Brecon Beacons
Our base for this weekend was the YHA hostel at Llwyn-y-celin, Libanus, a traditional Welsh farmhouse in the heart of the Beacons.
On Saturday morning we set out after a hearty breakfast at the hostel for our first walk straight from the door. As we climbed up to the main road. the views all round were just beautiful. Further up, as we reached Twyn dylluan-ddu, we could look over as far as Libanus, Brecon and across to the Black Mountains. Before stopping for lunch we reached our high point - Far Fawr. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse and it was wet weather gear out - however we managed to lunch looking over the wonderful landscape below - after a quick walk over to the trig point with its 360 degree we started our steep decent: a quick stop in the rain for a cuppa at a travelling cafe and then (Oh joy!) a flat walk for the last hour back to the hostel.
On Sunday, as we prepared to leave Llwyn-y-Celyn, we looked towards the top of Pen-y-Fan only to find it obscured by low mist and cloud. A relatively good weather forecast gave us grounds for optimism but would it improve before our ascent of the ridge?
After a 6 mile drive along a single track road we were at the start of the walk with the well marked path rising steadily ahead of us. We were soon on the ridge of Cefn Cwm Llwch where breaks in the cloud offered us more and more frequent glimpses of the summit of Pen-y-Fan rising ahead of us. To the east, the summit of Cribyn came in to view and beyond it the ridge to Fan-y-Big but our route took us south and steepened sharply as we scrambled to the top of Pen-y-Fan, which at 886m is the highest point in the Brecon Beacons. From the top of Pen-y-Fan we could see the route of our walk drop and rise again to the craggy top of Corn-Du. The views in all directions were spectacular but after a brief stop we chose to move on from the relatively crowded mountain top, deciding to lunch instead, at the top of Corn-du.
On Saturday morning we set out after a hearty breakfast at the hostel for our first walk straight from the door. As we climbed up to the main road. the views all round were just beautiful. Further up, as we reached Twyn dylluan-ddu, we could look over as far as Libanus, Brecon and across to the Black Mountains. Before stopping for lunch we reached our high point - Far Fawr. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse and it was wet weather gear out - however we managed to lunch looking over the wonderful landscape below - after a quick walk over to the trig point with its 360 degree we started our steep decent: a quick stop in the rain for a cuppa at a travelling cafe and then (Oh joy!) a flat walk for the last hour back to the hostel.
On Sunday, as we prepared to leave Llwyn-y-Celyn, we looked towards the top of Pen-y-Fan only to find it obscured by low mist and cloud. A relatively good weather forecast gave us grounds for optimism but would it improve before our ascent of the ridge?
After a 6 mile drive along a single track road we were at the start of the walk with the well marked path rising steadily ahead of us. We were soon on the ridge of Cefn Cwm Llwch where breaks in the cloud offered us more and more frequent glimpses of the summit of Pen-y-Fan rising ahead of us. To the east, the summit of Cribyn came in to view and beyond it the ridge to Fan-y-Big but our route took us south and steepened sharply as we scrambled to the top of Pen-y-Fan, which at 886m is the highest point in the Brecon Beacons. From the top of Pen-y-Fan we could see the route of our walk drop and rise again to the craggy top of Corn-Du. The views in all directions were spectacular but after a brief stop we chose to move on from the relatively crowded mountain top, deciding to lunch instead, at the top of Corn-du.
Enjoying some sunshine at the hostel. We wrap us as rain approaches
By the time we were descending from Corn-Du the weather was warm and sunny and our spirits were high and only dampened briefly when we stopped at the monument to Tommy Jones, where we read of the tragic end of this five-year-old, who was lost on the mountain more than 100 years ago. Beyond the monument our route descended steeply past the waters of Llyn Cwm Llwch down to the road where we had a short walk back the cars. This is deservedly one of the most popular walks in the Brecon Beacons and our ascent up the steeper face was surely more satisfying than the gentler route from the Storey Arms.
However, four of us decided against climbing up to Pen-y-Fan and instead had a really enjoyable walk on a warm, sunny day from the hostel into the market town of Brecon. The lovely stroll took us through the countryside, fields with cows and sheep and farmyards. Once in Brecon we visited the wonderful cathedral dating back to a fortification built by a half brother of William the Conqueror and later developed into the priory of St John the Evangelist (where we fortified ourselves with some refreshment at the Pilgrims' cafe before getting the local bus back to the hostel.
After delicious evening meals on both Saturday and Sunday, courtesy of the hostel's chef, we gathered in the lounge where Brian on his guitar and Helen on the spoons led two hilarious evenings of singing! Half- remembered songs from pre-school, the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s surfaced from our collective memories, everything from Waltzing Matilda to Flower of Scotland to Wooden Heart! Hysterical disgraceful fun!
Monday, and our last day, meant an early start for a short walk before the long journey home. So it was out of the hostel and through the nature reserve under the cliffs of Craig Cerrig gleisiad, with the sun shining, and a steady climb through purple heather and rowan trees laden with red berries. Lots of stops to admire the view and pick the small blue-black win berries. Up on the ridge there was a cooling wind and we took coffee at the summit of Fan Frynych. Before us was a spectacular view across mid Wales and the Black Mountains, all the summits on which we had trod were in sunshine. Finally, it was down the ridge and back to the hostel and the cars and home. Diane and Lesley
However, four of us decided against climbing up to Pen-y-Fan and instead had a really enjoyable walk on a warm, sunny day from the hostel into the market town of Brecon. The lovely stroll took us through the countryside, fields with cows and sheep and farmyards. Once in Brecon we visited the wonderful cathedral dating back to a fortification built by a half brother of William the Conqueror and later developed into the priory of St John the Evangelist (where we fortified ourselves with some refreshment at the Pilgrims' cafe before getting the local bus back to the hostel.
After delicious evening meals on both Saturday and Sunday, courtesy of the hostel's chef, we gathered in the lounge where Brian on his guitar and Helen on the spoons led two hilarious evenings of singing! Half- remembered songs from pre-school, the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s surfaced from our collective memories, everything from Waltzing Matilda to Flower of Scotland to Wooden Heart! Hysterical disgraceful fun!
Monday, and our last day, meant an early start for a short walk before the long journey home. So it was out of the hostel and through the nature reserve under the cliffs of Craig Cerrig gleisiad, with the sun shining, and a steady climb through purple heather and rowan trees laden with red berries. Lots of stops to admire the view and pick the small blue-black win berries. Up on the ridge there was a cooling wind and we took coffee at the summit of Fan Frynych. Before us was a spectacular view across mid Wales and the Black Mountains, all the summits on which we had trod were in sunshine. Finally, it was down the ridge and back to the hostel and the cars and home. Diane and Lesley
Looking over the Black Mountains from the summit of Fan Fawr. Taking a mid-morning break
