Brecon Beacons (Fan Brycheiniog & Fan Foel) |
Map used:- Brecon Beacons National Park/ Western area/ Explorer OL12 |
Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog/ Ardal gorllewinol/ Explorer OL12 |
To get your copy click on the map at the bottom of the page:- |
| After being rained off twice running up to this trip we were eager to get this one in the bag. We came across it purely by accident whilst searching for another route on the map. The contours and location really made this walk an attractive option. Third time lucky and the weather was looking good. |
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8.00am and we were heading down the motorway to clear skies and the potential for one of those crystal clear winter days. We arrived at the car park across the road from a pub. .(*GR171849*) Around 9.00am we were wrapped in our winter woollies and proceeded to leave the car park onto the footpath heading north west towards the settlement. This path crosses over a river and skirts around a farm which then leads into the mountains. From there we headed along the footpath (also known as the Brecon Way) into the valley, which follows the river up to Fan Fechan. |  |
| The path leads you past some of the nicest waterfalls in South Wales and being February giant icicles had formed which glistened in the winter sun. It was a real gem to find! After following the path for a hour we arrived at Llyn y Fan Fawr which is a small lake situated at the bottom of Fan Brycheiniog. |
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We had a rest and a cup of tea and we were soon on our way once again. We took the path heading north west up the side of the mountain leading to the top of Fan Brycheiniog.We came to a small section on the route which is fairly steep but soon we were high up in the mountain. |  |
| Before we knew it we were standing on top looking across the welsh mountains. Amazingly the weather had stayed clear and you could see for miles. The mountains in south Wales might not be the highest in the country but the scenery is as good as anywhere in the UK. So after all the picture taking, smiling and general happy chit chat we decided to walk along the top to Fan Foel. A short stroll but well worth it to see the views north towards the Usk Reservoir. |
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After taking many photos of the breathtaking scenery we turned around and walked back to Fan Brycheiniog. From here we decided to walk south along the top to Bwich Gledd and further along the ridge of Fan Hir and eventually back down the valley onto the Brecon Way . |  |
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On our way back we came across the most amazing site.. a backwards waterfall!! Yes really. Perched on top the the ridge were great columns of ice the size of baseball bats over an area of 40 feet square. The water had been falling over the edge but had been blown back over the top by icy cold winds and had frozen to leave these weird ice sculptures. You really had to see them to believe them. After all the excitement we headed back down onto the footpath and back into the car park. Over a cup of tea we realised what we had acheived and had completed something we had thought of doing for a long time. Our persistence had paid off with the added bonus of the ice sculpture from mother nature. A great result and worth every step! |
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Vicky Stowe & Tristan Bawn. |
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