Dog Walks: Brecon Beacons via Fan Y Big

Dog Walks: Brecon Beacons via Fan Y Big. WOW this is a fantastic route, one of the best we have done so far, having climbed to the summits you can really enjoy the most stunning panoramic views, however it does not end there, because as you follow the ridges on either side of the Mountains your amazing and stunning views just keep on going, this is such a fantastic walk.

Start/finish: Blaen Y Glyn Car Park

Directions: Blaen-Y-Glyn is part of Talybont. Talybont-On-Usk is the nearest town or village. Turn off the A40 following signs for Talybont-on-Usk between Brecon and Bwlch. Once in Talybont-on-Usk follow signs for Talybont Reservoir, passing through the village of Aber, continuing until Forestry Commission signs are seen, you will pass by a Forestry Comission Car Park on your right at the bottom of the incline, but you need to continue up the incline, and just before the road levels you will see a gravel track turning sharply off and back to the right, follow along this gravel track and you will see the Car Park surrounded by trees.

Parking: Blaen Y Glyn Car Park, free to park at the time of writing, but ensure you are there in good time as it got very busy, directions as above.

Nearest Public Conveniences: Talybont on Usk

Approximate Total Mileage: 7 Miles

Terrain: Stony Paths, Gravel Tracks, Grassy Tracks, some steady and steep ascents and descents, tarmac road, a number of steps also.

Description of suitability of and ability: sadly due to the nature of the terrain this route is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Please keep your dog under strict control as there is livestock on these mountains, and there are also some severe drops too!

*Click on the images below to enlarge* & there are many more pictures of views including Sarchie in Sarchies Gallery.

Dog Walks: Brecon Beacons via Fan Y Big Route:

Standing in the Blaen Y Glyn car park, leave the car park by the same exit as you entered in your car. Follow the gravel road until it joins the tarmac road, here you turn right and follow along the edge of the road.

Follow along the edge of the road, you will go along the level, and then drop down a hill, eventually you will come to a cattle grid, pass over the cattle grid or the gate next to it, and a few steps beyond the cattle grid turn right into a large gravel car park type area.

Ahead you will see the green metal Forest Gate with Cycle Route 8 on the left gate pillar, pass around the edge of this and follow the wide gravel track ahead. In a very short distance you will come to a fork in the tracks, the left track drops down to the left and is signed Cycle Network, however you stay on the level right hand track.

Continue on until you get to the next obvious fork next to the Wooden Taff Trail Marker Post, here the main wider gravel track forks right up the hill, however you need to take the left fork which takes you on a narrower level path, and through a pedestrian gate into a field.

Continue through this field, you are walking along the top side of the field running parallel to the fence-line, you will then come to another pedestrian gate, go straight through this, and continue ahead on the top side of the field running parallel to the fence-line, you will then come to another pedestrian gate, pass through this and keep following the path ahead, you then come to another pedestrian gate, pass through this and continue straight ahead on the path. The path soon comes to an end where it meets a hard road.

Here you literally walk straight ahead and take the stony track which forks right off the road, you pass directly between No Vehicle Signs on either side of the track. Continue up this stony rocky track, you will for the most part have the forestry area on your right and a post and wire fence on your left.

Eventually the track will bring you up to a wide metal gate, pass through the gate and follow the stony track down a very steep but short descent, over a stream and up the short but steep ascent on the other side. At the top of the short steep ascent you will see there is a track drops off down through the field to your left, do not turn off here, you continue on the track which sweeps slightly right, then you follow it on and up the steady but long incline, you are heading towards a big dip between the mountains in the distance. You can see the reservoir down on your left from here. The peak on your right is the one that you will climb.

You will eventually come to a metal gate across the track, pass through the gate here, follow the track a little further ahead, and just as the track levels and before it starts to drop down hill you will see the track to the right over a stile, take this path and cross over the stile.

Follow this path up the edge of the mountain Fan Y Big until you reach the summit, it is quite a steep climb, steps have been laid into the path to help you grip, just keep following the path as it winds its way up the side of the mountain. The views from the top are amazing.

When you reach the top turn right, follow the worn path along the ridge, you will pass by a small circular collection of stones, follow the track through heaps of stones, do not take any of the smaller sheep trails on this stretch, but continue ahead on to the next peak on the wider and more worn track. Continue up to the next peak.

Once there you will pass wooden fence post on your right, continue to walk along the ridge following the path for a short distance until you come to the rock on your left as shown in the photo and almost straight after and off to your right is a not so obvious path, take this path and follow over the level spine of the mountain.

You will pass by some very raised peat mounds on your left, and be able to see Talybont Reservoir over to the right in the distance, there are some soft areas in places across this stretch so tread carefully. You will pass a couple of ‘Upstanding’ marker stones that have been put there as path guides, you will pass over a flat rocky area, keep picking your way ahead on the path until it comes eventually to an obvious area called the ‘Pile of Stones’, here you turn sharp left, and follow the grassy path.

The grassy path drops down to the left of the ‘Pile of Stones’, work your way over the stones on the next little rise sticking to the grassy track as best as possible, you are almost walking in a sweeping left hand arc on the mountain top, and ahead you can see odd looking raised peat areas on the mountain ahead of you. The track eventually comes to flat rock based stream, like a small ford area, here you do not cross the stream but take the path immediately off to your right.

This path you are on now is a much more defined gravel path, you are walking along the edge of the mountain now with lovely views down into the valley on your left side. Keep following this path which does descend very steadily, eventually your track will swing inland slightly and away from the ridge. Soon the path becomes a very steep descent, there are a number of stones laid here into the path to help with grip so take care passing down here as it is quite steep.

Continue on down this path and soon you will get to the corner of a wood on your left, and a gulley with a stream flowing through it on your right, here there has been restoration work taking place on the path, so continue on this path, immediately on your left is a wood, and on your right is the stream with the occasional waterfall.

Continue to descend down the path here taking care with your footing, and finally you will emerge on to the track immediately next to the Blaen Y Glyn Car Park where your car is parked.