Pen y Fan
Brecon, United Kingdom
The highest summit in southern Britain, climbed on a clear path from the Pont ar Daf car park, with long views over the Brecon Beacons ridges. Start early, check the forecast and carry layers, as the weather changes fast on the top.
Pen y Fan stands 886 m high and is the highest summit in South Wales, in Brecon Beacons National Park; it is looked after by the National Trust. The most popular route starts at the Pont ar Daf car park, which has room for about 200 vehicles after an extension (as of October 2026). The path first climbs Corn Du (873 m) and then continues to the summit; the round trip is about 6.5 km (4 miles), and most walkers take around three hours. A Bronze Age cairn stands on the summit. On a clear day the view reaches the Bristol Channel and the Gower Peninsula.
The path is busy and well worn, but steep. The weather can turn, so wear weatherproof clothing and check the forecast. If you want quiet, choose one of the longer routes, for example via Cwm Gwdi.
- Nearest town
- Brecon, United Kingdom
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 51.8715, -3.4533
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Aberbran Fawr CampsiteMotorhome stopover9 km from Pen y FanTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToilets
- Pencelli CastleCampsite11 km from Pen y FanTentsDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Talybont Farm CampingCampsite12 km from Pen y FanTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Llangorse Multi Activity Centre CampsiteCampsite16 km from Pen y FanTentsDrinking waterShowersToiletsNo dogsWi-Fi
- Cwmdu CampsiteCampsite18 km from Pen y FanTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Riverside Caravan ParkCampsite21 km from Pen y Fan · 25 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
All campsites in United Kingdom · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Pen y Fan?
Pen y Fan is in Brecon, United Kingdom, at GPS 51.8715, -3.4533. It is about 22 km from Crickhowell.
Can you camp near Pen y Fan?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Cwm-llwch, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 42 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Pen y Fan?
Places worth a stop nearby: Hay-on-Wye (32 km), Three Cliffs Bay (56 km), Rhossili Bay (67 km) and Valley of Rocks (76 km).
When is the best time to visit Pen y Fan?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)