Pen-y-Crug hill fort from Brecon

Brecon Beacons Walk

Walk Route Description

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This short Brecon Beacons walk starts on the banks of the River Usk and visits the hill fort of Pen-y-crug which lies to the west of this attractive market town. There are several car parks in the centre but the long-stay car parks by the Watergate Bridge (grid ref. SO042286) and on the promenade (grid ref. SO038289) are the most convenient for this walk. After parking walk to the cathedral and follow Pendre, the B4520 north towards the edge of the built-up area.

Approximately 600 metres along the B4520 from the Cathedral (grid ref. SO042295), turn left onto a surfaced lane heading roughly northwest. Reaching a junction after 600 metres (grid ref. SO038301) turns left along what is a now a narrower track past Crug Vila and into open access country surrounding Pen-y-crug fort. An obvious path leads through the earthworks to reach the OS trig point from where there are excellent views especially south to the Usk Valley.

To return to Brecon, leave the trig point on a clear path heading south-west. This reaches the boundary of the Open Access Land (grid ref. SO032301) from where a signed footpath crosses several fields to reach the Maen-du Well (grid ref. SO039296). From here the path continues to reach a road and a small parking area with an adjacent mini roundabout (grid ref. SO039296). Go straight across the mini roundabout and follow the tarmac path passing in front of two terraces of houses on your left. Reach a path junction at the end of the second terrace, bear right and continue between houses a short way to reach Bron-y-crug road.

Turn left and follow the road as it bends to the right and becomes Dannycrug road. Reaching a T-junction, turn left and almost immediately right into Peppercorn Lane. Follow this to reach the B4520 used on the outward route. Turn right and follow the road to the Cathedral.

This walk can easily be combined with Walk 3564 to make a figure of eight route exploring the countryside to the east of Brecon with a walk along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal takin g you back to the centre of Brecon.

Originally conceived by Martyn Hanks, this walk was designed for Youth Hostellers staying at the Ty'n-y-Caeau Youth Hostel near Brecon. The route followed a figure of eight and for the convenience of all walkers the route has been split in two with each loop being a separate walk based from the centre of Brecon. The routes were drawn in a 'Wainwright' style and provided annotated maps offering additional information for walkers. Prepared before the days of GPS they were an invaluable resource and Walking Britain is happy to ensure that these walks remain in the public domain.

 

Walk GradingMore Brecon Beacons Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 3564	Groesfford and M & B Canal from Brecon	easy/mod	6.2 miles
Walk 3236	Pen-y-crug, Sarnau and Battle from Brecon	moderate	10.0 miles
Walk 3209	Llanfrynach and Pencelli circular	easy/mod	5.6 miles
Walk 2400	Pen y Fan from Cwmgwdi near Brecon	moderate	5.0 miles
Walk 1903	Pen y Fan & Corn Du from Cwmgwdi	moderate	7.5 miles