Running Collection by Jen & Sim Benson
10 routes
22:47 h
176 km
6,390 m
Rising from the rolling landscapes of South Wales, the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) has been a national park since 1957. This vast upland area is formed from sedimentary rock, weathered into long ridgelines, expansive plateaus and prominent summits. Pen y Fan, at 2,907 feet (886 m), is the highest mountain in the range, and also higher than anything in Britain south of Cadair Idris in southern Eryri (Snowdonia). While the honeypot sites can be busy on a sunny weekend, much of the national park is wild, remote and little visited.
There’s much to delight trail and fell runners here, from short loops taking in the area’s savagely steep hillsides to the Beacons Way, which stretches for 98 sparsely-waymarked miles (158 km) between Abergavenny in the east and Llangadog in the west. If you’re keen to explore the breadth of the Bannau Brycheiniog, GB Ultras hosts a 100-mile (62 km) race that takes in the entire Beacons Way each summer.
Other races in the area include the OMM (Original Mountain Marathon), which has visited four times, most recently in 2018; the legendary Dragons Back race, which crosses the highest peaks on day five; and the two Brecon Fans fell races, looping Pen y Fan and Fan y Big on consecutive days in July. Local race organisers Limitless Trails host a series of friendly and well-organised events throughout the year.
This Collection showcases some of the best running in the Bannau Brycheiniog. You’ll visit several of the highest summits, reached by exhilarating running along inviting, rocky ridgelines. The topography lends itself to several outstanding horseshoe-shaped routes, starting low and following the obvious skyline throughout. You’ll also visit some of the lower outliers of the national park, perfect for shorter – but no less adventurous – loops when you don’t have all day.
The Tours range from just under four miles (5.9 km) up to 17.6 miles (28.4 km), with anything from 919 to 2,920 feet (280-890 m) of ascent. They’ll take most runners anything from one to four hours to complete, although we’d always suggest you plan in extra time to stop and enjoy the views or, if it’s warm enough, take a dip in one of the many llyns, plunge pools or streams along the way.
Most of the Tours in this Collection start low and head for the high, exposed summits and ridges, where it’s often much colder than in the sheltered valleys. You’ll feel it too, especially if you need to stop for any reason. Even on the shorter routes, take warm and waterproof layers, along with emergency kit including a survival bag, first aid kit, torch, whistle, map, compass and phone.
None of these Tours pass reliable places to refuel, so you’ll need to carry food and water (or a water filter) to last the whole route. Happily, there’s a wealth of great pubs and cafes offering a warm welcome back in the valleys.
03:24
27.1km
7:33/km
890m
890m
This Tour is one of the classic horseshoes in the Black Mountains – a range at the eastern edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog, on the Wales-England border. It’s a superb route, running the obvious line along high-level ridges, with glorious views and a wonderfully wild mountain feel. Waun Fach, at 2,661…
03:35
28.2km
7:38/km
790m
790m
The ruins of Llanthony Priory rise ethereally from the Vale of Ewyas in the Black Mountains area of the Bannau Brycheiniog. Encircling the valley is a perfect horseshoe of summits linked by an airy ridgeline, just calling out to be run.
At 17.6 miles (28.4 km) with 2,592 feet (790 m) of ascent it’s a…
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00:48
5.93km
8:01/km
280m
280m
Skirrid (Welsh: Ysgyryd) Fawr rises from the Black Mountains on the eastern edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. At 1,595 feet (486 m) it’s not officially a mountain, but its steep-sided, rugged form rising from the flatter surrounding area makes running here feel much higher and wilder than…
01:15
9.52km
7:55/km
370m
370m
A distinctive peak rising from the Black Mountains range on the eastern edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, the conical silhouette of Sugar Loaf is clearly visible on the skyline from much of the surrounding area. While its shape is reminiscent of a volcano, its underlying geology is the same…
02:15
19.1km
7:04/km
630m
630m
This Tour follows the route of the classic Fan y Big Horseshoe fell race. It’s an obvious and inviting loop, following the soaring ridgelines surrounding the steep-sided Nant Menasgin valley. Like all the best fell loops, it’s a long, steady climb to the top, followed by a flat-out descent to finish…
01:57
17.2km
6:48/km
370m
370m
This Tour explores some of the spectacular waterfalls on the Afon Mellte and the Nedd Fechan rivers in the Ystradfellte area or the Bannau Brycheiniog, tracing winding woodland trails alongside the tumbling water. In summer, it’s a magical place for a mid-run dip, but can get busy. Visit during the wetter…
02:49
20.2km
8:22/km
830m
830m
The scalloped edge of Fan Hir boasts some of the best running in the Fforest Fawr area of the Bannau Brycheiniog. Here, the Beacons Way splits into two, with a high-level route that takes in the ridgeline and the summit of Fan Brycheiniog, and a lower-level option that skirts the peaceful shores of Lyn…
01:52
14.4km
7:44/km
640m
640m
Possibly one of the best trail running routes in the country, this outstanding loop takes in the highest peaks in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). Following clear, runnable trails and the obvious mountain horseshoe throughout, you’ll be treated to engagingly steep climbs, long, flowy descents…
02:02
13.7km
8:56/km
810m
820m
This is the classic loop of the highest peaks in the Bannau Brycheiniog, summiting Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big in one awesome, undulating ridge traverse. It’s a spectacular Tour, taking you to high, wild-feeling places with – if you’re lucky enough to be visiting on a clear day – fantastic…
02:50
21.2km
8:01/km
770m
770m
Escaping the popular central area of the Bannau Brycheiniog, this Tour takes you deep into the remote heart of Fforest Fawr. You’ll explore this vast area of moorland, following ancient trails and visiting some of the lesser-known summits. Far from roads and tourist hotspots, this is running of a truly…
Running Collection by Anna McNuff
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