Running Collection by Jen & Sim Benson
10 running adventures in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
10 routes
22:47
176km
6,390m
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.
Visibility:
Anyone
Activities
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.93km
00:48
280m
280m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
14.4km
01:52
640m
640m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Collection Stats
Activities
10
Distance
176 km
Duration
22:47 h
Elevation
6,390 m
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