A Complete Guide to the Pen y Fan Walk from the Storey Arms
The Pen y Fan walk (pronounced pen-er-van) involves hiking the highest mountain in Southern Britain – 886m above sea level. The mountain is found in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales in the middle of the Beacons Way (a famous long-distance footpath). Hiking Pen y Fan has become an increasingly popular walking route, with lots of keen walkers, beginners and people walking the path for charity all climbing to the summit. It is actually known as the Summit of the Beacons and is one of the Welsh 3 Peaks.
Over 350,000 people attempt to conquer the Pen y Fan walk every year. Who can blame them with magnificent and extensive views over the Gower, the Bristol Channel and the South Wales valleys – to name only a few! This route also incorporates Corn Du – which is the second-highest mountain in Southern Britain at 873m. Therefore, you are tackling two mountains on this Pen y Fan walk.
Many have described this walk as easy, and although it is not quite like climbing Ben Nevis, it is a very steep walk that you should approach with caution. Our legs were sore the next day, and we consider ourselves as reasonably fit people! Pen Y Fan means Top of the Summit or Top One, and on the top by the National Trust sign, you will see a Bronze Age burial chamber. You will also see Old Red Sandstone rocks which were formed 350 million years ago. How amazing?
Sometimes referred to as ‘the motorway’, it is good to know that parts of this route can be bustling. However, if you set off early or avoid weekends, then you can still have at least sections of this walk to yourself. Although the way we outline is one of the more popular ones, we also suggest some alternatives to avoid the crowds. There is a Pen y Fan walk for everyone! The route we suggest is the Pen y Fan walk from the Storey Arms, up Corn Du (which means Black Staff) over to Pen y Fan and then back down towards the Pont ar Daf Car Park.
Pen y Fan Walk Details
Pen y Fan Distance: 8.9km/ 5.5 miles
Pen y Fan Walk Time: 2.5-3.5 hours ( depending on speed, mobility and stops for resting, food and pictures).
Pen y Fan Height: 886m above sea level (2907 feet)
Pen y Fan Elevation Gain: 586m
Walk Type: circular walk
Terrain: primarily well-made footpaths that the National Trust maintains
Pen y Fan Weather Forecast: Click here for the Met Weather Forecast to help you plan when to climb the mountain.
How to Get to Pen y Fan
The most popular way to arrive at Pen y Fan is by car on the A470. However, it is accessible by bus too, with the TrawsCymru Service which travels between Cardiff, Merthyr, Brecon and Mid Wales. You can get off the bus stop: Safle Bysiau.
Pen y Fan Car Park
The Pen Y Fan parking situation is currently free (this could change soon) and mostly in laybys and on the grass verges of the road leading to the official car park.
The more official car park is Pont ar Daf Car Park, but this is very popular. Therefore, we recommend using the car park opposite the Storey Arms Centre or the layby just after this (this one usually has a lot more space but will add 800m onto the walk).
Pen Y Fan Walk Postcode: LD3 8NL
This postcode will take you to the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre Parking. If this is full, continue to the next layby and begin your walk by turning right to start from here. You can find the Google Map Directions here.
Pen y Fan Facilities
The only toilets are at the Pont ar Daf car park. Unfortunately, there are none on the trail.
There are several burger vans that sell water and hot and cold food in the laybys and the Pont ar Daf car park.
When is the best time to climb Pen y Fan?
As previously mentioned, this is a busy route. Therefore, if you want to do this particular walking route, then go early. Indeed, Pen y Fan is a popular sunrise or sunset walk too, with many people setting off in the early hours to see a sunrise. If you plan to do this, make sure you bring the correct equipment including a torch.
The walk is a year-round walk but makes sure you are ready, and if you are a novice hiker, it might be a good idea to walk in the summer, warmer months. We love Pen y Fan when the heather is in bloom from late August to early September. Whatever the time of year – be prepared and you will be safe!
Pen y Fan Walk Top Tips.
- Wear suitable shoes for this walk. We recommend walking boots, but if you do not have any, trainers with a good grip should be ok in the drier months!
- You might be wondering what to wear walking up Pen y Fan? We recommend bringing a raincoat – it is Wales, and the heavens could open, and it might be windy too! You should also wear layers because the weather on top will not be the same as the weather at the bottom. You will feel the cold on the summit, even in the summer months. It can be a dangerous spot, and the weather can change suddenly.
- Take snacks, food and water with you and if it is a hot day, wear a hat and sunscreen!
- The Pen y Fan walk is dog friendly – we saw many dogs on the trail – remember to clean up after them though.
- The OS Map is OL12 Explorer Brecon Beacons National Park Western and Central Areas
- If the weather is on your side, we think this is a route that you can do with children. We did see a lot of children complaining, though!
- Many National Trust signs ask you to stick to the paths; please remember to help prevent erosion.
- Take all litter home – enjoy the outdoors – but leave no trace.
Pen Y Fan from the Storey Arms Walk – Easy to follow directions in 9 steps (via Corn Du)
1. From the car park, turn right in the direction of the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre and walk about 400m. There is also car parking opposite the Storey Arms, but this will get full quickly. If you are lucky enough to park here, you can walk across the road to the beginning of the Pen y Fan walk.
2. Just before you reach the outdoor centre, you will see an information board to its right with instructions on the walk. There is a sign for Pen y Fan here that directs you uphill. Go through the wooden gate and begin the incline up the stony path.
As you go up, you will be able to see Beacons Reservoir on your right-hand side and beautiful views behind you!
3. Continue for roughly 1km and then go through the wooden gate and follow the path as it descends to go up again. The route is obvious, so if visibility is good, you will be able to see how it snakes up the mountain in front of you.
4. At the bottom, there will be a small stream to cross. There are some stepping stones to help you get across without getting wet. From here, the stony path becomes steep! Remember to take breaks when you need them and to take in the beautiful surroundings.
5. After 1.2km of gradual increase, it will begin to get steeper as you approach Corn Du’s summit. Make sure to stop and take care but peer over the edge to see Llyn Cwm Llwch (a small lake/pool) to your right below. It is one of the natural pools in the Beacons, and it is glacial. You will have a climb left of about 350m! Then have a rest, some water and relax. Corn Du is the second-highest point in the Brecon Beacons, after all. You will see a Bronze Age cairn here too – this is where 4500 years ago the dead were buried.
6. From Corn Du, continue straight to follow the path towards the Pen y Fan summit as you are not quite there yet. The track will go down before it goes up again. Finally, after roughly 900m, you will reach the National Trust’s Pen y Fan sign! 886m congratulations!!
7. From the summit, head back the way you came but instead of going back up, take the left-hand path that curves around the mountain before you start the descent. Do not follow the ridge in front but instead, take the obvious way back down. You will be able to see the A470 road in front of you.
8. After 1.2km down, you will reach a small river. There is a wooden bridge to cross or stepping-stones if you feel adventurous. Turn right towards the Outdoor Centre (the white building from the start of the hill walk). There are toilets and refreshments here if you need to use them or buy a drink or food.
9. Walk on the gravel road below the trees parallel to the A470 until you reach the wooden gate next to the Storey Arms. If you parked here, then you’re finished and if not, walk along for a further 400m back the car.
Pen Y Fan walk completed! Congratulations, you have walked up the highest mountain in Southern Britain (and the second highest too). We hope you had fun.
Other Pen y Fan Routes to consider:
There are other famous Pen y Fan walks that you can do if you would like to extend your walk or if you want to avoid the crowds. These are:
Pen y Fan Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge Walk: 9-mile circuit (the most challenging route)
The Cwm Llwch Walk from Cwm Gwdi: 7.5 miles
The Beacons Circuit: 11 miles
The Motorway: 4 miles (the most straightforward route)
Are you interested in the Brecon Beacons or different walks? You can consider the following:
If not, drop us a comment below if you have any questions or to let us know how you found the walk. Happy hiking everyone!
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