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 Black Mountains in the east, the Brecon Beacons and Fforest Fawr in the centre, and the Black Mountain region (formerly called the Camarthen Fans) in the largely Welsh-speaking west.
Here is our travel guide to the Brecon Beacons National Park, including history, things to do, places to stay and best walks.
As well as mountains to climb, there is a huge range of outdoor activities to try - mountain biking, horse riding, abseiling, paragliding, rafting and more. The region is also one of the UK's four International Dark Skies Reserves and part of the National Park is a UNESCO Global Geopark, protecting and showcasing its geology, archaeology and history.
How big is the Brecon Beacons National Park?
Covering an area 520 square miles, the Brecon Beacons National Park is four times the size of Malta. The 95-mile Beacons Way winds through the heart of the park, contributing to just a fraction of the overall 1,232 miles of right of way trails in the area.
When glancing over a map of the national park for the first time, many will retreat from the chart in bewilderment. Sandwiching the Brecon Beacons massif in the centre of the park are two mountain groups: to the east, the Black Mountains and to the west the Black Mountain.
How much is used for farming?
There are around 1,250 farms within the park, the majority of which are pastoral (cows and sheep).
Is the Brecon Beacons National Park a Dark Sky site?
Of the 11 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, the UK has 4 –Exmoor, Snowdonia the South Downs and the Brecon Beacons National Park. The rugged landscape of the Brecon Beacons National Park became a dark sky reserve in 2013. Its sandstone peaks and upland lakes offer a magical setting to discover galaxies.
Things to do in the Brecon Beacons National Park
Best walks in the Brecon Beacons National Park
From spectacular ridgelines and mountains to glistening waterfalls, rivers and lakes, the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales has something for everyone.
Craig-Cerrig-gleisiad, Powys walking route
- Easy 2.7 miles
Purple Arctic-alpine flowers and bluebells colour a craggy habitat that's home to one of the Brecon Beacons' wildest views.
Sugar Loaf mountain, Monmouthshire
- Moderate 5 miles
In its relatively modest 596m, the summit of Sugar Loaf in the Brecon Beacons National Park encompasses much that is magical about mountains, hills and woodland – explore this wonderful Welsh peak with a five-mile circular walk.
Carn Pica, Powys
- Moderate/challenging 5 miles
A five-mile circular walk from Talybont Reservoir to the summit of Carn Pica in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Llanthony and Hatterall Ridge, Monmouthshire
- Moderate 4.5 miles
Get your heart racing with a 4.5-mile circular walk, ascending from a valley of ancient architecture to the sweeping mountain views of Offa's Dyke Path.
Pen y Fan, Powys
- Challenging 10 miles
Pen y Fan is one of the most popular peaks in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Most visitors hike to the mountain top from the Storey Arms – but for a quieter and more rewarding route, take the path up from Taf Fechan Forest past Neuadd Reservoir.
There is also an easier and more direct route to the summit of Pen y Fan via the Storey Arms car park.
Discover more Brecon Beacons walks
Best Brecon Beacons towns and villages to visit
The market towns of Brecon and Hay-on-Wye are pleasant places to spend an afternoon, packed full of traditional shops and well stocked cafes, they are also brimming with history.
Hay-on-Wye
Located close to the border of England and Wales this little town has become known as the ‘Town of Books’. Hay-On-Wye is world famous for it’s second-hand bookstores, with there presently being around thirty. The town has a range of galleries, clothing, and craft shops with many original and unusual items for sale.
Brecon
A bustling market town set in the heart the Usk Valley, Brecon's narrow streets with Georgian facades tell the story of its Norman past. Take a look at the, 12th century cathedral, South Wales Borderers Military Museum, and Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery, plus on the second Saturday of every month, Brecon hosts the largest farmer's market in the area.
Crickhowell
The picturesque market town of Crickhowell, lies in the Usk Valley, and has an array of shops and restaurants, as well as being a great starting point for an abundance of outdoor activities. The remains of a motte and bailey castle built by the Normans still exist, with another well-known feature of the town being the 16th century bridge that spans the River Usk.
Llangorse
The Llangorse community comprises several small villages, and is a haven for sports lovers. The lake has a variety of water sports including sailing, boating, canoeing and water-skiing, with the surrounding hills ideal for walking and horse riding. The village of Llangorse has stunning views of the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains, as well as two pubs, a shop and a post office.
Best attractions to visit in the Brecon Beacons
Find things to do in the Brecon Beacons with our below selection of activities and places to visit.
Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is located on one of Britain’s most impressive staircase lock systems. Known as the Cefn Flight or ‘Fourteen locks’, the canal level was raised 50 metres in just 740 metres. An amazing feat of engineering, the locks are all interdependent and particularly narrow and deep. With thirteen locks being derelict their restoration is a long-term focus of the Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust. The Visitor Centre has interesting ‘interpretive displays’, showing how coal and iron were transported from the Welsh Valleys to the ports of Cardiff and Newport in the 19th century.
Brecon Mountain Railway
The Brecon Mountain Railway is a preserved steam railway running from Pant to Pontsticill station. Visitors can travel in an all weather observation coach behind a vintage steam locomotive into the Brecon National Park, along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir to Dol-y-Gaer. At Pontsticill station guests can alight, and head to the café, which has views across the reservoir to the peaks of the Brecon Beacons. At Pant visit the workshop where the old stream locomotives are repaired.
Carreg Cennen Castle and Farm
Located on the western fringe of the Brecon Beacons, the castle dates back to at least the thirteenth century. The castle has an exciting history changing ownership many times, being besieged during the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr in around 1403, and having it’s interior destroyed following the War of the Roses. The farm is very visitor friendly with a tearoom, as well as the chance to get involved with feeding the lambs in spring.
The National Showcaves for Wales
The caves at Dan-yr-Ogof are an impressive example of natural cave formation. There are three caves to visit; Cathedral Cave, Bone Cave and the Show Cave. Dan-yr-Ogof has over ten miles of unique caves, full of beautiful cave formations, passages and chambers. In Bone Cave 42 human skeletons have been discovered believed to date back to the Bronze Age, suggesting that the cave has been a shelter to man through many periods in history. There are a number of interesting exhibits depicting mans involvement with caves.
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Big Pit museum is a former coalmine, and now provides an exploration of the history of coal mining in Wales. The museum offers a multi-media tour of a modern coalmine in the mining galleries, with exhibitions such as the Pithead Baths bringing the history of the mines vividly to life. Big Pit is best known for it’s Underground Tour which allows visitors to go 300 feet underground with a real miner, and experience what life was like for the men who worked on the coalface.
Wildlife and Nature to spot in the Brecon Beacons
Otters
The popular but elusive otter can be found around most of the waterways of the National Park. The best time to see them is around dawn or dusk. Remember to be very quiet and still as they are shy creatures! Signs of otter’s presence are paw prints with a ‘chunky’ shape and five toes, large fish remains, and faeces, which are often blue -black and contain fish remains.
Otter guide: where to see and species facts
Our guide explores the history of the European otter in Britain, from the 1950s when the species was on the the brink of extinction to the still-rare yet widespread populations of the present day. We also look at the key characteristics of the European otter, what they eat and the best places to see them.
Llangasty Bird Hide, llangorse Lake
Llangasty bird hide is an ideal spot for watching wildlife, situated on the south shore of Llangorse lake near wildflower meadows, and reed beds. A large number and variety of birds live in and visit the area, including wildfowl and waders. The meadows also contain a wealth of plant life, such as orchids.
Podcast: The dark history of Llangorse Lake
Take a walk around a stunning lake in the Brecon Beacons and discover the truth about the strange creature said to lurk in its depths.
Coed-y-Cerrig National Nature Reserve, Black Mountains
Located in a peaceful valley close to the Black Mountains, this mixed woodland is host to a variety of wildlife. At the valley bottom plants which like wet conditions such as alder trees grow. The drier woodland has large oaks, ash, beech and hazel, under which dormice have been found. A boardwalk winds it’s way through the woodland for easy access.
Black Mountain Red Kite Feeding Station
Red kites are beautiful and graceful birds and the opportunity to see them shouldn’t be missed. Located in the remote western area of the park at Llanddeusant, the feeding station attracts over fifty red kites and buzzards a day. The birds are fed once a day, with a hide allowing visitors to get close to them.
Pwll-y-Wrach Nature Reserve
This beautiful nature reserve has 8.5 hectares of woodland, sloping down to the River Ennig. At the Eastern end of the reserve is an impressive waterfall that falls into a dark pool known as the ‘witches pool’. Look out for the unusual looking toothwort plant at the base of trees near the river.
Things to do in the Brecon Beacons
Guided Walks organised by the National Park authority
If you fancy meeting other walkers the National Park authority runs a variety of guided walks. Expert guides, who help visitors understand more about the Brecon Beacons National Park, lead the walks. A variety of lengths and grades of walks are provided, so there should be something for everyone.
Horse Riding
With spectacular scenery and easily accessible equestrian routes the Brecon Beacons is a great location for a spot of horse riding. There are a number of riding centres catering for a range of abilities. Ellesmere Riding Centre and Tregoyd Mountain Riders both offer half day and full day riding, as well as riding holidays.
Watersports
Learn to Kayak with lessons and courses from River Strokes , or hire a boat on the scenic Llangorse lake from Llangorse Common .
Cycling
Several cycling routes weave their way through the Brecon Beacons National Park, making this a great way to explore. Some cycle businesses offer package holidays, with planned routes and accommodation.
Caving
The Brecon Beacons is home to some of the best cave systems in Europe, but bear in mind that a qualified instructor should accompany inexperienced cavers. There are many outdoor centres and specialists within the park offering caving courses. Hawk Adventures offers whole or half-day caving courses with qualified instructors.
Where to stay in the Brecon Beacons
Find places to stay in the Brecon Beacons with our selection of lovely cottages.
Self-catering
Mill House, Ponfaen
For a riverside retreat Mill House in the hamlet of Pontfaen, Powys offers the perfect place to escape from the stresses of everyday life in comfortable surroundings. From the cottage sit and watch wildlife from the small balcony (if you're lucky you might spot herons or salmon) or head off for a walk in the surrounding countryside. In cooler evenings light the logburner and play board games round the fire. A perfect base for exploring all the Brecon Beacons has to offer.
Quality Cottages offers stays at Mill House from £360 for three nights or £488 for seven nights, based on four sharing. Two dogs welcome free of charge.
The Secret Mill, near Llandovey, Cambrian Mountains
Overlooking the Brecon Beacons, this 18th-century former woollen mill sits majestically within a 70-acre estate spread across the Towy Valley. The quirky cottage has been renovated into an elegant retreat, with a charming open-plan living area, fully-equipped luxury kitchen and private garden with covered veranda, fire-pit and hot-tub. A range of walking trails lead directly from the front door, with guests free to explore the private grounds as well as the waterfalls and gentle woodland walks of the nearby Cambrian Mountains. www.qualityunearthed.co.uk
Tyn Y Coed Cottage, Powys
A truly peaceful retreat situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park Tyn Y Coed Cottage is surrounded by mature woodland and lush green fields. Built of Welsh stone, the cottage features exposed wooden beams, inglenook fire place and a large wood burning stove.
The cottage’s nearest neighbour is over 1.7 miles away so, seclusion is guaranteed. Ideal for nature lovers, walkers and cyclists, Tyn Y Coed provides the ultimate base camp for an adventure in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Children can also play safely on the rope swings, run free in the gardens or go exploring the surrounding fields. Prices for a three-night break start from £580 for up to six guests and from £1100 for a week’s stay. tynycoed-cottage.co.uk
