Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Brecon Beacons
Newbridge-
on-Wye
Newbridge-
on-Wye
Tregaron
Tregaron
0
10 mi
A470
0
10 km
CEREDIGION
CEREDIGION
Treflys
Treflys
Builth Wells
Builth Wells
Llangammarch
Wells
Llangammarch
Wells
A438
A483
Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye
POWYS
POWYS
A470
E N G LA N D
ENGLAND
M y n y d d
E p p y n t
Mynydd
Eppynt
Honddu
Isaf
Honddu
Isaf
B l a c k
M o u n t a i n s
Black
Mountains
18
Llandovery
Llandovery
Talgarth
Talgarth
A40
Usk
Res.
Usk
Res.
Llanthony
Priory
Llanthony
Priory
Brecon
Brecon
Llangorse
Lake
Llangorse
Lake
A40
Sennybridge
Sennybridge
CARMARTHENSHIRE
CARMARTHENSHIRE
A470
A40
Pen y Fan
Pen y Fan
Mynydd Du
Mynydd Du
Carreg Cennen
Castle
Carreg Cennen
Castle
Crickhowell
Crickhowell
Brecon Beacons
National Park
Brecon Beacons
National Park
Fforest Fawr
Fforest Fawr
A40
National Showcaves
of Wales
National Showcaves
of Wales
Pontsticill
Res.
Pontsticill
Res.
Abergavenny
Abergavenny
Abercraf
Abercraf
A470
MONMOUTH-
SHIRE
MONMOUTH-
SHIRE
Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale
Penderyn
Distillery
Penderyn
Distillery
Waterfall
Woods
Waterfall
Woods
BLAENAU
GWENT
BLAENAU
GWENT
Ystradgynlais
Ystradgynlais
A465
Blaenavon
Blaenavon
Tredegar
Tredegar
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil
Glyn Heath
Glyn Heath
Abertillery
Abertillery
Hirwaun
Hirwaun
A465
MERTHYR
TYDFIL
MERTHYR
TYDFIL
TORFAEN
TORFAEN
Aberdare
Aberdare
NEATH
PORT TALBOT
NEATH
PORT TALBOT
Pontypool
Pontypool
SWANSEA
SWANSEA
Cwmbran
Cwmbran
Neath
Neath
CAERPHILLY
CAERPHILLY
Treorchy
Treorchy
RHONDDA
CYNON TAF
RHONDDA
CYNON TAF
Swansea
Swansea
Hengoed
Hengoed
Maesteg
Maesteg
A470
M4
Newport
Newport
BRIDGEND
BRIDGEND
Caerphilly
Caerphilly
Port Talbot
Port Talbot
M4
Brecon Beacons National Park
NATIONAL PARK Start at the
National Park Visitor Centre
(
&
01874/623366;
www.breconbeacons.org), a
few miles south of Brecon on the A470 at Libanus. It's an attraction in itself with a
3-D model of the area to help you get your bearings and remind you of the importance
of getting a map if you're heading into the hills. There's a cafe with a Taste of Wales
menu, a picnic area (with views of Pen y Fan), and walks on Mynydd Illtyd Common.
The center is open year-round daily from 9am to 6pm (July-Aug), to 5:30pm (May-
June), to 5pm (Mar-Apr and Sept-Oct), and to 4:30pm (Nov-Feb). There are also
visitor centers in other towns.
While it's not a National Park in the same way as you'd find them in the U.S. (an
area of wilderness with few developments), the 519 sq. miles of landscape is controlled
and access is encouraged, although, if you didn't know you'd say it was simply an area
of awe-inspiring countryside. Just driving through the scenery is a treat. Narrow, wind-
ing roads dip down beside rivers and then head up and over treeless ridges. Walking,
however, gets you into the heart of things, and there are trails for all abilities. Note that
it can be a harsh environment with weather changing quickly, so take care. A good way
to explore is to sign up for one of the guided walks run by the Park authority.
