Pen y Fan - 3 Peaks including Corn Du and Cribyn

Overview
Distance: 9 km
Average Duration: 4.5-5 hrs
Difficulty Level: Easy / Moderate
Total Elevation Gain: Approx. 445 m
Start/Finish: Pont ar Daf car park – Pont ar Daf car park

Note: We stayed on a campsite nearby and completed this route in May. We arrived early because the car park and road at the base of the mountain get very busy. The car park is called Pont ar Daf car park and is directly below the start point. As we arrived we realised the road was extremely busy with cars parked at the side everywhere. We found a spot further down the road, which meant a little extra walking to reach the start.

There were so many people that the route up Pen y Fan (886 m) felt very popular. Technically a hill rather than a mountain, this Brecon Beacons walk is the highest peak in South Wales and is well-known for its accessibility and spectacular views.

Since my girlfriend and I were physically fit, we aimed to complete the Welsh 3 Peaks: Corn Du, Pen y Fan, and Cribyn. This circular route seemed straightforward and offered a fantastic Brecon Beacons hike experience.

Planning Your Pen y Fan Hike

Getting There

We parked at Pont ar Daf car park, which lies at the base of the ascent. Because the road was crowded, we ended up parking a little further down and walked in. If you want to avoid parking stress, aim to arrive early — the standard route up Pen y Fan from the car park is the easiest and most popular. Ramblers+1

Best Season

We did this in May. For the best experience on this hike in the Brecon Beacons National Park, spring and early summer give milder weather, longer daylight hours and good visibility.

Permits & Fees

There are no special permits to hike Pen y Fan (or Corn Du, Cribyn) on the standard public footpaths, but you will likely pay a car park fee at Pont ar Daf. The route is maintained and clearly marked.

Water & Food

On our hike we brought enough water for a short hike only, and packed snacks. There are no extensive services on the ridge, so bring 1-2 litres of water, snacks, and plan for minimal facilities.

Accommodation

We stayed nearby at a campsite, conveniently placed for early start. There are plenty of places to stay in the Brecon Beacons area. Starting early is especially useful if you want to beat the crowds for this Brecon Beacons walk.

The Hike

We followed the standard route up Pen y Fan and then took in Corn Du and Cribyn. The hike began at Pont ar Daf car park. The trail was very busy – the path is well-worn and easy to follow.

The climb up Pen y Fan was steady and surprisingly quick — about 1.5 hours to the summit, despite not pushing hard. The views across the Brecon Beacons were crisp on that morning. Once at the top of Pen y Fan, turning around for a standalone route would have been fine. But we were aiming for the 3-peak circuit.

From Pen y Fan we continued to the next summit, Corn Du (873 m) which lies just south-west of Pen y Fan. Its Bronze Age cairn gives a bit of historical interest and the ridge linking the two offers excellent panoramic views.

Next, we tackled Cribyn (795 m) — the final of the three peaks. The ascent to Cribyn felt steeper at the end, and while we eventually made it fine, we did make a small navigational error and walked for about 45 minutes in the wrong direction. Because of that mistake I regretted only packing minimal water. Not dangerous, but a little uncomfortable.

Eventually we got back on track, traversed down the ridge and returned safely to the car park. We laughed about the navigational slip once back at the car (where I had plenty more water!)

All told: Distance ~9 km, duration 4.5-5 hours, elevation gain ~445 m — a manageable day hike in the Brecon Beacons with big views.

Key Highlights

• The ridge walk between Corn Du and Pen y Fan offers awe-inspiring scenery; many walkers consider this one of the finest in the Brecon

• Pen y Fan summit is popular and busy, especially in spring/summer — if you prefer more solitude, consider starting early or choosing a lesser‐used route.

• Cribyn is slightly quieter than the other two peaks, making it a good place for a snack and a rest with expansive views.

What to Bring / What to Note

• Solid walking boots or shoes recommended — while this route is labelled “easy”, some sections are steep and exposed.

• Weather changes fast up on the ridge. Layers, windproof jacket, map or GPS, and enough water are essential.

• Busy car park and trail: arriving early helps avoid the rush.

• Stay on marked paths to avoid erosion – the area is maintained by the National Trust and others because of high visitor numbers.

Alternative Routes

If you want to vary the walk from the standard circuit, here are a couple of other good options around Pen y Fan:

• A less crowded route via the northern flanks of the ridge, starting from Cwm Gwdi car park. Offers quieter terrain though steeper in parts.

• A full “horseshoe” around the peaks of Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and even including Fan y Big (717 m) for extra distance and views — more challenging but rewarding.