The Black Mountain, Brecon Beacons

Today we walked to the top of the Black Mountain which is to the west of the Brecon Beacons National Park and should not be confused with the Black Mountains in the east of the same Park. Rising to 802 metres (2631 ft) Fan Brycheiniog the summit of the Black Mountain is the third highest top in South Wales. It is a great walk only 35 minutes drive from where we live. The weather was crisp and bright (mostly!). It is approximately 9.5 miles and we have included the details of the walk below.

 

View from The Ridge of the Black Mountain
View from The Ridge of the Black Mountain

 

Black Mountain Walk Map
Black Mountain Walk Map

To view this walk in Google Earth click here.

To reach the start of the walk leave the A40(T) at Trecastle and head south west to Llanddeusant. Then follow the signs to Llyn y Fan Fach. The road turns into a track which turns right over a cattle grid just before the water works/trout farm, proceed along the side of the river and park on the grass verge just by the information sign. (Grid ref. SN 798238). Walk along the track through the valley past the old water installation that is, I think, now a trout farm. As you walk up along the cascading waterfalls views of the cliffs of Bannau Sir Gaer appear ahead. Follow the main track to the right, turning up hill when you reach the resevoir. You follow the track up as it makes it’s way around the western side of Llyn Y Fan Fach and up to the top of the cliffs.When you get to the western side of the lake and almost to the top of the cliffs it is worth stoping to enjoy the view. Below is the lake, Lyn y Fan Fach, while stretching off into the distance are the cliffs of Bannau Sir Gaer with Fan Foel stretching out to the north.

It is now a case of following the ups and downs and in and outs of the cliffs until you reach the trig point on Fan Brycheiniog, the top of the Black Mountain. Below the cliff is another small lake Llyn Y Fan Fawr. This is another good spot to stop and admire the excellent views, especially towards the Brecon Beacons in the east. At this point there are several options for you to choose from for the return. You may prefer to retrace your footsteps and return to your car following the route you walked out on. Or you may choose to carry on a bit further along the cliffs to the “Staircase” which descends the cliffs to the southern shore of the lake. You can then follow the base of the cliffs (this can be boggy) back to Llyn Y Fan Fach.

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