Brecon Beacons 4
Fan Gyhirych & Fan Nedd
DRAMATIC SCARPS & LONELY MOORLAND
Tread softly through one of the quieter corners of the Brecon Beacons on this moorland circuit.
The Ogof Fynnon Du (OFD) National Nature Reserve is a truly special corner of the Brecon Beacons, with limestone pavement criss-crossed by 19th century tramroads that brought quarried limestone and silica to the valley below. The abandoned village of Penwyllt, once the home to the workforce, sits above the deepest known cave system in the UK, with more than 60km of passageways connecting spectacular cave formations of national significance. The only hints of this vast subterranean wilderness are now the shake holes, strange craters and undulations either side of the trail.
The old tramroads can be followed up to the steep, glorious glaciated scoop of the Fan Gyhirych escarpment, from where views to the north take in quiet valleys, lakes and the plains to the north, dividing the Beacons from the mid-Wales uplands. A short trek on from here takes you to the second high point of the route: Fan Nedd, the ideal spot for looking back across the route so far. A change in character marks the final section of the route, heading back across the moors above OFD, but on one of the quieter sections of the long distance Beacons Way. You’re unlikely to see another soul here most days.
MARTIN SWEENEY
1 SN856155
Start at the large gravelled parking area next to the fenced off quarry at Penwyllt. Head towards the row of terraced buildings that houses the caving club, but then turn left and up onto the moorland before you reach the buildings (follow the right of waymarker). The obvious track leads steadily uphill, crossing a disused rail bed after around 200m. Turn left here and follow the rail bed to the north. Look out for remnants of the rail sleepers used when the tramroad was active before crossing a double boundary as the track levels off. Follow the track around to the right now, staying above the valley and following its line until you reach a simple stream crossing just before reaching the edge of a large plantation.
2 SN873170
Follow the broad gravel track away from the woods and uphill to the north-east. As you gain height, the pretty valley below the track to the right becomes steeper and more obvious. The track crosses a fence line at a gate and stile and the ground becomes steeper once more. Shortly after the point where the
