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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Wales => Topic started by: MockDuncan on 18:53:34, 28/02/19

Title: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: MockDuncan on 18:53:34, 28/02/19
First, let me apologise for this post as I know the answer is likely already here somewhere. I'm just looking for a quick response so I know whether I should continue to investigate walking in the BB, as I never have and it looks stunning.


I used to do the mountains in the Lakes, I have reasonable gear, but these days less reasonable knees. We currently confine our walking to the Cotswolds, N Devon (e.g. Lyn River, coastal path, etc) Surrey Hills and South Peaks.


Will BB be too much for us? Looking for circularly walks, 7-10 miles with good views. Pub in the middle a plus. Are these to be found for people like us or is BB more like the Lakes high fellls?


Many thanks in advance


Duncan
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: phil1960 on 19:47:18, 28/02/19
The Beacons do have some steep ascents and descents, much like most mountainous areas in the UK, but don’t let that hold you back, nothing is that bad and there’s no real scrambly bits like Snowdonia. It’s my back yard so pm me if you need any info  O0
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: astaman on 23:15:01, 28/02/19
I agree with phil1960 have a go and don't try too hard to find reasons not to do it. There are steep ascents and descents. On the other hand if you choose your starting point carefully (eg Storey Arms, Aber Village on the road up to Talybont Reservoir, Upper Neuadd) you don't have a long walk in to the hill adding lots of miles. A pub in the middle would be a bit harder to arrange I'm afraid. If you're going for a few days and find the higher hills hard going there are plenty of low level walks around the Usk and the surrounding nature reserves so you could cut your losses and have a good time exploring them.
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: clyoung on 23:27:42, 28/02/19
Will BB be too much for us? Looking for circularly walks, 7-10 miles with good views. Pub in the middle a plus. Are these to be found for people like us or is BB more like the Lakes high fellls?


I do most of my hill walking in the Brecon Beacons as they're the easiest mountains for us to get to. There are a huge range of walks, from easy strolls round reservoirs or along the canal to steep walks taking in multiple peaks so I'm sure you'll find something suitable. There's nothing as high as in the Lake District and there's no real scrambling.


Finding routes with pubs in the middle is tricky but I've done a couple:


Bryn Arw and Sugar Loaf, stopping off for lunch at The Crown in Pantygelli - http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MzkxMjIwMw== (http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MzkxMjIwMw==)
Hatterrall Hill and Llanthony Priory (bar in the undercroft of the priory) - http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MzE4MzAyNQ== (http://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MzE4MzAyNQ==)


One warning about the latter, on the way back it goes through a farm yard with some ferocious dogs. If I were doing it again I would cross over the river to get to the road and walk a short way along that before taking a different path back to Cwmyoy.


Also this one has a pub at the end:


Tor y Foel - https://my.viewranger.com/track/details/NzY2MDA0OA== (https://my.viewranger.com/track/details/NzY2MDA0OA==)


If you wanted to make it longer and have a pub in the middle when you come off Tor y Foel you could head up to Talybont-on-Usk where there are a number of pubs and then walk back from there.


You can see all my walks in the Brecon Beacons National Park here:


http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/search/label/Brecon%20Beacons%20National%20Park (http://claire-walking-blog.blogspot.com/search/label/Brecon%20Beacons%20National%20Park)


Often I/we eat at a pub on our way home and I usually mention that in my post.
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: phil1960 on 14:38:50, 01/03/19
Thinking about it Duncan and looking at the type of walking you mention recently, you may well enjoy waterfall country rather than the high hills. I know the Beacons area intimately, not just the main peaks including many “secret” little paths you won’t find in a guidebook, it comes with being local. I’m not a fan myself of lunchtime pub stops, but the Angel in Pontneddfechan is a favourite of ours as is the Old White Horse just around the corner. You could either start a walk here or use it as a mid point for lunch. The area contains a high number of stunning waterfalls in a relatively small area on several rivers with generally “knee friendly” paths. If this appeals to you send me a PM and I’ll be happy to help.
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: GnP on 14:42:09, 01/03/19

One warning about the latter, on the way back it goes through a farm yard with some ferocious dogs. If I were doing it again I would cross over the river to get to the road and walk a short way along that before taking a different path back to Cwmyoy.

That looks like an interesting walk. Is there any good parking at Cwmyoy.?
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: phil1960 on 14:44:58, 01/03/19
Here’s a little sample, it’s just one of many
(https://i.postimg.cc/tCTgJB2D/46-DB9262-E82-B-461-C-AA5-E-5-AFBF1-E49-EFB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jCpTk4VJ)
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: phil1960 on 14:52:54, 01/03/19
GinAndPlatonic - They can be a bit territorial in Cwmyoy as it’s very small, but see flag on the pic you can park there and it’s a short walk in, fantastic crooked church there too
(https://i.postimg.cc/NFT7hQSC/EAF8-C25-A-0-A09-421-B-AF1-D-F2072-CB5-C34-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/308DmQK2)
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: GnP on 15:01:07, 01/03/19
GinAndPlatonic - They can be a bit territorial in Cwmyoy as it’s very small, but see flag on the pic you can park there and it’s a short walk in, fantastic crooked church there too

Thanks !..creating a new route now :)
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: clyoung on 15:33:01, 01/03/19
I’m not a fan myself of lunchtime pub stops
After my experience of trying to walk up Sugar Loaf after a great lunch at The Crown I'm inclined to agree - felt much, much heavier  ;D
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: clyoung on 15:34:08, 01/03/19
That looks like an interesting walk. Is there any good parking at Cwmyoy.?


We parked by the side of the road behind the crooked church (worth a look while you're there).
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: sussamb on 15:45:57, 01/03/19
After my experience of trying to walk up Sugar Loaf after a great lunch at The Crown I'm inclined to agree - felt much, much heavier  ;D


But lighter coming down  ;D
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: sussamb on 15:47:23, 01/03/19
Thinking about it Duncan and looking at the type of walking you mention recently, you may well enjoy waterfall country rather than the high hills. I know the Beacons area intimately, not just the main peaks including many “secret” little paths you won’t find in a guidebook, it comes with being local. I’m not a fan myself of lunchtime pub stops, but the Angel in Pontneddfechan is a favourite of ours as is the Old White Horse just around the corner. You could either start a walk here or use it as a mid point for lunch. The area contains a high number of stunning waterfalls in a relatively small area on several rivers with generally “knee friendly” paths. If this appeals to you send me a PM and I’ll be happy to help.


Yep, good pubs and good walks from there if you prefer less steep paths  O0
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: sussamb on 15:49:29, 01/03/19
Here’s a little sample, it’s just one of many
(https://i.postimg.cc/tCTgJB2D/46-DB9262-E82-B-461-C-AA5-E-5-AFBF1-E49-EFB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jCpTk4VJ)


Great walk that one, we did it a while back as a forum walk  O0
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: GnP on 16:14:51, 01/03/19

We parked by the side of the road behind the crooked church (worth a look while you're there).
O0
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: phil1960 on 16:32:37, 01/03/19
Jon if you look at waypoint 3, see “mine” marked nearby, there’s a path leading away from the main path down to the Sychryd. Here there are old silica mines to explore and even more waterfalls. You can follow the right hand path back to Craig y Ddinas, but an old miners bridge was removed years ago so it’s a proper dodgy scramble at the end lol
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: astaman on 18:36:52, 01/03/19
Thinking about it Duncan and looking at the type of walking you mention recently, you may well enjoy waterfall country rather than the high hills. I know the Beacons area intimately, not just the main peaks including many “secret” little paths you won’t find in a guidebook, it comes with being local. I’m not a fan myself of lunchtime pub stops, but the Angel in Pontneddfechan is a favourite of ours as is the Old White Horse just around the corner. You could either start a walk here or use it as a mid point for lunch. The area contains a high number of stunning waterfalls in a relatively small area on several rivers with generally “knee friendly” paths. If this appeals to you send me a PM and I’ll be happy to help.


On reflection I'd give this my vote too. I grew up near here and spent a happy childhood and youth camping around the waterfalls. I haven't been back for a few years so I'd  be happy to hear that the White Horse in Pontneddfechan is alive and well. Last time I was there I it seemed to be on its last legs. I recall they used to have a sort of bunkroom in the back. I stayed there on cycle tour once, it was basic but adequate. I think it was frequented by cavers.
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: sussamb on 18:54:53, 01/03/19
Jon if you look at waypoint 3, see “mine” marked nearby, there’s a path leading away from the main path down to the Sychryd. Here there are old silica mines to explore and even more waterfalls. You can follow the right hand path back to Craig y Ddinas, but an old miners bridge was removed years ago so it’s a proper dodgy scramble at the end lol


 O0
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: phil1960 on 20:34:06, 01/03/19
Astaman - Yes the White Horse is really popular and not as fussy as the Angel, dog friendly too which is good for us with a two year old collie.
Title: Re: Newbie - how hard is walking in the Brecon Beacons?
Post by: MockDuncan on 11:43:15, 02/03/19
Definitely going ahead thanks to the replies here. Really, really appreciated and I'll continue with my research now I know we can cope with the walks. Special thanks for the offer of more info and I might take you up on it.
Thanks again
Duncan