Pen y Fan – Corn Du summit loop from Brecon

Hiking trails & Routes

Pen y Fan – Corn Du summit loop from Brecon

Hard

4.8

(5)

hikers

Pen y Fan – Corn Du summit loop from Brecon

07:58

25.0km

960m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

6.37 km

Coed y Crofftau

Forest

12.5 km

Cribyn Summit

Highlight • Summit

At 2,608 feet (795 m), the summit of Cribyn boasts bold and dramatic views over Pen-y-Fan, looking towards the steep cliff that forms its eastern flank. When the weather is clear, the views to the north are especially impressive too, towards Mynydd Epynt, Brecon and the Cambrian mountains beyond.

Tip by

13.8 km

Jacob's Ladder (Pen y Fan Ascent)

Highlight • Climb

Classic route to the top of Pen Y Fan and a great thigh burner. Made infamous by the SAS as part of their Fan Dance event. It's a great place to work out and get some of the best views in the central range of the Brecon Beacons at the same time.

Tip by

13.9 km

Pen y Fan

Highlight • Summit

Chief of the Brecon Beacons and the highest summit in south Wales, Pen y Fan is a hugely popular peak with routes to the top to suit everyone from first time day-trippers to potential SAS commandos. Red sandstone creates its unmistakable layered profile and gives hue to the Bronze Age cairn that tops the summit.

Tip by

13.9 km

Col between Corn Du and Pen y Fan

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

This easy col between Pen Y Fan and Corn Du is a gorgeous easy hill section no more than a few hundred metres long with minimal height gain and loss. It is very busy for a good reason, as the views north and south are picture postcard. Being a broad col and a bit lower than the nearby summits, it is a popular rest/picnic area. There is also easy access from Pontardaff car park, which is about a 45-minute walk away. This is high mountain country though, so it would be wise to dress appropriately for the weather.

Tip by

14.5 km

Looking towards Pen y Fan from Corn Du

Highlight • Viewpoint

Looks even better under snow!

Tip by

14.6 km

Corn Du summit

Highlight • Summit

Corn Du is rarely climbed alone, but as a peak added to an expedition to Pen y Fan. The climb up is a great one though and the views from the top are absolutely spectacular.

On clear days, you can see all the way to the Severn Bridge and beyond, as well as much of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Be careful in bad weather conditions: visibility can shrink to zero on one of the regular foggy days and strong winds will try and blow your sandwiches away!

Tip by

15.0 km

Corn Du Northwest Ridge

Highlight • Climb

The steep upper section of Corn Du's northwest ridge is the most strenuous part of the hike to its summit for people ascending from the Storey Arms Centre. There are superb views across Cwm Llwch and its little llyn nestled in a hollow below. From here, Corn Du looks an imposing peak, particularly when covered in snow.

Tip by

15.5 km

Tommy Jones Memorial

Highlight • Monument

The memorial is a 'bit' misleading by way of location, as it was moved by the National Trust some years ago. It used to be a good few hundred metres further over the hill. The erosion to the memorial by visitors was quite extensive, so they moved the plinth next to the path to ease the erosion problem.

Tip by

16.0 km

Beach

25.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.2 km

6.45 km

5.70 km

2.66 km