Across the Rooftops of the Brecon Beacons National Park

The Beacons Way is an outstanding walking holiday in Wales, its untamed mountain scenery a favourite among walkers. Its distinctive tall escarpments encircle scooped out glacial valleys where everything is on such a dizzying scale – meaning there is lots to discover.

Highlights
  • Discover the best of the National Park with a dedicated route
  • See evidence of prehistoric and Roman settlement in the region
  • Take in incredible views from some of the highest peaks in the south of Britain
  • Stumble upon natural lakes and waterfalls hidden in the hills and valleys
  • Return to a warm welcome after a hard days walk in the charming villages along the way
  • Castles, churches and priories are history made manifest on your walk
  • Find peace of mind in a landscape that has been kept wild, unmarked and open
  • 9 nights
  • 93 mls (view km)
  • Abergavenny, South Wales
  • Moderate to Challenging
  • Mar to Oct
  • £805

 Walking the Beacons Way

The Beacons Way is 93 miles (149km) of mountain walking holiday through the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. Walking what is known as the ‘high route' across South Wales, it is the ideal landscape for unspoilt beauty and refreshing solitude.

Beginning near Abergavenny, at Ysgyryd Fawr (also known as the Holy Mountain), the walk takes you in a snake-like fashion from the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park to the western boundary. The route was designed to pass through the most thrilling, hidden and wild areas of this beautiful park, highlighting its most beautiful landscapes. The walk ends in Llangadog, passing through Bethlehem on the final day  - where the little village post office does a roaring trade in Christmas cards during December.

Your walk takes you over the Black Mountains in the east, the Central Beacons including Pen-y-Fan (886 metres (2,907 ft) and the highest point in Southern Britain,), and the Black Mountain in the west. The Beacons Way route undulates through little towns and hamlets, where the weary traveller is always welcome to Welsh hospitality. You pass Celtic hill forts, medieval priories and castles, mountain lakes and reservoirs. At the end of the day, you may find a local pub serving a welcome pint of Welsh beer - a well-earned reward.

Planning Your Walking Holidays in Brecon

The Beacons Way is a trail best suited for experienced and fit walkers and good compass and map-reading skills are essential. This is particularly important as there can be sudden weather changes on high-level routes, and orientation can prove difficult as a result.

Our team would be delighted to talk to you about an itinerary for a walking holiday on the Beacons Way. Please call or email us for further details, using the contact information below.

Celtic Trails is the most experienced walking company in Wales. We are based on the edge of the National Park and our local knowledge is second to none.

Path Walkthrough

Beacons Way walk map
Our Brecon Beacons walking route takes you through the National Park from Abergavenny to Llangadog

Beginning near the market town of Abergavenny, your route begins by ascending the summit of the Skirrid and meets part of the Offa’s Dyke path at another climb to Hatterrall Hill before descending to Llanthony Priory. Leaving Llanthony, the day begins with a steep ascent along Cwm Bwchal, onto Bâl Bach and a slow descent through fields into Crickhowell. The next day, to Llangynidr will offer fine views of Llangorse Lake from Cefn Moel before ending near the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal at Llangynidr.

The walk towards Storey Arms holds spectacular views along its most iconic landscape, but the climb from Blaen y glyn to Craig y Fan Ddu is particularly demanding. The route onwards toward Craig-y-nos meets open hills and moorland, before taking you to the highest point on the western side of the Brecon Beacons, Fan Brycheiniog, passing Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr. Walking to spectacular Carreg Cennen Castle will require strong navigational skills as the route is indistinct, but in contrast, the last day down to Bethlehem and on to Llangadog is arguably the easiest to navigate.

Walk Gallery

Descent from Cribyn
Views over Wales
Ystradfellte Falls
Fan-y-Big ascent
Pen Y Fan
Fan-y-Big with view to Cribyn and Sugarloaf
Llanthony Priory
View over Brecon Beacons National Park
Brecon Beacon's Landscape
Beacons Way Waymarker
Cribyn Peak
Llanthony
Llyn
Carreg Cennan Castle
Mountains and Mist in Pen y Fan
Beacons-National-Park-Beacons-Way
Llangorse-Lake-Beacons-Way
Foggy Welsh landscape
View of lake from ridge
Stream on Beacon's Way

Beacon's Way Walking Holiday Itineraries

Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing, single person supplements apply.

Abergavenny to Llangadog

Length: 93 miles/ 149.5 km | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Code
Duration
From
BW1a
9 Nights / 8 Days
£805 pp
View Itinerary

Abergavenny to Llangadog

9 Nights / 8 Days
Holiday Code: BW1a
From: £805 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £45 (pn)
Single occupancy (groups): £25 (pn)
Walk Itinerary  
Day 1:Arrive Abergavenny
Day 2:The Holy Mountain (Skirrid) to Llanthony10.6 miles/17km (697m of ascent)
Day 3:Llanthony to Crickhowell10 miles/16km (700m of ascent)
Day 4:Crickhowell to Llangynidr12 miles/19km (850m of ascent)
Day 5:Llangynidr to Storey Arms14.5 miles/23km (1300m of ascent)
Day 6:Storey Arms to Craig-y-nos14.5 miles/23km (750m of ascent)
Day 7:Craig-y-nos to Llanddeusant9 miles/14.5km (850m of ascent)
Day 8:Llanddeusant to Carreg Cennen12.5 miles/20km (800m of ascent
Day 9:Carreg Cennen to Llangadog
(via Bethlehem)		10 miles/16km (370m of ascent)
+1 mile to accommodation
Day 10:Depart Llangadog

Itinerary Information: 9 nights accommodation with 8 walking days. Arrive in Llangadog on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Abergavenny on morning of day 10.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

BW1b
9 Nights / 8 Days
£815 pp
View Itinerary

Abergavenny to Llangadog

9 Nights / 8 Days
Holiday Code: BW1b
From: £815 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £45 (pn)
Single occupancy (groups): £25 (pn)
DayLocationDistance
Day 1:Arrive Abergavenny
Day 2:The Holy Mountain (Skirrid) to Llanthony10.6 miles/17km (700m of ascent)
Day 3:Llanthony to Crickhowell10 miles/16km (700m of ascent)
Day 4:Crickhowell to Llangynidr12 miles/19km (850m of ascent)
Day 5:Blaen-y-Glyn to Storey Arms - Omit section of path with transfer from Llangynidr to Upper Blaen-y-Glyn7 miles/11.2km
Day 6:Storey Arms to Craig-y-nos14.5 miles/23km (750m of ascent)
Day 7:Craig-y-nos to Llanddeusant9 miles/14.5km (850m of ascent)
Day 8:Llanddeusant to Carreg Cennen12.5 miles/20km (800m of ascent)
Day 9:Carreg Cennen to Llangadog
(via Bethlehem)		10 miles/16km (370m of ascent)
+1 mile to accommodation
Day 10:Depart Llangadog

Itinerary Information: Reducing mileage for the long strenuous day climbing Craig y Fan Ddu, Fan y Big and Pen y Fan on Day 5..

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

This route has been developed as a result of 'Rights to Roam' legislation; consequently, there are parts of the trail that take you over unmarked areas. Therefore, excellent compass and map-reading skills are essential.  This is particularly important as the higher-level routes can experience sudden changes in weather and disorientation can be a problem.

The BW1b itinerary has been put together to reduce mileage for the long strenuous day climbing Craig y Fan Ddu, Fan y Big and Pen y Fan on Day 5.

  • What's Included?

    We include:

    • Good standard accommodation at a mixture of Guesthouses, Farmhouses, local Inns and B&B’s with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible,
    • Breakfast
    • Luggage transfers
    • Personal transfer between accommodation and path where necessary
    • Route planning
    • Walk Pack including OL 12 and OL 13 maps, Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation directions, local interest leaflets and holiday planning.

    Optional:

    If you wish to upgrade your overnight accommodation on occasion, we will be happy to arrange this wherever availability allows – prices to be advised.

  • Price Info.

    Solo walker supplement: £45 per night

    Single occupancy supplement within a group: £25 per night. Where singles are walking as part of a larger group and are willing to share a Walk Pack, single room occupancy supplements apply.

    Rest days: Please enquire.

    Postage overseas: £5.00 (Europe), £10.00 (Rest of the World) per walk pack

    Bank holidays & short notice bookings may incur extra charges.

    Please note that due to the rural nature of this walk personal transfers are required from the path at certain locations along the route. In such cases transfers between the path and your accommodation will be included in your holiday cost.

    Rest days: From £45 per person per night (From £52 in Brecon)

  • Getting There

    By Rail: Railways stations are located in Abergavenny, Llangadog and Llandovery.  The train journey from Llangadog back to Abergavenny is 3 – 3.75 hours.

    www.nationalrail.co.uk 

    By Bus: Bus stations are located in Abergavenny, Brecon and Llandovery

    www.traveline-cymru.info

    Alternatively, a taxi from Llangadog returning to Abergavenny will cost approximately £120.00

  • Best Time to Travel

    You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.  We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.  But please note that it is difficult to book one night stays in Brecon for a Friday or Saturday (accommodation is booked in Brecon on the night of your walk to Storey Arms). We would recommend that you choose your holiday dates with this in mind, or consider a rest day in Brecon.

    Weather conditions in mountainous areas can be changeable, packing a good mix of clothing is probably the best policy for dealing with changes in weather. There's a high chance of fog and what may feel like a gentle breeze on the day may be more difficult to contend with on the ascent.

    Average Rainfall Brecon                               Average Sunshine Brecon                                   Average Temperature Brecon

Client Reviews of Beacon's Way

Our past clients rated this walk 4.7 out of 5; read a selection of 5 reviews below.

The Beacons Way is a challenging but beautiful walk. The scenery is stunning, accommodation excellent and Celtic Trails organisation of the walk was flawless.

5 out of 5

April 2019

I felt stronger after the trip.

4 out of 5

June 2019

Walking experience: would have scored excellent but for the weather! Celtic Trails were attentive and efficient. We are regular trails walkers and Beacons Way was next on our list. We usually carry our own gear, but occasionally, as in this instance, accommodation adjacent to the route is scarce and taxi transfers needed, so easier to use your organisation. It was very nice not to have the extra weight on our backs! Beacons Way scenery is magnificent and though we had 2 very wet days, sunshine and views otherwise were great.

4.8 out of 5

June 2019

"A really enjoyable trail, but I was blessed with a period of fantastic weather for walking! Keen to experience the Fforest Fawr area in more challenging conditions to test out my navigational skills! Thanks again Nathan for booking & organising!"

5 out of 5

August 2016

"We think the standard of accommodation was definitely better than we have experienced with other trails. Contact with staff (Nathan) was excellent, probably the best we have had! Overall very pleased."

4.5 out of 5

June 2016

Leave your own review of your Beacons Way Walking Holiday with us here

Enquire About Beacons Way

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Booking Request - Beacons Way
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What Happens Next?

We will check your details and come back to you within two working days with a personalised estimate based on your requirements. We will then formally request a deposit of £100 per person (£150 for solo walkers) and book all your arrangements - find out about our full booking porcess here.

Please note this does not constitute a booking confirmation, we kindly ask you to refrain from booking any travel until we have confirmed all your arrangements.

Still Have Questions?

If you are still unsure on any of your requirements, please do enquire with us first and one of our friendly team will be happy to help you with any queries you have.