Climbed up Pen y Fan yesterday and had an exhausting but lovely time…read more ~ NOTES: 1) There's several trails up this peak to satisfy beginners and experienced hikers alike, so if you're an experienced hiker, don't get immediately turned off when you hear about kids also going up Pen y Fan. 2) In a similar vein, if you're a beginner, don't get turned off when you hear that the SAS also train in the Brecon Beacons! There's plenty of easier trails that are more than manageable! --- ~ Scenery: Hiking up Pen y Fan was filled with some spectacular scenery of lakes nearby and towns below. There seemed to be a photo opportunity every 100 steps! There's also plenty of sheep along the trails for you to spot some of the local animals. If you're interested in being closer to nature and taking in some spectacular sights, Pen y Fan definitely ticks that box. ~ Safety: I would say this is generally a safe hike, although of course you should take extra precautions to be careful. There are well made footpaths, but due to train it could get slippery so take care and make sure you bring shoes that have decent grip. --- One thing I loved about this hike is the camaraderie you feel with all the others hiking. We've had pleasant conversations with plenty of strangers, cheering each other on. It's definitely a memorable experience. It's also a great starting point if you're just getting into hiking. I dragged my partner here and he's never hiked before, but he ended up loving it after we've done despite the aches and pains!

Like a beautiful woman this mountain will seduce you. Pen y Fan is a stunning mountain and it is…read morealso the highest in South Wales. But beware she is not only beautiful but hard, the military use this mountain for training! Bring proper walking boots, water, water proofs, a camera, a flask of something hot, flapjacks and check the weather before you leave. Choose a clear day if you can and snap away. I love walking the horseshoe ridge, getting red in the face scrambling on the way up and then sitting triumphant at the top with a well earned flask of tea. Tip: Do not attempt to climb Pen y Fan in bad weather, there are big drops that can be hidden in the clouds. Tip top: According to my outdoor instructor fella, from sea level to the top of Pen y Fan there is a 9 degree difference. Translated that means wrap up warm even if you feel warm before you set off!

Ystradfellte is the Brecon Beacon's Waterfall country and its also were I grew up so its a place I…read moreknow well and love very much. Its a place that a lot of people in Wales know of just because of the fall and the caving complexes. The most famous of the waters is Sgwd Y Eira. If you have seen the advertising posters for Brecon Water this is the waterfall in the picture. Its a fairly easy walk apart from the steps as you get near and its one of very few waterfalls that you can actually walk underneath, though do expect to get sprayed a bit. I personally prefer some of the walks around the other falls which are much quieter in the summer and offer refreshing pools to swim in or picnic by. In all my years of living here I have never got bored of walking the area, its different all the time. Just a note to vistors the two main car parks charge a daily fee and a national parks ranger goes between them. If you want to avoid the fee park in the village itself and walk a bit further, tempting as it may be to pull up on the verges near the car parks I have seen so many break in's that you really are risking it a bit.