The Beacons Way

The Beacons Way is a 152km (95mile) linear walk across the Brecon Beacons National Park. It was devised by ex-Park Society Secretary John Sansom (who died in June 2006), in conjunction with Arwel Michael and Chris Barber.

GOOD ROUTE NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS AND THE ABILITY TO READ A MAP AND USE A COMPASS ARE ESSENTIAL.
The route is waymarked where it crosses farmland, but there is no waymarking on open hills and moorland. Walkers will need the Brecon Beacons National Park 1:25.000 Ordnance Survey maps OL12 & OL13 to enable them to see the trail in its full context. Without these maps, in bad weather or emergencies, it will be impossible to devise escape routes. No person inexperienced in hill walking should attempt this trail without an experienced guide.

The Beacons Way can be broken down over 8 days, walking segments as follows: or see the website
1. The Holy Mountain to Llanthony via Ysgyryd Fawr (486 metres), Llanvihangel Crucorney and Hatterrall Hill (531m) - 16.2km (10.1miles) long with 803m (2634ft) of ascent.
2.Llanthony to Crickhowell via Bal Bach (520m), Partrishow, Crug Mawr (550m) and Table Mountain - 20.3km (12.7 miles) long with 961m (3152ft) of ascent.
3.Crickhowell to Llangynidr via Cwm Mawr, Cwmdu, Cefn Moel and Bwlch - 20.3km (12.6 miles) long with 844m (2768ft) of ascent.
4.Llangynidr to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad via Bryn Melyn, Pont Blaen-y-glyn, Fan y Big (719m), Cribyn (795m), Pen y Fan (886m) and Corn Du (873m) - 26.4km (16.4 miles) long with 1439m (4719ft) of ascent.
5.Craig Cerrig-gleisiad to Craig-y-nos via Fan Dringarth (617m), Fan Llia (632m), Sarn Helen and Penwyllt - 21.8km (13.5 miles) long with 755m (2476ft) of ascent.
6.Craig-y-nos to Llanddeusant via Tafarn y Garreg, Llyn y Fan Fawr, Fan Brycheiniog (802m) and Picws Du (749m) - 17.8km (11.0 miles) long with 1067m (3500ft) of ascent.
7.Llanddeusant to Carreg Cennen via Carreg yr Ogof (585m), Garreg Las (635m), Foel Fraith (602m) and Carn Pen Rhiw-ddu - 23.8km (14.8 miles) long with 1032m (3385ft) of ascent.