Pen y Fan Horseshoe Ridge Circular Walk | Brecon Beacons

The Horseshoe Ridge walk is probably my favourite walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. It's a challenging 10 mile circular walk that involves climbing the four peaks of Corn Du, Pen y Fan (the highest peak in southern Britain), Cribyn and Fan y Big. Pen Y Fan and Corn Du were also bronze age burial sites and each summit has a cairn on top, it has a mystical feel to it up there. Once on top of these summits you will have magnificent views stretching for miles in all directions.

You can start the Horseshoe Ridge from the Neuadd Car Park, Taf Fechan Forest (SO 036 169) For me this is the best place to start the walk, it offers you splendid views as you walk up Neuadd Valley and along the ridge above Graig Fan Ddu.

If you are planning on doing this walk, I would suggest that you wear good walking boots, and pack waterproofs and warm gear; the weather can be very unpredictable and can change quickly, even in the summer months. A map and compass should also be taken (OS map: Explorer OL12; Landranger 160).

I have added links below for the OS Maps App, Grid Reference OS, what maps you'll need, the route and Mountain Rescue.

Distance: 10 miles
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Highest point: 2913ft
Route conditions: Well-worn pathways all around and stoned paths in places.
Difficulty: Challenging

#hiking #penyfan #walking

[philjones]

Great video, if people actually take note of your advice then there would be so many fewer rescues. Honestly, its just common sense isn’t it, who in their right mind would go hiking up mountains without the correct gear. I learned something iff your video too today, never heard of the grid reference os app, downloaded it and its bloody great, a must for anyone venturing out on the hills. Love to meet you out there one day with Toby, my border collie would be quite happy with a pal🐾

[RickHerbertSecurity]

Brings back memories from my military days tabbing over the Beacons. Might be just under 3000 feet the Fan however in bad weather it can be a very challenging hostile environment. Great video mate.

[andrewleach]

The uk is so blessed with beautiful scenery, and it’s free

[tedtombling]

Very interesting coverage of essentials to carry, 'what if' action to take and a quality coverage of the route. I used to do that route three times a week when I was working around the country as a guide - not many people around then. I think the Fan Dance route coverage on YouTube has increased the numbers these days. Like you, I tend to choose the quieter places in the National Park to walk when I need a bit of quiet and peace. Another nice presentation.

[chrisarnold]

Tabbed round there more times than i care to remember! Love how your filming and music choices makes something so evocative. Seen 4 seasons there myself, same as Sennybridge - cross the cattlegrid, chuck goretex on no matter what the weather. Fed up of seeing families and couples trying to get to the top of the Fan without kit, water and in inappropriate clothing and footwear and expecting everyone else to clear up after them. Great video as always 👍 👌

[amandakaiviti]

this was super Ryan, just what was needed after a worrying time with my sweet farm dog Millie-she looks a lot like Toby! She's blown a cruciate ligament and is on strict rest-not what a busy doggo wants!
Amazingly poignant segment about the Spitfire crash, and so much history and useful info-really enjoy the way you put it across.
Thanks again Ryan for taking us along on a great day hike! And congrats on your growing numbers!!!

[owestyo]

You blow my mind every time. Absolutely cracking video again mate.

Toby is blowing out his ar5e but was obviously loving it.

He could be the luckiest dog in Wales with his walks 😂

[aljones]

The best video of the Bannau😊. AND 10 out of 10 for pronunciation. I was getting fed up of the poor pronunciation of Welsh names in other's videos.

[jasongross]

What a crackin video Ryan ! Amazing views, thanks for sharing that with us buddy, give Toby a belly rub from me and see you both on the next one 👍🏾👍🏾

[adventurescrapbook]

Thanks for another fantastic video you really show case Wales, our dog Betty loves watching Toby who is a beautiful dog. He is lucky to have a fab owner such amazing adventures 😊

[ColinSlocombe]

Amazing views of the beautiful mountains ⛰️ 😊

[CarlEvz]

Great video Ryan amazing scenery. Great advice about kit and being prepared for weather changes it’s crazy how fast it can change and how dangerous it can be. Stay safe and take care atb mate 👍🏻

[wobba]

Another great video!, my father and I did the exact same route last September. The weather was horrendous! Water running in the wrong direction as the wind was so strong! Haha, we even finished the day off in the same pub (the red cow?) with a home made pie and a stowford press 🍻

[gromlynne]

Diolch Ryan and Toby. Absolutely stunning drone footage. Tips on what to take noted and grid ref finder app🙏

[stevenmorgan-gojk]

Great video mate, as I’ve previously mentioned you do more for marketing Wales than the Welsh tourist board. It is also very informative about kit prep and evacuation planning.

[serkd]

Very informative video Ryan, the drone shots were great. And you earned that cider I say. ATB Serk

[alanvaughan]

Another good vid mate ( surprising amount of people there) — Toby looked as though he’d have gone around again ..powerful dog 👍

[pauldavies]

Nice interesting video Rye!! Would enjoy seeing more stuff like this but the camps with Toby will always be my favourite.

[trustnuffin]

Great video and excellent info on what to pack just in case.
We have just done Pen y Fan from the new car park (£7.50 parking or £10 for a van..April 2025) and it took me and my better half 3hrs 20 mins and loved every minute.
We both had a few aches and pains but well worth it. I'm hoping to do the clockwise Horseshoe soon starting from where you did 👍

[stevenbunney]

Another great informative video. Glad you include the 4 main peaks as part of the circular walk, many leave out Fan Y Big🙈 I’ll be looking for that memorial on my next visit 👍🤓🧐