Walk 1283 - printer friendly version

Fan y Big from Torpantau Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.5 miles / 13.8 km

Ascent - 1850 feet / 561 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SO056176
Lat 51.848986 + Long -3.3718689
Postcode CF48 2UT (approx. location only)

The Brecon Beacons provide miles of excellent walking. Despite appearances, the weather can soon change making the moors and escarpments difficult to navigate. This route starts with a steep climb but the way ahead soon levels off with excellent views for most of the route.

There is a small car park (Grid ref. SO056176) at Torpantau which can be reached from Merthyr Tydfil to the south and Talybont-on-Usk from the east. From the car park take the path that climbs alongside the waterfalls. The way ahead is clear and the path climbs steeply onto the moors to follow the Craig y Fan Ddu escarpment north. The views are already good especially to the east and south.

Stay on the clear path with a drop into the valley on your right. The path meanders along the escarpment gaining height almost imperceptibly as you continue along the top of Graig Fan Las to reach the northern edge of the main east-west escarpment of the Brecon Beacons (Grid ref. SO 057206). Turn left along the edge path with a grand view north to Brecon and beyond on your right.

The route is now almost level and ahead you can see Fan y Big with other peaks of the Brecon Beacons beyond. Fan y Big's summit is a pleasant place to rest a while before beginning the walk back to the start.

From the summit continue westwards descending steeply to Bwlch ar y Fan (Grid ref. SO 032206) where you turn south (left) along the 'Bwlch Road'. This track allows good progress with the Neuadd Reservoirs to your right. Looking back there is a good retrospective view to the Beacons. Where the track turns sharp right (Grid ref. SO 034182)continue ahead on a path, which skirts a plantation to reach a tarmac lane.

Do not follow the road instead fork left along the Taff Trail, which continues through the Taf Fechan Forest. After approximately one mile you reach another road. Turn left and follow this uphill back to the start.

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