A Fine November Day in the Brecon Beacons

"A fine November day?", you might ask. November is dark and wet and generally miserable. Generally the worst month for outdoor pursuits. Or one of them. December is not much better really. This is the time where I'd rather sit in my warm and dry home dreaming of or planning next year's adventures. But so far we'd been treated to a fairly dry and quite lovely autumn.

I'd already settled for a quiet chilled Sunday when Rich asked me Friday night if I fancied going for a walk on Sunday. South Wales maybe? This must be the first time he suggested something like that. I'd dragged him along some of my trips and he's enjoying ardous but lovely walks more and more. The list of things I want to do is ever present in my head, so it took me only two seconds to suggest Pen y Fan horseshoe!

And so we left Bristol as early as 8am on a bright and chilly Sunday morning taking only 1.5hrs to Neuadd Reservoir where our walk would start. Previously, I'd done pretty much the same route from Newport taking 2 hrs. Ah, the solitude of an early Sunday morning, eh?

Heading out from the car park we got a proper sweat on as we headed up to the ridge of Graig Fan Ddu only to be greeted by the at times strong and icy wind. We layered up and walked towards Corn Du with fine views all around. Absolutely stunning and well worth the early start!!!

We're not the only ones this morning

Had a quick lunch break on Corn Du with surprisingly little wind, which still got us shivering and freezing soon. This and a light snow shower (!) made us move on to Pen y Fan. The highest mountain of South Wales. I'd never been on its top and was happy to finally tick it of the list. More fine views all around the full 360 circle. Wow!

Views as we head uphill

Cwm Crew

Corn Du and views behind

Onwards we walked down and up to Cribyn which was my favourite of the three tops. The view of Pen y Fan is most impressive from this angle.

On Pen y Fan

Pen y Fan from the ascent to Cribyn

Down again we went and didn't do Fan y Big this time, if only to give us a reason to come back one day. Instead we enjoyed the walk back to the car park, smiling. After only 4 hrs we were back at the car having done just under 10 miles. Nice wee walk that one!!! Would love to do it in winter.

The Beacons are right on my doorstep and every time I'm there, I marvel at their unique landscape. Without the grandeur of their brothers and sisters up in Snowdonia they are still fine mountains and
I can't wait to go back there.

4 hrs, 9 miles, 3200ft elevation gain. Not bad.