Waun Rydd & Fan y Big loop from Torpantau — Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

Hiking trails & Routes

Waun Rydd & Fan y Big loop from Torpantau — Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

Moderate

4.7

(19)

hikers

Waun Rydd & Fan y Big loop from Torpantau — Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

04:34

15.4km

420m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 8, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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5.62 km

Waun Rydd

Highlight • Viewpoint

Waun Rydd is one of the quieter peaks (it's a Nuttall) in the Brecon Beacons. If anything it is one to collect on the way round to bag some of the main central peaks such as Cribyn, Pen Y Fan and Corn Du. There are wonderful views from here and once you get here most of the hard work is done.

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6.70 km

Bwlch y Ddwyallt

Highlight • Viewpoint

Bwlch y Ddwyallt is a nondescript peak marked by a small cairn. Don't confuse it with another larger cairn nearby. However the views from this escarpment looking across towards Fan Y Big, Cribyn, Pen Y Fan and Corn Du are superb. On a good day I have seen inversion clouds tumbling over this escarpment like a waterfall. It is a bit of a slog to get here but well worth your while.

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9.76 km

Fan y Bîg Summit and Diving Board

Highlight • Summit

The Diving Board on Fan y Big is one of the most photographed locations in the Brecon Beacons. The views over towards Cribyn and Pen Y Fan are super good, as are the views down towards the Gap. It is great to come up here on a winter weekday, when it is a bit quieter too. It is also a very popular spot for your sunrise and sunset shots. It is easier than it looks to get here, and it doesn't matter which way you come up; the effort is absolutely well worth it.

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10.4 km

The Gap Pass (Bwlch ar y Fan), Brecon Beacons National Park

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Be aware that the surface of this section is really rather tough terrain, and large sections are unrideable with anything short of a full suspension MTB. I attempted this on a decent gravel bike with large volume, off-road tyres, and had to walk about 50% of this stretch; the sections that I was able to ride were very difficult technically, and was very tough going.

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