🏔️ Are the Brecon Beacons Worth Visiting? A Local Trail Guide to Pen y Fan
If you're based in South Wales or just visiting Cardiff for a few days, then yes—Brecon Beacons National Park is absolutely worth a day trip. It’s home to waterfalls, quiet trails, vast open views, and one of the UK’s most scenic beginner-friendly peaks: Pen y Fan (886m).
This is the kind of hike that doesn’t require much planning, but a little prep makes it a lot more enjoyable. Here’s everything we figured out before and during the trip.
📍 Route Choices: Which Trail to Take?
There are two main options to reach the top of Pen y Fan:
Storey Arms Route ⏱ Round-trip: 6.5km / ~3 hours 🥾 Classic path, gradual incline, well marked 🔁 Loop or out-and-back
Horseshoe Ridge Route ⏱ Full loop: 16km / ~6 hours ⛰️ For confident hikers—ridge walking, panoramic views, steeper and windier
🚗 Getting There
By Car: Around 1 hour from Cardiff or Swansea 🅿 Recommended parking:
Pont ar Daf Car Park
Storey Arms Outdoor Centre
Horseshoe Ridge Car Park
By Public Transport: Take the train to Merthyr Tydfil, then T4/T14 bus to Storey Arms ⏰ Check return times in advance—Sunday services may stop early
🧭 Trail Tips You’ll Be Glad You Read
Wear proper hiking shoes 🥾 — the summit is windy year-round
Bring your own water and food 🥪 — no shops along the route
Watch the weather ⚠️ — sudden wind and mist are common
Download your map offline 🗺️ — signal is unreliable
Don’t count on public toilets 🚻 — plan accordingly
Trash bag = respect ✅ — carry out what you carry in
🥪 What We Packed for a Half-Day Hike
We didn’t overthink it—just packed what was needed and nothing more:
1L water
Simple lunch
Lightweight raincoat
Tissues + sunscreen
Power bank
And that’s all.
💬 FAQ
Is Pen y Fan suitable for beginners? Yes—Storey Arms route is gentle and well-trodden. Just wear proper shoes.
Do I need hiking gear? No full gear needed, but a windproof jacket and some snacks will help.
What kind of backpack is best? Something light and weatherproof. We used a 20L expandable backpack—big enough to fit food, water, and a jacket, but small enough to keep the load light.