Beacons Way / Ffordd y Bannau
Why not explore the National Park using The Beacons Way?
The Beacons Way walk offers some of the best views the National Park has to offer. If you want to complete the whole 152km (95 mile) walk it takes eight days, or you can do it one day at a time at your convenience. Some days are more challenging than others so you can choose what suits you and maybe set yourself a challenge to build up to the more strenuous days.
A book is available called The Beacons Way: The Holy Mountain to Bethlehem by John Sansom and Arwel Michael, complete with maps, instructions and points of historical interest - available in the National Park's visitor and information centres or by post - see details below.
Or you can use the OS Explorer Maps OL12 and OL13 to follow the route.
If you have walked part or all of the Beacons Way we would love to hear about your experiences and value your feedback.
The Route
Day 1: The Holy Mountain to Llanthony via Ysgyryd Fawr (486 metres), Llanvihangel Crucorney and Hatterrall Hill (531m). Total: 17km (10.6miles) long with 697m of ascent.
Day 2: Llanthony to Crickhowell via Bal-Bach (520m), Partrishow, Crug Mawr (550m) and Table Mountain. Total: 19.3km (12 miles) long with 934m of ascent.
Day 3: Crickhowell to Llangynidr via Cwm Mawr, Cwmdu, Cefn Moel and Bwlch. Total: 19.5km (12.2 miles) long with 680m of ascent.
Day 4: Llangynidr to Storey Arms via Bryn Melyn, Craig y Fan Ddu, Fan y Big (719m), Pen y Fan (886m) and Corn Du (873m). Total: 22.7km (14.2 miles) long with 1020m of ascent.
Day 5: Storey Arms to Craig-y-nos via Fan Dringarth (617m), Fan Llia (632m), Sarn Helen and Penwyllt. Total: 23.7km (14.75 miles) long with 555m of ascent.
Day 6: Craig-y-nos to Llanddeusant via Tafarn y Garreg, Llyn y Fan Fawr, Fan Brycheiniog (802m)and Picws Du (749m). Total: 16.8km (10.5 miles) long with 780m of ascent.
Day 7: Llanddeusant to Carreg Cennen Castle via Carreg Yr Ogof (585m), Garreg Las (635m), Foel Fraith (602m) and Carn Pen Rhiw-ddu. Total: 21.8km (13.6 miles) long with 790m of ascent .
Day 8: Carreg Cennen Castle to Bethlehem via Cilmaenllwyd, Carreglwyd, Carn Goch. Total: 10.9km (6.8 miles) long with 240m of ascent.
A revised edition of The Beacons Way guidebook describing the route from Holy Mountain to Bethlehem is now available. The book has 100 pages and is richly illustrated with colour pictures and map sections of the route. The price is £9.99 and it can be ordered from Blorenge Books, Church Lane, Llanfoist, Abergavenny, NP7 9NG - please add £2 for P&P and make cheques payable to Blorenge Books.
The book will also available from the National Park's visitor centres and from various bookshops, outdoor equipment shops and Tourist Information Centres in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Beacons Way 8 Day Guided Walk 2012
Rob Knowles from the Brecon Beacons Park Society will be leading another 8 day guided walk from east to west along the entire length of the Beacons Way, from Saturday 21 to Saturday 28 July 2012. To find out more and to book a place, please contact Rob direct on: 07971 190768 or email him.
The walk is organised by the Brecon Beacons Park Society (an independent membership organisation - not part of the National Park Authority). For more information about the Beacons Way, including outline maps of the various stages, accommodation and transport options, details of guided walks along the route, and a series of photographs, visit: Brecon Beacons Park Society.
This route was researched, developed and compiled by the late John Sansom, for the Brecon Beacons Park Society, in conjunction with Arwel Michael and Chris Barber. It has since been adopted as the Official Trail of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and can be walked independently or as part of a group.
Please follow the Countryside Code at all times.
