Since we started hiking in 2020, after seeing a lot of pictures and videos from South Wales, we have finally decided to spent our holiday hiking the highest mountain in Southern Britain, Pen Y Fan (886m).

We have camped at Rhandirmwyn Camping and Caravanning Club Site, a remote campsite, located in a valley 10 minutes away from Llandovery. The facilities are as per Camping and Caravan Club standard, clean and well maintained and the staff is very helpful. There is no mobile phone reception but they offer free WIFI across the site.

The area is quit popular for walkers and there are few pubs and small towns nearby.

It is nice to have a walk around the campsite and enjoy the lovely country side. This is how we have discovered that at 5 minutes from the campsite across the River Towy there is the Pwllpriddog Veteran Oak Tree, an impressive old oak tree.

We have spent a 3 nights in South Wales so we decided to do two walks, the Four Waterfalls route and Pen Y Fan.

The Pen Y Fan circular route starts from National Trust Cwm Gwdi Car park. The payment is via coins £3/ day and the road to the car park is narrow.

From the car park walk up to the end of the road then turn left and cross the river. We’ve created the route so the climb is not very steep and it is gradual so we can warm up before our ascend.

The first part of the route can be a little bit muddy and wet but once you start to ascent the grass and rocky path is better.

We did this route end of June and the weather was fantastic. We were able to enjoy the views with a vivid green colour. As soon as you start to ascent you can see Breacon at the bottom and the other peaks part of Brecon Beacon National Park.

It is so different to other parts of Wales or England and I was happy to be there to enjoy the walk.

The mountain and surrounding area are owned by the National Trust whose work parties attempt to combat the erosion caused by the popularity of this peak with walkers. The mountain is used by the military as part of the selection process of the UK's Special Forces personnel.

This route covers three peaks Cribyn, Pen Y Fan and Corn Du. The climb to each one of the peaks is steep and rocky but take your time and take in the beautiful scenery. After the first ascend I was definitely feeling that I was climbing a mountain and soon after we have stop for our lunch with a magnificent view in front.

The Brecon Beacon National Park is very popular and it can be busy so please respect the others and the nature. After we finished our lunch, we’ve put everything in the backpack and checked the area not to leave anything behind.

It up and down from one peak to the other it is difficult and demanding but when we reached to Pen Y Fan trip point, it was worth it.

Going down from Pen Y Fan it is steep but only for few meters as the last leg of the route is gradual descent.

This circular route of 12.4 miles is challenging and beautiful in the same time. Exploring part of Brecon Beacon National Park was a great experience and I would go back there any time.

See below more pictures from our adventure and do not forget to follow us on social media to see where we’ll be going next.