esgair at the other side of the valley with the Black Mountains in the background, Sugar Loaf and the Blorenge rise to the south. You can also see your destination at 'The Allt'.

9. The descent from Carn Pica is very steep and can be treacherous if icy or even just wet. The route over Twyn Du from the saddle below can be seen if the weather is fine, otherwise follow a bearing of 85 degrees from the saddle to climb its easy slope. On the descent the path (a view from the other direction), in summer through thick bracken, steeply descends to reach a fence and a gate at the lowest corner point of this access land. There are other gates but it's this one you should aim for.

10. Pass through the gate and follow the track downward between fences until a tarmac road leading to the left is reached. Follow this road as it curves to the right to meet the main Glyn Collwn road between the Aber and the Talybont Dam. Turn left.

11. Pass through the Aber and cross the bridge over the Clydach. Continue until Aber Farm is reached. Pass through the public path gate that is just opposite the farm.Continue on this path and cross the Caerfanell on a gated footbridge. Go slightly to the left and climb the steps to a gate near the old railway bridge. Go under the bridge and turn left. Pass through a kissing gate and bearing right, keep to the fence as it skirts a line of old hawthorns. A gentle ascent reaches the Brinore Tramroad through a gate or over a stile.

12. Go left down the tramroad, pass through another gate that lies across the track, note the Henry Vaughan Memorial Garden on the left. Cross an old railway bridge, down to a canal bridge behind the White Hart.

13. Turn right on the main street of Talybont-on-Usk, under a railway bridge, and turn left into Station Road. Continue on this road to again cross the Caerfanell and reach the next bridge, over the Usk. Cross the bridge and turn right reaching the A40 at the end of this path. Cross the road and you're back at The Allt. Have a relaxing hot bath. You've earned it!