Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the car park at the entrance to the Craig Cerrig-gleisiad national nature reserve on the A470. A path goes in through the gate into the cwm under the cliffs, climbs to a viewpoint, and goes on up to the rim of the crag, 629 m, where it meets the Beacons Way. It comes down by a different path to the road. The cliffs hold arctic-alpine plants such as purple saxifrage and green spleenwort, at the southern edge of their range in Britain.
It is 4.4 km with 346 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Moderate.
The paths are steep and rocky in places and not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. The cliffs are high, and the rim is exposed to wind and often in cloud: take a map and compass in poor weather. Sheep graze the reserve, so keep dogs on a lead, and stay on the paths: the plants on the ledges are fragile.
Parking is at the reserve entrance on the A470: the OpenStreetMap car park shows no fee. The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Visitor Centre, with toilets and a café, is a short drive up the road.
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
- The cliffs of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad are a national nature reserve for their arctic-alpine plants
- Purple saxifrage and green spleenwort grow on the rock ledges, at the southern end of their range in Britain
- The top of the crag is 629 m, and the reserve's paths are steep and rocky
- The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park's Visitor Centre, with toilets and a café, is a short drive up the road
Summits on the way
- Craig Cerrig-gleisiad 629 m
Getting there
Start: Craig Cerrig-gleisiad nature reserve car park, A470 · Free parking. 51.88924, -3.49617
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Craig Cerrig-gleisiad nature reserve car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
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 is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
