Brecon Beacons

[PeteS]

For proper wild, and the best bit of the black Mountains, you are looking west of the A4067. There are a few laybys to overnight if you can live with that.

I can but Mrs S (and the dog) like a little more comfort!

Just booked the campsite at Talybont on Usk (thanks Dave!) and we'll check out some other places while we're down there.

Anybody got any recommended running routes around that area? We have 4 days to fill and don't want to spend too much of it driving.

[molehill]

Get a map and go, you don't need a route, make it up and explore. Have a good one.

[PeteS]

Get a map and go, you don't need a route, make it up and explore. Have a good one.

got the Harvey's in front of me now.....

[Wheeze]

The Brecon Beacons race route will keep you out of mischief for best part of a day.

[Dave_Mole]

just got back from Talybont myself: great site, huge pitches. Bit of a walk to the shower block.

As for routes, try going left along the canal from the village, then almost immediately on to the Taff Trail, which will take you to Danywenalt, then head along the upper track all along the top of Talybont Res, over Bryniau Glesion and dropping down at Dolygaer to cross the south end of Pentwyn Res. If you then follow the bridleway on the other side of the road for a short bit it gets you through the forestry and onto the moor above Taf Fechan, over Craig Fan Ddu and up onto Corn Du, Pen y Fan and Cribyn. Descend via the Fan y Big horseshoe to Waun Rhydd and down off Twyn Du to the N end of Talybont res, cross the dam and get back on the Taff Trail back to Talybont.

That'd be a long but cracking day and you'd do all of the major tops!

[PeteS]

just got back from Talybont myself: great site, huge pitches. Bit of a walk to the shower block.

As for routes, try going left along the canal from the village, then almost immediately on to the Taff Trail, which will take you to Danywenalt, then head along the upper track all along the top of Talybont Res, over Bryniau Glesion and dropping down at Dolygaer to cross the south end of Pentwyn Res. If you then follow the bridleway on the other side of the road for a short bit it gets you through the forestry and onto the moor above Taf Fechan, over Craig Fan Ddu and up onto Corn Du, Pen y Fan and Cribyn. Descend via the Fan y Big horseshoe to Waun Rhydd and down off Twyn Du to the N end of Talybont res, cross the dam and get back on the Taff Trail back to Talybont.

That'd be a long but cracking day and you'd do all of the major tops!

Thanks for the info - just had a look at that on the map and it seems like a great, if long, day out.

[Dave_Mole]

you could shorten it (and miss out the highest peaks) by cutting down east off the ridge below Graig Fan Ddu to cross to the south of Neuadd res, then head up the side of Tor Glas to Fan y Big....You could then "do" Pen y Fan etc by the more traditional routes from Storey Arms or from the north on another day....

[Wheeze]

Of course, if you have a willing partner with van, you could always do the legendary Trans Fan route by being bussed to the start, but finish at Talybont rather than Cwm llwch. That'll sort you out!!!

[molehill]

Of course, if you have a willing partner with van, you could always do the legendary Trans Fan route by being bussed to the start, but finish at Talybont rather than Cwm llwch. That'll sort you out!!!

Wheeze, that's just plain sadistic! Show some compassion for the poor bloke, he'll never come to Wales again.

[philbrynmaen]

Excellent shorter run is east along canal from Talybont on Usk to bridge 138 (Parsons Bridge). Then follow footpath cutting up and left to minor road. Then direct up ridge to top of Tor y Foel. A gentler line of ascent from the monor road is the bridleway that skirts the hill through a farm (forget the name) to another minor road. Easy from here to top of Tor y Foel. Return to village via Brynore trail.
If you've a head torch and don't mind wet feet a run through the Torpantau disused railway tunnel is different. The Talybont Reservoir horseshoe is a longer but brilliant circuit.
Not far away the Llangattock Escaprpment is stunning. The Sugarloaf is an easy outing. Then there's Skirrid and Blorenge. All top notch. A canal run is the perfect warm down. Enjoy!