A circular stone summit shelter on a rocky plateau at cool blue dusk, with misty hills fading beyond
The big Beacons day

Pen y Fan Horseshoe

One of the most iconic mountain walks in Wales — a dramatic high-level circuit over Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big, the definitive “big Beacons” experience.

Overview

The definitive high-level circuit

The Pen y Fan Horseshoe delivers steep climbs, exposed ridges and huge views across the National Park in a single dramatic loop over Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big. It's the definitive “big Beacons” day — a challenging route for experienced walkers and sunrise missions alike.

A bee feeding on purple heather, with blurred dusk-blue hills behind
Key facts

Plan your walk

Distance
9 miles / 14.5 km
Time
4.5–6 hours
Difficulty
Hard
Terrain
Rocky paths, steep ascents, exposed ridges
Start / Finish
Pont ar Daf or Neuadd Reservoir
Best for
Experienced walkers, sunrise missions, ridge enthusiasts
Route description

Step by step

  1. 1

    Pont ar Daf → Corn Du

    A steep pitched path with early views over the escarpment.

  2. 2

    Corn Du

    A broad summit plateau with dramatic drops.

  3. 3

    Pen y Fan

    The highest point in South Wales — huge panoramas.

  4. 4

    Saddle → Cribyn

    A steep descent followed by a sharp climb.

  5. 5

    Cribyn → Fan y Big

    A sweeping ridge to the famous “Diving Board”.

  6. 6

    Return to Pont ar Daf

    Complete the full horseshoe loop.

A golden-hour rocky escarpment edge with a sea of cloud filling the valley below

Terrain & difficulty

A demanding mountain route with steep climbs and exposed ridges throughout. Come prepared for the conditions up high.

Local tips

  • Best done early in the morning
  • The “Diving Board” is safe if approached carefully
  • Parking fills quickly
  • Microspikes are recommended in winter
In summary

One of the best high-level routes in Wales

The Pen y Fan Horseshoe is one of the most rewarding mountain walks in the Brecon Beacons, combining steep climbs, dramatic ridges and panoramic views across South Wales. Its iconic summits and year-round appeal make it the definitive Beacons experience for experienced hikers.

Take it with you

Download the route

Get the GPX track for Pen y Fan Horseshoe to load into your GPS device or hiking app.

Download GPX

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