There are four mountain ranges within the brecon beacons national park the black mountain to the west, fforest fawr, the brecon beacons and the black mountains to the east. But this mountainous expanse of wild land can be treacherous, and the wrecks of many unfortunate aircraft still litter its slopes. Our national park is loved for its big green open spaces which offer miles and miles of wonderful walking. The brecon beacons national park was established in 1957, the third of the three welsh parks after snowdonia in 1951 and the pembrokeshire coast in 1952. This article describes the geology of the brecon beacons national park in midsouth wales. Volunteering with the national trust can be extremely rewarding for you, but also hugely important to us.
The brecon beacons national park is a protected environment with some of. Unfortunately some of the grid references and the map codes given at the start of each walk are incorrect. Home to a mix of mountains and moorland, standing stones, castles, waterfalls and wildlife, the brecon beacons national park extends for 42 miles from east to west, and is divided into three distinct areas. The wardens and other staff members enjoyed a day out around hay on wye this week looking at work completed in 2019 and work to do in 2020.
The brecon beacons national park is a seminatural, cultural landscape, moulded by nature but influenced by mankinds management of the land over thousands of years. If you enjoy making the most of the great outdoors, youll love the brecon beacons. Wales biodiversity partnership brecon beacons national park. The brecon beacons national park was established in 1957, the third and final welsh national park and has a wide range of walks to suit all abilities. Construction began in 1795 and the final section was completed in 1812. It was the tenth area in wales and england to be given such status. Green thinking in the brecon beacons national park. The brecon beacons national park is a protected environment with some of the most spectacular upland scenery in britain. You can see maps of the starting points mentioned here. Classic horseshoe walk up pen y fan and the brecon beacons from cwm taf fechan. Aircraft crash sites in the brecon beacons national park. Map of brecon beacons national park western area os. Map of brecon beacons national park hotels and attractions.
The brecon beacons national park has the lowest profile of waless three national parks, but it is nonetheless the destination of thousands of walkers. The trail starts at the gwaun hepste car park just south east of ystradfellte. Popular attractions in the brecon beacons brecon beacons. Brecon beacons horseshoe walk from cwm taf fechan brecon. We have two maps that print out to fit a4 paper, click on the small images below to see the big maps that you can print. The brecon beacons national park wales travel guide rough.
Starting at the brecon beacons national park visitor centre near libanus, this circular 8km 5 mile loop is an easy tour over open ground, ideal for beginners and young families. The biodiversity that exists in the brecon beacons today is the result of these intertwined processes. The area gained national park status in 1957 with the designated area of 1,344 km 2 519 sq mi including mountain massifs to both the east and west of the brecon beacons proper. The broad brecon beacons national park has a long history as a military training ground. The walk starts from hay castle which was originally constructed in the 11th century.
Best historic site trails in brecon beacons national park. The walks reach all the major summits in the brecon beacons national park. Brecon beacons national park western area map of brecon beacons national park western area western area ol12 explorer 1. Walking on the brecon beacons describes 45 day walks in the brecon beacons national park, south wales. The beacons way is the brecon beacons national park official trail. Within an area of 47 km, the park contains some of the most spectacular and distinctive upland formations in southern britain. Brecon beacons national park brecon beacons national park visit wales brecon beacons tourism pen y fan danyrogof national showcaves centre for wales penderyn single malt welsh whisky brecon beacons on tripadvisor green man festival if you have a brecon beacons national park based website that you would like on this page please email me here.
Address pont ar daf car park access to pen y fan, near storey arms, libanus, powys, ld3 8nl by cycle national cycle network route 8 lon las cymru and the taff trail travels along the western and eastern fringes of the property from brecon and also approaches the property from the north, from talybontonusk to the east and cardiff from the south. It then climbs to the magnificent viewpoint of hay bluff, a few miles to the south of the town. A hike to the top of penyfan will give you an enormous sense of achievement as well as spectacular views. It is the go to place when skies are grey and theres rain in the air. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in brecon beacons national park, wales on tripadvisor. It stretches from llandeilo in the west to hayonwye in the northeast and pontypool in the southeast, covering 519 square miles 1,340 km 2 and encompassing four main regions the black mountain in the west, reaching. Ol12 brecon beacons national park parc cenedlaethol bannau brycheiniog. Best trails in brecon beacons national park powys, wales. The brecon beacons national park in welsh parc cenedlaethol bannau brycheiniog was established, as the name suggests, around the brecon beacons hill range in the south of wales, though it also encompasses the black mountain and fforest fawr. Its a popular walking destination, which is partially due to its location, being close to the population based of the south wales coast as well as london and. Packed with geological, historical, botanical and other information.
Discover all the brecon beacons have to offer at your own pace with our handy downloadable maps, and uncover some interesting facts along the way. All walks are free to download and print and many have gps files. The surrounding scenery is quite stunning, brecon falling within the brecon beacons national park, which extends to the south, east and west. Lovely walk but be prepared for about 3040 minutes of pretty hardcore hill climbing at the start. A vast and beautiful space for making the most of the great outdoors. Another one of our thriving market towns, brecon lies on the confluence of the river usk and afon honddu. Visit the mountain centre at libanus for more information on walking in the national park. Pdf walking on the brecon beacons download ebook for free. The two statutory purposes of the national park authorities. Parc cenedlaethol bannau brycheiniog is located in southern wales, part of the united kingdom. It is one of the best waterfall walks in britain with delightful woodland gorges, riverside trails along the afon mellte and a series of roaring waterfalls. Brecon beacons national park travel wales lonely planet. Brecon beacons national park, wales national geographic.
W elcom ashford tunnel is croe s o getting active 375 yards. This is the same size as the london underground system. Our national park is a great place to get active come rain or shine there is always something going on in one of the four corners of our national park. Mar 03, 2017 the section of the mon and brec which runs through the brecon beacons national park was originally called the brecknock and abergavenny canal. Os explorer map ol12 brecon beacons national park parc. W elcom ashford tunnel is croe s o getting active 375. The brecon beacons national park authority is a special purpose local authority with wideranging responsibilities for the conservation and enhancement of the landscape and the promotion of its enjoyment by the public, and in particular exercises planning functions across the designated area of the park. Rippling dramatically for 45 miles from near llandeilo in carmarthenshire all the way to the english border, brecon beacons national park parc cenedlaethol bannau brycheiniog encompasses some of the finest scenery in southern wales. This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the brecon beacons national park outdoor leisure maps 1. If you are looking for cycle routes please go to our brecon beacons cycle routes page use the filter to show walks of a certain type such as.
The brecon beacons national park is a real treasure trove of fine produce. Natural resources wales waterfall country woodlands gwaun. The high summits of the beacons themselves tell only part the story as, like most national parks, there is a varied range of scenery to be enjoyed within its boundaries. Ld3 ber bt org na tional lxrkvisttorcentre 01874 623366 visitor information centre with extensive views of the brecon beacons shon play area. Brecon beacons national park travel guide at wikivoyage. Stretching from hayonwye in the east to llandeilo in the west, the park includes the black. Volunteer opportunities in brecon beacons and monmouthshire. Brecon beacons national park the brecon beacons national park is located in southern wales, part of the united kingdom. The brecon beacons national park covers a wide area in south wales. Mainly supplied with water by the river usk, it stretched for 35 miles from brecon to pontymoile, near pontypool. The brecon beacons walks listed below cater for walkers of all abilities from easy lowlevel walks to the high mountain summits. Do you love being out on foot in the brecon beacons national park but dont do hills. Section 61 of this act sets out the parks two purposes. Explore the visitor centre exhibition after your ride, or.
With lakes, waterfalls, forests, country parks and numerous mountain climbs, the brecon beacons has something for walkers of all abilities. Its landscape mostly consists of bare grassland and moorland that is home to welsh mountain ponies and welsh mountain sheep. Tasty treats like our local whisky, cheese and chocolates make lovely gifts, art, crafts and gifts. Stones and mounds the rolling fields of brecon beacons national park are filled with evidence of many years of human history, including single standing stones, or. Within an area of 47 km 2 520 sq miles, the park contains some of the most spectacular and distinctive upland formations in southern britain. Im not the fittest and kept hoping the next horizon would be kinder. Rounded, spongy hills of grass and rock tumble and climb around river valleys that lie between sandstone and limestone uplands, peppered with glasslike lakes and villages that seem to have been hewn from one rock.
Top tourist attractions in the brecon beacons castell carreg cennen is a castle situated in the western part of the national park. The 15 best things to do in brecon beacons national park. The brecon beacons national park wales travel guide. This circuit around hay on wye takes you into the brecon beacons national park on the offas dyke path. The nearest stations are at abergavenny, merthyr tydfil and llandovery. Explore brecon beacons national park holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. The national park was established in 1957, the third of the three welsh parks after snowdonia in 1951 and the pembrokeshire coast national park in 1952. The section of the mon and brec which runs through the brecon beacons national park was originally called the brecknock and abergavenny canal. Locate brecon beacons national park hotels on a map based on popularity, price, or availability, and see tripadvisor. Natural resources wales waterfall country woodlands. This is a specatacular walk visiting four beautiful waterfalls near ystradfellte in the brecon beacons. Five great places to walk in the brecon beacons national park.
The geology of the national park consists of a thick succession of sedimentary rocks laid down from the late ordovician through the silurian and devonian to the late. Pdf brecon beacons download full pdf book download. Brecon beacons national park brecon be acons national park p a r c e c e n e d l a e t h o l b a n n a u b r y c h i n i o g did you know the national park covers 1,346 square kilometres or 520 square miles covering four distinct mountain ranges. The geology of the national park consists of a thick succession of sedimentary rocks laid down from the. The area also includes the stunning black mountains with some of the best views in the country. Guide to aircraft crash sites in the brecon beacons national park. Dog friendly brecon beacons brecon beacons tourism blog. However theres always a warm welcome here whatever the weather.
Sep, 2012 brecon beacons horseshoe walk from cwm taf fechan details this walk up the main brecon beacon summits of corn du, pen y fan and cribyn takes a quiet approach from the cwm taf fechan forest up the rhiw yr ysgyfarnog ridge. Brecon aberhonddu brecon beacons national park, wales. Inside are clear, familyfriendly routes across the brecon beacons national park, from the black mountains to the beacons way, all featuring gps waypoints, ordnance survey maps and enroute quizzes. Gwaun hepste is a pay and display car park, managed by brecon beacons national park authority. This walk includes the 2 hewitts of pen y fan brecon beacons, cribynthis walk includes the 3 nuttalls of pen y fan brecon beacons, cribyn, corn du. The brecon beacons national park was established in. It passes eastwest through the landmark black mountains, the brecon beacons and black mountain. It has contributed to numerous historic events including the owain glyndwr rebellion and it was a lancastrian stronghold during the war. New edition of crimson short walks brecon beacons comprising 20 short walks around the popular welsh region. Map of uks 15 national parks with names click image above for a4 printable pdf. This walk includes the 2 washis of pen y fan brecon beacons, cribyn.
First built as a roman military base it grew in the. Whatever your background, experience and talents theres a place for you in the brecon beacons and monmouthshire area. However, biodiversity is vulnerable, even in the national park. Brecon beacons national park and usk valley, make it a haven for wildlife, a tranquil setting for peaceful walks, and a playground for the more active. Pdf download walk the brecon beacons free ebooks pdf. Stones and mounds the rolling fields of brecon beacons national park are filled with evidence of many years of human history, including single standing stones, or menhirs, from the bronze age. National park 2012 national park administration the brecon beacons national park was established in 1957, under the national parks and access to the countryside act of 1949. The brecon beacons are one of four ranges of mountains and hills in south wales which make up the brecon beacons national park. Find exclusive range of maps, guides and books to help plan your visit to our national park. Brecon is in many ways a typical small welsh town, retaining that status though it does boast a cathedral. The walks described avoid the more popular routes to explore unfrequented wooded gorges and upland valleys. It impressively stands on the edge of a cliff and dates back to 1248. The landscapes of the brecon beacons national park are a gift to painters, and there is a rich culture of traditional and contemporary.
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