Brecon Beacons Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Wales, the Brecon Beacons is a captivating mountain range that offers a unique and breathtaking experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. With its rugged peaks, verdant valleys, and cascading waterfalls, this region promises an unforgettable journey through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United Kingdom.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, the Brecon Beacons offers a plethora of activities to suit all tastes and levels of fitness. Hiking enthusiasts can conquer the iconic Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain, or explore the vast network of trails that crisscross the mountains. As you ascend, you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas of rolling hills, deep valleys, and shimmering lakes that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Nature lovers will find solace in the tranquil beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park, which covers a staggering 520 square miles. Here, you can wander through ancient woodlands, where a myriad of flora and fauna thrive, or embark on a wildlife-spotting adventure, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive red kite or the playful otter.

For those seeking a more adrenaline-fueled experience, the Brecon Beacons offers a range of thrilling activities. From rock climbing and abseiling to canoeing and kayaking along the meandering rivers, there is no shortage of opportunities to get your heart racing.

In addition to its natural wonders, the Brecon Beacons is also steeped in history and culture. The region is dotted with charming villages and market towns, where you can discover the rich heritage of Wales. Explore the ancient ruins of castles and fortresses that bear witness to a turbulent past, or immerse yourself in the vibrant music and arts scene that thrives in this creative hub.

After a day of exploration, indulge in the warm hospitality and delectable cuisine that the Brecon Beacons is renowned for. Savor traditional Welsh dishes in cozy country pubs or treat yourself to a gourmet meal in one of the region's award-winning restaurants.

Alternative names: Area: 19.35 mi²Elevation: 2470 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 51°52'51"N, 3°25'59"W

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WalesUnited Kingdom

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Brecon Beacons Top Attractions

Brecon Beacons Attractions - What to See and Explore

Brecon Beacons offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Sgwd Henrhyd, Pen y Fan, Carreg Cennen Castle, Llanthony Priory. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Park • Waterfall
Sgwd Henrhyd
Henrhyd Falls in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, is the tallest waterfall in southern Wales with a drop of 90 feet. It lies on National Trust land, in the county of Powys.
Scenic peak with a hiking trail and cairn
Pen y Fan
Pen y Fan is the highest peak in South Wales, situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park. At 886 metres above sea-level, it is also the highest British peak south of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia.
Forts and castles • Historical place • View point
Carreg Cennen Castle
Carreg Cennen Castle is a castle sited on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the River Cennen, close to the village of Trap, four miles south of Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, Wales.

Ruins • Historical place • Monastery
Llanthony Priory
Llanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian priory in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep-sided once-glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. It lies seven miles north of Abergavenny on an old road to Hay-on-Wye at Llanthony.
Nature • Natural attraction • Cave
Porth yr Ogof
Porth yr Ogof is a cave located near the village of Ystradfellte, near the southern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Cribyn Mountain
Cribyn is a mountain in the Brecon Beacons with an elevation of 2608 feet about 300 feet lower than the neighbouring peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du.
Fishing and boating in a historic setting
Llangorse Lake
Llangorse Lake is the largest natural lake in Mid and South Wales, and is situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park, near the town of Brecon and the village of Llangors.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Llyn Cwm Llwch
Llyn Cwm Llwch is a small lake or pool in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Powys, Wales. It is between 1 and 2 acres: much smaller than the two glacial lakes in the west of the Black Mountain: Llyn y Fan Fawr and Llyn y Fan Fach, and one of the few natural bodies of water in the park.
Forts and castles • Museum • History museum
Tretower Court
Tretower Court is a medieval fortified manor house in Wales, situated in the village of Tretower, near Crickhowell in modern-day Powys, previously within the historical county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Llyn y Fan Fawr
Llyn y Fan Fawr is a natural lake in the county of Powys, Wales. It lies at the foot of Fan Brycheiniog, the highest peak of the Black Mountain range within the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Waun Lefrith
Waun Lefrith is a top of Picws Du and is also the westernmost of the Carmarthen Fans or Bannau Sir Gaer, a group of peaks within the Black Mountain of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It lies within Carmarthenshire, Wales.
Church
Church of St Martin
The Church of St Martin, Cwmyoy, Monmouthshire, Wales, was begun in the 12th century, although most of the current structure dates from the 13th century. The church is most notable for its extreme tilt, the result of a landslide.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Fan y Big
Fan y Big is a subsidiary summit of Waun Rydd in the Brecon Beacons National Park, in southern Powys, Wales. It is 716.6 m high and is often hiked as part of the Horseshoe Walk, a traverse of the four main peaks in the Brecon Beacons.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Fan Brycheiniog
Fan Brycheiniog is the highest peak at a height of 802.5 metres in the Black Mountain region of the Brecon Beacons National Park in southern Wales.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Picws Du
Picws Du is the second highest peak of the Carmarthen Fans in the Carmarthenshire section of the Black Mountain in the west of the Brecon Beacons National Park in south Wales.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Sugar Loaf
Sugar Loaf, sometimes called The Sugar Loaf, is a hill situated 2 miles north-west of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, Wales and sits within the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Nature • Natural attraction • Cave
Ogof y Daren Cilau
Ogof y Daren Cilau is one of several cave systems in the Llangattock escarpment near Crickhowell in south Powys, Wales. The cave was discovered in 1957 and is one of the longest cave systems in the country.
Natural attraction • Nature and wildlife • Park
Clydach Gorge
The Clydach Gorge is a steep-sided valley in south-east Wales down which the River Clydach flows to the River Usk. It runs for 5.6 kilometres from the vicinity of Brynmawr in Blaenau Gwent eastwards and northeastwards to Gilwern in Monmouthshire.
Monastery
Llanthony Abbey
Llanthony Abbey is a former Anglican monastic institution founded in 1869 by Joseph Leycester Lyne, in the Welsh village of Capel-y-ffin, a few miles from the medieval Llanthony Priory. It survived until 1908, after which it was the home of artist Eric Gill. It is now holiday accommodation.

Day trips

Brecon Beacons – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Brecon Beacons, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Queen Street (Cardiff), National Museum Cardiff (Cardiff), St Fagans National History Museum (Cardiff).

30 milesS
Street, Shopping district, Shopping
Queen Street, Cardiff
Nestled in the vibrant city of Cardiff, Queen Street stands as a bustling shopping district that beckons locals and tourists alike with its wide array of retail offerings. This pedestrianized thoroughfare is one of the main commercial hubs in the capital of Wales...
29 milesS
Art and Welsh history in a grand setting
National Museum Cardiff, Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff stands as a cultural beacon in the heart of Wales' capital city, offering a rich blend of art, history, and natural science. This esteemed institution, located in the civic centre of Cardiff, is known for its diverse collections that span across...
28 milesS
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
St Fagans National History Museum, nestled in the outskirts of Cardiff, United Kingdom, offers a unique window into Welsh life through the ages. This open-air museum, one of Europe's leading open-air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction, stands as a...
16 milesSE
Museum, Historical place, Specialty museum
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon
Nestled in the rugged landscape of Wales, the Big Pit National Coal Museum offers a profound journey into the country's industrial past. As a key part of Blaenavon's UNESCO World Heritage Site, this authentic coal mine provides a poignant reminder of the community...
30 milesS
Theme park, Beach, Amusement park
Coney Beach Pleasure Park, Porthcawl
Nestled along the coast of Porthcawl, Coney Beach Pleasure Park offers a traditional seaside amusement experience that has been delighting visitors for generations. This vibrant amusement park is a staple of the local community and a must-visit destination for tourists...