Pen-y-Fan
Pen‑y‑Fan rises to 886 metres and is the highest peak in South Wales, standing proud at the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. This iconic summit welcomes walkers of all levels, offering sweeping panoramas of rolling hills, wide valleys, and (on clear days) the distant coastline of Wales.
An attainable yet powerful summit experience that rewards with spacious skies.
The most popular route begins at the Storey Arms centre, where a well-maintained path ascends gradually across open moorland before steepening toward the rocky ridge connecting Corn Du and Pen‑y‑Fan. The round trip covers approximately six miles and typically takes around four hours, allowing for rest stops and time to enjoy the view. The terrain remains manageable in summer, but in winter or mist, good map-reading skills and proper equipment are essential.
At the summit, a summit cairn marks the spot where visitors can take in sights stretching over 100 miles. Foggy conditions can set in quickly, so layers, waterproofs, sturdy boots, and navigation tools are vital, especially above 600 metres. There are no facilities on the mountain itself, but both the Storey Arms centre and nearby Pont ar Daf car park offer parking and basic amenities.
Nearby zip world locations
Tower Colliery
12 miles away
Llechwedd
80 miles away
Betws-y-Coed
85 miles away
Penrhyn Quarry
92 miles away
Manchester
124 miles away
London
149 miles away
Windermere
175 miles away
