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Hiking trails & Routes

Pen y Fan, Cribyn & Fan y Big loop from Storey Arms — Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Pen y Fan, Cribyn & Fan y Big loop from Storey Arms — Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

Hard

4.8

(332)

1,930

hikers

Pen y Fan, Cribyn & Fan y Big loop from Storey Arms — Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

08:16

25.0km

1,110m

Hiking

Embark on a challenging 15.5-mile (25.0 km) hike through the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, tackling the iconic peaks of Pen y Fan, Cribyn, and Fan y Big. This difficult route involves a significant 3658 feet (1115 metres) of elevation gain, with rocky paths and multiple steep climbs and descents, including the famous "Jacob's Ladder." You will experience dramatic panoramic views from the summits, especially from Cribyn, looking out towards Pen y Fan's steep eastern flank and the distant Bristol Channel on clear days. The distinctive "diving board" at Fan y Big offers a memorable photo opportunity.

This loop typically takes around 8 hours and 16 minutes to complete, requiring very good fitness and sure-footedness. The trail starts from Storey Arms, a well-known access point for the central Brecon Beacons. Be prepared for varied terrain that can be muddy after rain, and ensure you wear sturdy shoes. While the main path to Pen y Fan can be busy, extending your hike to include Cribyn and Fan y Big often provides a less crowded experience on these sections.

The Pen y Fan, Cribyn & Fan y Big loop is a classic component of the

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

80 m

Storey Arms – Start of the Pen y Fan Trail

Highlight • Rest Area

People don't realise how special this location is. This is the start of the famed Fan Dance. A load-bearing 24km, non-navigational, endurance test. The SAS pioneered it as part of their selection process, and it has become a personal test for most fitness junkies these days. The route takes you from here to Pen Y Fan, then descends down the steep terrain of 'Jacob's Ladder' to the Roman Road, which takes you down past the reservoir into a car park at Torpantau Forestry. Then you simply about turn, and come back the other way. Oh, yes, you're carrying 35kg, and you have to do it in less than four hours.

Tip by

1.47 km

Rhyd-y-Defaid Stepping Stones

Highlight • Bridge

It descends to cross the Blaen Taf Fawr, where you have to ford the stream using stepping stones. This is one of the earliest forms of crossing bodies of water devised by humans. No specific hazards, but it’s still a ford and you’ll need to know what you’re doing, especially after heavy rainfall.

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3.61 km

Pen y Fan

Highlight • Summit

Chief of the Brecon Beacons and the highest summit in south Wales, Pen y Fan is a hugely popular peak with routes to the top to suit everyone from first time day-trippers to potential SAS commandos. Red sandstone creates its unmistakable layered profile and gives hue to the Bronze Age cairn that tops the summit.

Tip by

5.02 km

Cribyn Summit

Highlight • Summit

At 2,608 feet (795 m), the summit of Cribyn boasts bold and dramatic views over Pen-y-Fan, looking towards the steep cliff that forms its eastern flank. When the weather is clear, the views to the north are especially impressive too, towards Mynydd Epynt, Brecon and the Cambrian mountains beyond.

Tip by

6.83 km

Fan y Bîg Summit and Diving Board

Highlight • Summit

The Diving Board on Fan y Big is one of the most photographed locations in the Brecon Beacons. The views over towards Cribyn and Pen Y Fan are super good, as are the views down towards the Gap. It is great to come up here on a winter weekday, when it is a bit quieter too. It is also a very popular spot for your sunrise and sunset shots. It is easier than it looks to get here, and it doesn't matter which way you come up; the effort is absolutely well worth it.

Tip by

9.90 km

Bwlch y Ddwyallt

Highlight • Viewpoint

Bwlch y Ddwyallt is a nondescript peak marked by a small cairn. Don't confuse it with another larger cairn nearby. However the views from this escarpment looking across towards Fan Y Big, Cribyn, Pen Y Fan and Corn Du are superb. On a good day I have seen inversion clouds tumbling over this escarpment like a waterfall. It is a bit of a slog to get here but well worth your while.

Tip by

11.8 km

Caerfanell Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

Nice spot for a break before the descent to the larger waterfalls by Blaen y Glyn Uchaf

Tip by

19.3 km

View of Pen y Fan

Highlight • Trail

One of the best views if the saddle between the two tops.

Tip by

25.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.62 km

8.48 km

5.92 km

616 m

324 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

14.7 km

2.77 km

2.49 km

2.24 km

2.13 km

615 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (850 m)

Lowest point (390 m)

Weather

Saturday 18 July

23°C

10°C

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Comments

September 24, 2022,Extended Brecon Beacons Horseshoe - Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn etc..

Please ignore time/speed - Komoot has incorrectly imported this data. Overall time for this hike was 8hrs 29mins

October 9, 2021,Pen y Fan – Walking above the clouds Loop from Torpantau

Battery ran out so recording finished! To finish the walk we went over the waterfall by the infinity pool,, and followed the road for Taff Trail,, this led up straight back to the car park

October 8, 2023,[ Wales | South Powys ] The ✪ Pen y Fan ✪ Horseshoe Ridge | ✪ Brecon Beacons ✪ National Park

The ✪ WalesTales continued.

Da waren wir also wieder. Im ✪ Land der Kelten, im kleinsten Landesteil der Insel ✪ Großbritannien. Dort wo weniger Menschen als in Berlin leben und dort wo weit über ✪ 10 Millionen Schafe dafür sorgen, dass die schier endlos erscheinende ✪ Bilderbuchlandschaft stets lockige, weiße Flecken hat.

August 9, 2024,The classic four peaks in Brecon Beacons

Phenomenally beautiful walk in the heart of the Brecon Beacons: the classic 4-peaks walk. Over the Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Crybin and Fan y Big. The route runs over at least 4 more peaks, but they seem to be less important in this story and apparently count for less 😏. The walk is also called the horseshoe walk. The …

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June 15, 2022,My Favourite Hike: The Big Beacons Horseshoe

“I simply love coming home to the Brecon Beacons,” says Craig Taylor. “It doesn’t matter where I’ve been or how long I’ve been away, the beauty of the place continues to surprise me. The diversity of the landscape and the breathtaking views make for an unforgettable day – every time I come back.”