Discover more at the Brecon Beacons
Find out how to get to the Brecon Beacons, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
Walking up Pen y Fan and the Brecon Beacons mountain range
- Published:
- 10 August 2025
At 886 metres tall, Pen y Fan is the highest mountain in southern Britain, sharing the skyline with the peaks of Corn Du and Cribyn. Each year hundreds of thousands of people walk to their summits, however the Beacons can be a challenging place and preparation is key to a great day out.
Preparing to walk up Pen y Fan and the Brecon Beacons mountain range
Whichever peak you walk up it will be a steep hike at times, which can involve navigating some rough terrain. There will be challenges in any season and the weather can change fast in Wales. Preparation is key to walking safely and minimising your chance of getting lost or hurt. Enjoy an exhilarating day out by following these safety tips:
Plan your route
Plan your route in advance and choose walking routes with your group’s capabilities and timings in mind. Follow pathways, avoiding cliff edges or walking on terrain that you are unsure of. You can find some top trails on the ‘Things to see and do’ section of the website, via the homepage.
Watch the weather
Glorious sunshine? Take a hat, sun cream, lots of water (always take lots of water). Torrential rain? Consider whether the conditions are suitable based on you and your companions’ capabilities. Remember that warm and sunny conditions at the base of a mountain can turn to cold, wet and windy conditions at the summit. You can find the weather forecast here [LINK]. Whatever the weather on the day of your walk, check ahead, check the day before, check the morning of and dress appropriately for the conditions. If you’re walking up Pen y Fan then you can check-in with the Welcome Team at Pont ar Daf carpark before setting off, they can let you know how conditions are and answer any questions you might have.
Wear the right gear
Choosing appropriate clothing is important when tackling the elements. Consider the right footwear (such as walking boots with ankle support) think about insulating but breathable layers, waterproofs and hats and gloves when facing challenging walks, even in the summer.
Go equipped
A map and a compass are a good place to start and should be easily accessible in your backpack if going on long walks in the mountains. Other useful items can include a fully charged mobile phone, a portable phone charger, a whistle, a watch, a torch with spare batteries and bulbs and a spare GPS. Whistles can be used to signal “rescue needed” with six good long blasts, stop for one minute, and then repeat until someone reaches you.
Tell a friend
When out exploring with others, it’s important to walk at the pace of the slowest person in your group. If you’d rather go alone, make sure to let someone know your plans before starting your journey. This should include your route, your start and finish points, estimated time of return and any changes during your trip.
Keep your energy levels up
Before heading out, make sure you eat well. Take food with you and plenty to drink to keep hydrated (please note there is nowhere to fill up your water bottle at the Pont ar Daf carpark, make sure you are well-stocked for water before setting off from home). Chocolate and dried fruit are a great way to give you that quick boost, but you should also consider slow-release energy foods like porridge bars and bananas which will help keep energy levels up throughout the day. Remember to follow the countryside code “leave no trace” recommendation by taking all your litter with you.
Be vigilant
Be aware of your surroundings and changes in weather conditions. Keep an eye on any children and pets joining you on your trip and be prepared for the possibility of having to turn back if the weather deteriorates.
Know how to get help
In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the police and Mountain Rescue.
Remember that you can use your whistle as well (six good long blasts, stop for one minute, and then repeat until someone reaches you). If you find someone in trouble, don’t put yourself at risk, stay in a safe place and call for help from there.
Follow guidance
Rangers work hard to keep the mountain paths maintained, this is for your safety as well as the conservation of the surrounding areas. Please look after yourself and the environment by sticking to the paths. Don’t go near drops, don’t take unnecessary risks, it is vital that you take personal responsibility for your own safety.
Visit Adventure Smart for more tips on how to prepare for walking the Brecon Beacons mountain range.
How many people walk the Brecon Beacons mountain range?
An estimated 750,000 people walk up Pen y Fan, Corn Du and Cribyn each year, we’ve been seeing unprecedented numbers of hikers in recent years. The increase in visitors puts the local mountain rescue teams under extreme pressure.
Pont ar Daf car park is the most popular place to start a walk-up Pen y Fan. We ask that you come back another time if the car park is full and endeavour to lift share if you can. We often see irresponsible and sometimes even reckless parking when carparks are full. If you can’t find a designated space in a designated carpark, please come back another time.
Bringing your dog
Please be mindful of grazing livestock and ground nesting birds by keeping every dog on a short lead. Don’t forget your poo bags and take your litter home with you where bins aren’t available. The mountains are home to a range of wildlife and it’s important to protect this precious habitat.
We ask all walkers to adhere to the Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:
- Keep them close: using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals.
- Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin, take poo bags home with you.
- Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a place has a dog ban, if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
- Stay on the ball: not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. Make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.
It’s important that you’re in control of your dog, we define effective control as:
- Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call.
- Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill).
- Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent.
Find out more about visiting the Brecon Beacons mountain range with you dog here.
Leave no trace
Unfortunately littering is a constant problem for our ranger teams and harms wildlife and landscapes. Please leave no trace of your visit and take all your litter home with you. For everyone’s safety please never use barbecues or light fires and leave drones at home.
We really hope you enjoy your walk in the Brecon Beacons; it’s a beautiful landscape which we’re so fortunate to be able to explore. Make the most of your adventure by being prepared and staying safe.
