Walk 3546 - printer friendly version

Pen y Bryn from Pencelli Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km

Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SO091250
Lat 51.9160820 + Long -3.3230239
Postcode LD3 7LX (approx. location only)

This short but energetic Brecon Beacons walk starts from the village of Pencelli which lies a few miles south-east of Brecon on the B4558. The objective is the summit of Pen y Bryn (562 metres) which offers extensive views over the Usk Valley and the Black Mountains. There is a small car park at the west end of the village (grid ref. SO091250) which is perfectly placed for this walk.

After parking exit the car park and turn right (west). Ignore the lane on the left at the first junction and continue for a further 150 metres and take the next lane on the left. This lane climbs steadily beaning gently to the right and then left again. Beyond this point (some 1.4 km from the start of the lane) you reach a fingerpost on the left-hand side of the lane (grid ref. SO080244). Note this is the second fingerpost along the lane. Turn right off the lane and follow the path between trees through the left-hand metal gate. After 600 metres the path reached open country.

Ahead to the south, lies the objective of this walk, Pen y Bryn. There are a number of paths once open country is reached. Provided you are heading just west of south and climbing, then you are heading in the right direction. The ground starts to steepen above 500 metres and soon you have reached the summit area with two individual tops with a cairn on the lower of the two (grid ref. SO072227).

On a fine day the summit is a fine place to enjoy the views especially to the north across the Usk Valley to the high peaks of the Black Mountains. All that remains is to retrace your steps downhill to the lane and back to the start.

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.