Summary:
A strenuous but highly enjoyable ridge walk that summits the three main peaks of the Brecon Beacons.

The approach to Cribyn is via the Bryn Teg ridge, which lies south of Cwm Gwdi Training Camp. From the car park, head uphill to the end of the road. A footpath sign on the left points down to a stream, Nant Gwdi, which you cross and head up the other side, bearing left up some steps cut into the ground. Turn left and follow the path through woodland, keeping the stream below you to the left. The path veers away from the stream towards a wire fence to the left. Follow the track through the ferns, keeping the fence to your left, until you reach a footpath sign pointing pack to the Cwm Gwdi car park.

From here, there are two ways to reach the ridge – the first along tracks and over fields following public rights of way, and a second more direct but steeper way requiring some route-finding over the hills:

OPTION A Turn left through the gate and follow the track ahead to a stile. Continue in the same direction to a junction, where you turn right along a wide track that leads to a farm. Pass through the farm and at the stile continue heading south-east as you follow the orange footpath arrow towards the top right-hand corner of the field and a gap in the trees. Keep in the same direction to cross the next three fields, eventually reaching a track, which you follow to the left to yet another stile and a tarmac lane. Turn right – the lane heads downhill to a steam, then starts to climb. It is now uphill all the way to the summit of Cribyn, a climb of some 1,790 ft / 545 m. The tarmac lane gives way to a stony track enclosed by a low stone wall, which ends at a gate and a National Trust sign for Cwm Cynwyn, the valley to the left of Bryn Teg. Continue climbing up the hillside, bearing right off the main path towards a grassy track that you can clearly see heading through ferns up the slope to the Bryn Teg ridge.

OPTION B This route continues ahead at the Cwm Gwdi sign to skirt the hillside, veering right to head south-west through the valley of Cwm Sere. At a series of waterfalls, descend and find a place to cross the stream and head up the slope ahead to the Bryn Teg ridge. The track ends, and you simply have to find the best route. Because you will need an OS map, no detailed instructions are given here.

As you climb up Bryn Teg, the views expand to a panorama of the main Beacons ridge: Fan y Big on the left, Pen y Fan on the right and, directly before you, the imposing north face of Cribyn. The gradient becomes much gentler for a short time as you prepare for the final, steep 445 ft/135 m climb to the summit. Your reward is the 360 view you will have in clear weather.

At the summit, turn right to steeply descend a broad track and then ascend another 200 m or so to the summit of Pen y Fan, the climb becoming increasingly steep and rocky as you reach the top. From here you can see the small glacial lake of Llyn Cwm Llwch, which you will pass later.

Bear left for Corn Du, the third summit, which is reached by a much easier descent and ascent. Once at the top, keep ahead at the summit cairn to follow the path steeply downhill, heading towards the lake. Pass a memorial obelisk on the left; behind you, the imposing backdrop of Corn Du and Pen y Fan rises starkly above the lake.

A narrow path to the right leads down 20 m or so to the lakeshore – you can take this path if you wish, and rejoin the main track further down the valley. Alternatively, keep above the lake as you descend over open ground through the valley of Cwm Llwch, with a beautiful view of wooded countryside ahead.

Climb the stile by the National Trust sign and continue descending through light woodland, with sheep-dotted hills to each side. Bear left just before a cottage and cross two stiles following the white arrows. Keep the wall to your right and head around a clump of trees to a sunken track with a low wall and rocks to either side. Turn left to follow the track northwards to a metal gate and stile. The path continues to parallel the stream, before veering slightly away as you head through a parking area. Pass through the metal gate – it is now quiet tarmac lanes all the way back to Cwm Gwdi Training Camp. Keep right (east) at the crossroads, and ahead at the next junction, and after 1.5 miles you will reach the entrance to the training camp.

Directions: The A40 to Brecon can be accessed from the north and east via the M6/M5 and M50, or from the south via the M4 (toll charged over the Severn Bridge) and A449.

Trailhead: Car park at Cwm Gedi Training Camp. From Brecon, continue west on the A40 at the first roundabout to bypass the town centre. At the second roundabout, turn right onto the B4601, and shortly after turn right at the Drovers Arms on to Ffrwdgrech Road. After 1 mile, bear left at the three-way fork and continue on for another 1.5 miles. The Cwm Gwdi Training Camp is well signed – head over the cattle grid and up the hill to the car park near the end of the road.

Length: 9 miles / 14.4 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 1,856 ft / 566 m
Total ascent 2,886 ft / 880 m.

Duration: 6 hours

Trail Condition: Main ridge trail over the peaks is easy to follow in good weather, although very steep and rocky in places. The initial part of the hike, from the car park to the Bryn Teg ridge, is more difficult to follow.

Features: Panoramic views, stark peaks, glacial lake, wooded valleys.

Climate: Changeable. Generally cool and often wet, windy and misty.

Accommodation: Hotels, B&Bs and campsites in and around Brecon. Bed-booking service available through the tourist information centre in Brecon.

Trail Notes: Trail is potentially dangerous in misty conditions, given the steep drop-offs from the north-facing ridge. Always be prepared for changeable weather. A map (Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 12, which is widely available) and compass are recommended, and essential in poor weather.