Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge Walk

https://roamingspices.com/brecon-beacons-horseshoe-ridge-walk/ Music: https://www.bensound The Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge Walk or Pen y Fan Horseshoe Walk, as it is sometimes known, starts from the Neuadd car park and leads north-west along a narrow paved road. Shortly, the roadside trees to the left-hand side end and you are you treated (weather permitting) to a magnificent view up the Taf Fechan valley to the peaks fo Corn Du and Pen y Fan. After just under a 1 mile (1.6 km) you will reach the Lower Neuadd Reservoir. Go through the gate and head west (left) along the front ridge of the reservoir before passing through another gate. Follow the obvious trail up the steep incline to the top of Craig Fan Ddu ridge. This section of path starts fairly gently but as it progresses, so does the steepness. Just ask Marianne, you had to take a horizontal breather for 10 minutes during the climb! Upon reaching the top, you will almost certainly want to catch your breath while appreciating the climb that you have just made. At this point, turn right and follow the trail that now hugs the very edge of the ridge as it winds it way north. You will almost certainly find yourself mesmerised by the majesty and enormity of the Taf Fechan glacial valley that leads to the summits of Corn Du and Pen y Fan. As you progress, the ridge narrows and you now get to enjoy the shallow sweeping Nant Crew valley that descends southwesterly towards the Cantref Reservoir. Approaching Corn Du at Bwlch Duwynt, the Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Ridge Walk intercepts the Pen y Fan route from Pont ar Daf Car Park on the A470. You will now experience a significant rise in the volume of hikers heading mainly to the summit of Pen y Fan. Corn Du Where the paths join, there is also a fork in the trail leading right to Pen y Fan or left and up the steep incline to the summit of Corn Du. Take this left trail and shortly you will be at the top of the second-highest peak in South Wales at 873 m (2,864 ft).