Brecon Beacons & Southeast Wales - Wales - page 222

Information
National Park Visitor Centre ( 01874-623366; www.breconbeacons.org ; Libanus; 9.30am-5pm) Set high
on a ridge with fine views of Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du is the park's main visitor centre,
with full details of walks, hiking and biking trails, outdoor activities, wildlife and geology.
It has easy wheelchair access, as well as a book and gift shop, a tearoom and picnic tables.
During school holidays there are kids' activities, organised farm visits, guided walks and
themed minibus tours.
The centre is off the A470 road, 5 miles southwest of Brecon and 15 miles north of
Merthyr Tydfil. Some of the Beacons Buses stop here; otherwise, any of the buses on the
Merthyr Tydfil-Brecon route stop at Libanus village, a 1.25-mile walk away.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Fforest Fawr & Black Mountain
West of the A470, this entire half of the national park is sparsely inhabited, without any
towns of note. Fforest Fawr (Great Forest), once a Norman hunting ground, is now a Unesco
geopark famous for its varied landscapes, ranging from bleak moorland to flower-flecked
limestone pavement and lush wooded ravines choked with moss and greenery. Rather con-
fusingly, the Black Mountain is the collective name for the range of barren peaks. Carreg
Cennen castle, in the far southwestern corner of the national park, is a wonderful place to
explore; the easiest approach is from Llandeilo.
STARGAZING IN THE BRECON BEACONS
In 2013 the Brecon Beacons became only the fifth place in the world to win dark sky status. The Brecon Beacons
Park Society and the National Park Authority combined forces to campaign for the rare accolade, with the help of
the community: Talybont-on-Usk staged a light switch off and star party.
Light pollution is now closely monitored in the region, which is one of the UK's best for stargazing. Meteor
showers, nebula, strings of constellations and even the Milky Way can be seen in the night sky above the national
park. Visitor centres throughout the park can give you information about the stargazing events held year-round, or
see www.breconbeacons.org .
Sights & Activities
The Forestry Commission's Garwnant Visitor Centre ( 01685-723060; www.forestry.gov.uk/garwnant ;
10am-5pm) , at the head of Llwyn Onn Reservoir (5 miles north of Merthyr on the A470),