Explore Top 10 Amazing Highest Mountains In The Brecon Beacons

It is human instinct to love and explore nature. We admire beautiful lush greenery, sunset points, landmarks, and, most importantly, hiking the summit. Our dopamine level increases in our DNA as we see a lovely sight; as a solo traveller, I enjoy beautiful surroundings, unique views, picturesque scenery, and much more. During my travels to the Welsh places, I wanted the tallest peaks in Wales.

At my first summit of Pen Y Fan, I needed to conquer more mountains; believe it or not, I reached the peaks of numerous mountains. Brecon Beacons is one such place that I liked the most and known because of its mountain ranges. Do you also want to know about our entertaining journey to these beautiful summits? You will learn briefly about the highest mountains in the Brecon Beacons, their height, accessibility, activities, and much more.

Know about Brecon Beacons In Welsh

It is also called Bannau Brycheiniog and is known because of its mountain ranges in Wales.

Pen Y Fan is one of South Wales’ highest mountains, followed by Corn Du and Craig Gwaun Taf. These are the top three highest points in Wales, United Kingdom.
Black Mountain is one of the peaks in the Black Mountains range. The area is also home to a UNESCO Global Geopark.
The Central Beacons, Fforest Fawr, Black Mountain, and Brecon Beacons are the four regions that are covered.

An interesting thing about it is that old red sandstone makes up the Brecons Mountains.

List Of The Biggest Mountains In Wales

Biggest Mountains In Wales	Height Of Biggest Peaks
Pen Y Fan	886m
Corn Du	871 m
Craig Gwaun Taf	826m
Waun Fach	811m
Fan Brycheiniog	802m
Pen Y Gadair Fawr	800m
Cribyn	795m
Waun Rydd	769m
Fan Hir	760m
Gwaun Cerrig Llwydion	754m
Picws Du	749m
Fan Fawr	734m
Fan Gyhirych	725m
Pen Allt Mawr	719m
Fan Y Big	716m
Rhos Dirion	713m
Black Mountain	703m
Pen Cerrig-calch	701m
Twmpa	690m
Chwarel y Fan	679m
Waun Lefrith	677m
Fan Fraith	668m
Fan Nedd	663m
Mynydd Llysiau	663m
Pen Twyn Mawr	658m
Allt Lwyd	654m
Pen Twyn Glas	646m
Garreg Las	635m
Fan Lia	631m
Craig Cerrig-Gleisiad	629m
Fan Frynych	628m
Y Gyrn	619m
Cefn Yr Ystrad	617m
Moel Gornach	616m

Hiking The Wales Tallest Mountains

Let me simplify the information regarding these Brecon Beacons’ tallest mountains.

1. Pen Y Fan

It is pronounced as Pen-er-van.
Its meaning is Top peak.
Its height is 886 meters.

Pen Y Fan is the tallest and highest place in Wales. Being the tallest peak, its height is almost 886 meters. The ancient Bronze Age cairn was the feature that most astounded me. I enjoyed the captivating scenery down the Gower Peninsula, Wales Black Mountains, and the Bristol Channel. It’s worth the effort to climb any of these trails. There are various ways to the summit, each with varying degrees of difficulty. The most popular and busiest among them is Pont Ar Daf. Some other options include Cambrian Way, Taff Trail, and routes from Cwm Gwdi.

2. Corn Du

It is pronounced as Korn-dee.
Its meaning is Black Horn.
Its height is 871m.

After I reached the summit of Pen Y Fan, everyone there was so happy, and their next destination was near the Pen Y Fan mountain Brecon. We tried this summit during our hike to the top peak. Although it is a flat top, it is a worthwhile place. The hill has a lofty peak, and being a part of the twin mountains, the scenery can be seen from miles away. You can get there by the motorway route of Pont Ar Daf, which is the simplest way. There are two other routes known as Storey Arms Route and Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge Walk. These routes are steeper and more challenging.

3. Cribyn

It is pronounced as Kree-bin.
Its meaning is Little Ridge.
Its height is 795m.

Along the Pen Y Fan Horseshoe is another mountain with a steep ascent. It is one of the Brecon Beacons’ third-highest mountains. You may take in some of the most breathtaking views of the region once you reach the summit. Besides this, you can also make beautiful snaps after reaching the summit. There are several hiking pathways leading to the mountain. These routes are the Pen y Fan Horseshoe Ridge, the Pen y Fan & Cribyn loop, and the Corn Du – Pen y Fan loop. You can go from the route that is easily accessible and according to your comfort.

4. Craig Gwaun Taf

It is pronounced as Bwlch Duwynt: Boo-l-ch dew-ant.
Its meaning is Windy Pass.
Its height is 826 meters.

If you’re intending to walk Pen Y Fan, you should know that another peak is close. Craig Gwaun Taf ranks among the highest points in the Brecon Beacons. It is just 760m from the Corn Du. Despite being higher than Cribyn, it is not ranked as the third-highest peak due to its low prominence. Duwynt is the name given to the ridge near Pen Y Fan and Corn Du. It is advised to explore this rewarding point on the popular ridge walk.

5. Waun Fach

It is pronounced as Wine Var-ch.
Its meaning is Small moor.
Its height is 811 meters.

It is also the highest peak and included among the Wales black mountains of the east. Among all over Wales, it is the 40th highest peak. The best thing about it is that once you reach the summit, you will get the beautiful views of black mountain region.

Here, I would recommend trying this hike from the circular loop. It starts with Pengenffordd that takes you to the Dragon’s Back ridge. As compared to Pen Y Fan, it is flat and boggy. The total time that it will take is almost 5-6 hours. It is my personal advice to the hikers to bring a map or GPS because of less defined routes.

6. Fan Brycheiniog

It is pronounced as Van Brih-chein-ee-og.
Its meaning is (King) Brychan’s Peak.
Its height is 802 meters.

It is also included among the Black Mountain range of Brecon Beacons. It is a part of a beautiful ridge walk along the Carmenthon Fans. The thing that I experienced here is that it is quieter than central Brecons but equally beautiful and scenic. I also found a photo stop, a lovely lake just below the summit, Llyn y Fan Fawr. The fairly difficult Llyn y Fan Horseshoe walking route is the best option. It is one of the highest mountains in the Brecon Beacons, with panoramic vistas, magnificent lakes, and a peak.

7. Pen Y Gadair Fawr

It is pronounced as Pen er Kad-ayer Va-oor.
Its meaning is Top of the Big Chair.
Its height is 800m.

It is also located in the Black Mountains and is the second-highest peak of that mountain range. It is just behind the Waun Fach and also includes the ridge walk. Reaching the summit, you will see that the top is open and spacious with a Stone Cairn.

Some of the best sights I have seen are English borderland, Waun Fach, and Pen Allt Mawr. Because of its calm atmosphere and rarity of visitors, this place is a must-visit for a person seeking wildlife and tranquility. Proper hiking boots, maps or GPS, and regular weather checks should be present in the equipment list before proceeding.

8. Waun Rydd

It is pronounced as Wine Rheeth.
Its meaning is Free or red moor.
Its height is 769m.

The mountain is at the eastern edge of the Central Brecons. It is a large, peaty plateau. A worthwhile claim to make is that one should explore local scenery and open skies. Among the vistas I saw were those of the Ebbw Valley, Talybont Reservoir, and the Black Mountains. To find routes in the fog, one needs a map or GPS.

9. Fan Hir

It is pronounced as Van Hee-r.
Its meaning is a long peak.
Its height is 760m.

It is an elegant and long escarpment ridge. Being located in the Black Mountain ridge, it is a Southern neighbour of the Fan Brycheiniog. It is typically the part of Llyn y Fan Horseshoe, its standard hiking route. You can also go to the summit following the shorter walk and lay-bys on Heol Lan. The terrain I experienced here includes open ridge, steep sections, and boggy patches. It is an exposed and remote place where the weather changes quickly. Therefore, it is better to prepare everything while going to the summit.

10. Gwaun Cerrig Llwydion

It is pronounced as Bwlch y Ddwyallt: Boo-l-ch er Thoi-that.
Its meaning is Pass of the two hillsides.
Its height is 754m.

It is a broad plateau covered in grass and peat bogs. The nearby peaks include Fan Fawr and Fan Frynych. I saw and experienced rocky cliffs, unique Arctic alpine vegetation, and upland birds. I got there by following the Storey Arms parking lot on the A470. I believe this location is great for nature enthusiasts and animal adventurers.

Keep In Mind These Essential Hiking Tips

According to my experience, I felt it necessary to share some important tips for beginners or new hikers.

Bring the navigation tools like GPS devices or offline maps to stay on the right route and prevent from losing the way.
It is better to pack the essentials strategically, because the weather at such places is unpredictable.
Make sure you have the hiking boots and an additional pair in your backpack for smooth walking and prevent any inconvenience.
Ensure you dress up properly and according to the weather of that time. It is better to keep layered clothing to stay warm.
It is my personal and most important advice to tell someone behind where you are going because these mountains are far and the weather there is unpredictable.
Most of the time, routes are unmarked. Therefore, it is advised not to rely on the signposts.
If you feel the weather changes or the weather feels bad, you are advised to turn back as soon as possible.

Final Reviews On Highest Peaks In Brecon Beacons

The mountain range reaches as far south as Wales. It has several summits of different heights and elevations. Pen Y Fan is the first of the Brecon Beacons’ tallest mountains. Almost 34 mountains are here with different heights. Depending on your preferences, you may explore the top three or any other.

There are a few more hills and peaks to explore here, but they aren’t mountains. If you plan to climb any of these summits, it’s best to be aware of the routes and important suggestions to avoid any unexpected challenges.

FAQ'S

Which mountain in the Brecon Beacons is especially high?

It is 886 meters tall and is called Pen Y Fan.

What are the Brecon Beacon’s three highest peaks?

Pen Y Fan, Corn Du, and Cribyn are the top three hills.

What is the reason Bannau Brycheiniog is famous?

The area is well-known for its breathtaking scenery, expansive skies, and numerous mountains and lakes.

Ella Harrison

Hi, I am a traveling enthusiast. I have explored more than 18 countries. I have been curious about exploring the world since I was a kid. My search for hidden gems helped me immerse myself in the new cultures. Now, my current motive is to share stories about places that can inspire people to experience an adventurous journey. Throughout my exploration, the thing I enjoyed most was hiking in the UK’s places like Chepstow, Wales. I have experienced the vibrant cities and local flavors of different places. Join me and experience unforgettable adventures.

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