dai186
- Dec 17, 2017
- 2 min read

A snowy bimble in the Beacons for two Nuttalls. Fan Fraith 668m and Fan Gyhirych (Brecon Beacons).

Updated: Oct 3, 2020

16.12.2017 - Fan Fraith 668m and Fan Gyhirych 728m. Brecon Beacons. Fforest Fawr, Brecon Beacons.

NOTE: There is now access issues on this route around the Penwyllt Quarry area where you have to go across a field via a farm gate entrance and a side gate exit. A new tenant has locked these gates shut/used metal zip ties on them. He will also confront you if caught. There is also no way round this field due to the quarry and a dangerous bridge nearby so this route is sadly not a viable hike.

This was a quick outing to catch two outstanding Nuttalls in the Fforest Fawr area of the Beacons near Tafarn Y Garreg, Ystradgynlais. These being of Fan Fraith and Fan Gyhirych, both around the 700m mark. Not a long hike by any means but an easy start to the day with 4-5ks along an old tramway of a kind heading SW down the cwm Tawe valley in half decent dry weather. Then there is a bit of navigation to be done negotiating Penwyllt quarry, an old industrial site before heading out north on a wide forestry trail that brings you to a col between Fan Fraith and Gyhirych. It stayed dry all the way to the top of Fan Fraith, it really was still quite clear. However by the time I made the 1km over to Fan Gyhirych the weather was akin to a Scottish white out and I wished I had brought my ski goggles. A steep snow stepped decent soon saw me below the snowstorm and not long after the welcome sight of my little Mazda bongo beckoned the end of the day.

Parking and Access: Large lay-by at start location of route adjoining the A4067.

Route Summary: Fan Gyhirych 725m & Fan Fraith 668m. Old railway line flat stretch for 4-5ks with long steady uphill on wide track to coll between both summits. A very steep decent to finsih. A 13.5km hike in white out conditions at times. 480m of ascent in 3hrs 20mins.

GPX files: For gpx files go to the Peakbagger website by following this link and go to the bottom right hand of the page and click ‘Download this GPS track as a GPX file.’