Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk makes a circuit from the Neuadd car park round the head of the Taf Fechan, past the site of the drained Neuadd reservoirs. It climbs west onto the ridge at Twyn Mwyalchod (642 m) and follows it north over Craig Gwaun Taf (826 m) to Corn Du (872 m) and Pen y Fan (886 m). Then it crosses Cribyn (794 m) to Fan y Big (717 m), whose "diving board" juts over Cwm Oergwm, and comes down the east side by the Gap road, an old route across the range once thought Roman.
It is 14.8 km with 804 m of ascent; allow about 6 hours. The grade is Hard: a long day on high, open ground with four main climbs.
The north sides of the tops fall steeply, so keep back from the edges in wind and mist. Carry a map and compass, check the mountain forecast and be ready to turn back. In winter the ridge holds snow and ice and needs an ice axe, crampons and experience.
The Neuadd car park is free. There is a mapped spring on the way down from Cribyn. Merthyr Tydfil station is about 11 km away in a straight line.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Four summits round the head of the Taf Fechan: Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big
- Fan y Big has the 'diving board', a rock jutting over Cwm Oergwm
- Back by the Gap road, an old route across the range once thought Roman
- Passes the site of the drained Neuadd reservoirs
Summits on the way
- Twyn Mwyalchod 642 m · passed close by
- Cefn Cul 740 m · passed close by
- Rhiw yr Ysgyfarnog 736 m · passed close by
- Craig Gwaun Taf [Duwynt] 826 m · passed close by
- Corn Du 872 m
- Pen y Fan 886 m
- Cribyn 794 m
- Fan y Big 717 m
Getting there
Start: Neuadd car park · Free parking. 51.84362, -3.39952
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Merthyr Tydfil: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
