We are the Broxtowe Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Andy C.
This walk is part of the Broxtowe Ramblers trip to the Brecon Beacons
Beacons Horsehoe
10 miles (16km) Ascent 3,600ft (1,100m) Descent 3,600ft (1,100m)
This is a spectacular circular ridge walk visiting the main peaks of Corn Du, Pen Y Fan, Cribyn and Fan Y Big. The Brecon Beacons are consisted of multiple layers of Old Red Sandstone, and the geological term ‘Cuesta’ applies typically here: steep scarp slopes and more gentle dip slopes. The sedimentary layers are responsible for the beautiful horizontal rippled layering of the scarp faces, and none more impressive than that of Pen Y Fan. We will start by following the Taf Fechan river, before climbing up to Graig Fan Ddu ridge. The first summit is Corn Du before the climb to the highest point in the Brecon Beacons Pen Y Fan. Then on to the summits of Cribyn and Fan Y Big, before gently descending to Taf Fechan forest and back to the start point.
In clear conditions, the Brecon Beacons present no problem, provided care is taken over the summit sections where the bedrock is exposed. As the rock is sandstone, the surfaces tend to be friable, and we will encounter a few steep ‘gravelly’ areas. In mist and bad weather conditions, extreme care is required at the summits, particularly when approaching the scarp face edges, which have very steep and sudden drops; and also are potentially friable.
This is the Taf Fechan forest car park and is found just over Cwmyfedwen bridge
