Would you like to explore the best of the Brecon Beacons? This guidebook covers 15 of the best short walks in the area (between 4 and 9km), including Henrhyd Falls, Pen y Fan, Table Mountain, Sugar Loaf, Craig y Cilau and Ysgyryd Fawr.

Why choose this guidebook?

• Walks under three hours, plus one challenge route
• Easy to follow with clear route descriptions
• Facilities, parking and highlights for every route
• No specialist gear needed, walk all year round
• Ordnance Survey mapping

Cicerone’s Short Walks guidebooks contain everything you need to get outdoors and discover the best of an area. The routes are perfect if you’re new to walking or looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. Let the adventures begin!

Location of walks 

Map key 

Using this guide 

Route summary table 

Introduction 

Walking in Bannau Brycheiniog 

Things to see 

Things to do 

Where to stay 

Travel 

The walks 

Walk 1 Henrhyd Falls 

Walk 2 Waterfall Country: Elidir Trail 

Walk 3 Waterfall Country: Four Waterfalls Walk 

Walk 4 Craig Cerrig-gleisiad 

Walk 5 Pen y Fan 

Walk 6 Llyn Cwm Llwch 

Walk 7 Cwm Sere 

Walk 8 Blaen-y-glyn waterfalls 

Walk 9 Pencelli canal walk 

Walk 10 Canal, Usk Valley and Afon Caerfanell 

Walk 11 River Usk, canal and Llangynidr Bridge 

Walk 12 Craig y Cilau 

Walk 13 Table Mountain 

Walk 14 Sugar Loaf 

Walk 15 Ysgyryd Fawr (Skirrid Mountain) 

Useful information

Seasons

Spring is the time to see the rich colours of flowering plants, and autumn provides a display of flaming oranges and reds as the deciduous trees prepare to shed their leaves.

Centres

The major towns of Brecon , Crickhowell and Abergavenny all lie along the Usk Valley.

Difficulty

Routes along the canal, waterfalls and river valleys are mostly flat, whereas the mountain walks contain some steep sections. Navigation is straightforward, with all routes following well-marked pathways.

Must See

waterfalls that you can walk behind; glacial U-shaped valleys; tranquil rivers and canals; aromatic wooded valleys with carpets of bluebells; a haunted pub; panoramic mountain views

July 2025

Walk 11

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