18.1.2020 - Waun Lefrith 677m, Picws Du 749m and Fan Brycheiniog Twr Y Fan Foel 802m.
This is a favourite hike of mine and it is one of the best walks in the Brecon Beacons. It takes in two lakes (Llyn Y Fan Fawr and Llyn Y Fan Fach), has a great ridge walk and takes in three Nuttalls (Waun Lefrith, Picws Du and Fan Brycheiniog Twr Y Fan Foel). There is ample car parking at the start but it does fill up on the weekend. Today was a spectacular winter day out. It is a stunning hike no matter what day it is but today the conditions were just perfect.
The hike starts about 3kms east of Llandeusant in the Black Mountain area of the Brecon Beacons. There is an ample car park near Blainau farm at the end of a dirt track. The car park is plenty big enough but can get busy on weekends especially on fine days.
There are numerous hikes to be had in the area. This one though is about the best and it is a straight forward enough walk. From the car park simply head south and uphill on the obvious track. This goes past the fisheries after about a km (by-passed on the left) and within half an hour you will be at the bothy in the glorious amphitheatre of Llyn Y Fan Fach. There are no facilities in the bothy, it is simply a one roomed stone building but people do sleep over in it.
The path then takes you steeply uphill to the right (W) and loops you around to the small cairn at Waun Lefrith and you simply handrail the cliff around to the east and gently up towards Picws Du. The views are stunning all the way. After Picws you will go steeply downhill and then up the other side to Fan Foel. The pass between both hills where you will come across a stream is a great area for a lunch spot (Bwlch Maen Twrch). After Fan Foel you keep on contouring but now your heading SE towards Fan Brycheiniog. The trig point and copious circular stone shelter of the summit soon comes to you and shortly after you drop down towards Bwlch Giedd where you head off steeply downhill to Llyn Y Fan Fawr. If you continue past Bwlch Giedd you can also knock off Fan Hir if you have the energy.
From here you follow a pretty obvious trail that loops around the northern side of the lake and continue on this trail in the shadow of the huge ridge on the left which you have just walked along. The views are still awesome as you head east and the trail becomes much more distinct after passing Fan Foel. You have quite a few glorious kilometres to go before you get back to Llyn Y Fan Fach where you will get to the bothy and retrace your steps down to the car park. If you do this hike on a stunning summer or winter day you are in for a great treat!
Parking and Access: Ample car parking at the start point at the end of a rough track. A popular walk so it will get busy on the weekends especially in good weather.
Route Summary: Access track, high paths and well maintained trails. Stunning impressive ridge line with great views all around. Two marvellous lakes and three Nuttalls.
Route Statistics: 15.3km and 742m of height gain in 4hrs 27min.
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.’
Ascent Entry on Peakbagger: Llyn Y Fan Fach and Fawr
Route overview using ViewRanger.
Car park at the start point.
A sample of views on the way round.
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