Craig Cerrig Gleisiad, Fan Frynich, Fan Llia & Fan Fawr (4xNuttalls, Fforest Fawr, Brecon Beacons)

1.10.2020 - Fan Fawr Loop with Big Al!

This is a great little hike in the Brecon Beacons that takes in the four Nuttalls of Craig Cerrig Gleisiad 629m, Fan Frynych 629m, Fan Llia 632m and Fan Fawr 734m. They are local peaks that I have done many times but I thought I would record this route as it takes in four Nuttalls of the Forest Fawr area of the BBNP in one quite easy loop.

The start point and parking is at Storey Arms lay-by (opposite the famed red telephone kiosk) where parking is more than adequate but hit or miss depending on the time of the week and weather. Weekends are always busy there, especially in good weather.

There is an obvious gate leading onto the hills at the lay-by, head through this and there is a distinct path that leads gradually uphill NW towards Craig Cerrig Gleisiad. The path is well trodden and a good warm up with great views leading down the valley towards Brecon. You should be at the cairned top of Cerrig Gleisiad within 45 minutes. Going onwards here you drop down and go over a fence and up the other side with imposing cliffs on your right. You will pass two small lakes on your left and just past the second one follow a path that veers off left. A few minutes later you will be at the trig pointed summit of Fan Frynych. Two Nuttalls attained within an hour.

Return the way you came and cross over the fence again and turn right. Now you will follow the sometimes indistinct path of the Beacons Way here over to Fan Dringarth and onwards to the stone marked summit (just a few stones on the floor) of Fan Llia. This is around a 4km leg and very gentle so just enjoy the all encompassing views of the BBNP.

At Fan Llia you then head steeply downhill over pathless terrain towards the dam head of Ystradfellte Reservoir. This is a bit tufty and wet but will cause no undue problem. Once at the dam you have to cross the small stream there and then there is an obvious porta cabin/office just up the road to your right so head for this over a few fences/gates.

Once here you head East steeply uphill following a fence at first but you soon come into open country. This again is pretty much pathless and just following sheep trails mainly. The going is pretty steep but after a couple of kilometres it gets much easier and you pick up a bit of a path. After about an hour you reach the TP that marks the summit of Fan Fawr. From the TP head NE over the broad summit of Fan Fawr to spot height 734 and from here head steeply downhill for the last kilometre or so to the finish. A great day out!

Parking: There are at least three large parking areas at Storey Arms or nearby (within a few hundred meters). However this is a very busy area, one of the busiest in Wales. Weekends are very busy and even weekdays on good weather days/summer months. Any parking is free but please do not double park on the grass verges.

Route Summary: Good well trodden trails for about half the route, the rest quite indistinct and over open country but not too rough to handle. This route is a very boggy in winter months/after prolonged rain. There are stunning views of the rolling central beacons at all points. Enjoy it!

Route Statistics: 17km with 775m of heigh gain done in 5hrs 35 minutes.

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