Exploring new Summits: Brecon Beacons

Who doesn’t love exploring new summits?! That feeling of a new mountain top just can’t be beaten, a whole new world of exploration; a new place, a new view & a new landscape. A new challenge offering a totally different perspective of the world!

From my cycle tour of Pembrokeshire, my South Wales road trip took me into heart of the Brecon Beacons for my next adventures; exploring new summits. Obviously after a quick stop in Tenby, for some sea breeze and ice cream of course!

Seaside and mountains in the same day – another reason why I love Wales, I do.

As ever with my adventures, I’m always trying to fit as much as possible into such a short space of time. It’s a hectic way to live, but its got to be done to maximise adventure opportunities, considering UK weather conditions – It’s a hard life trying to have it all!

If there’s one thing I absolutely love, its watching the sunrise & sunset. There’s nothing I love more than watching the sunset from a mountain top. Never having been to the Brecon Beacons, I thought I’d just pick the biggest hill & go exploring new summits, in the hope of witnessing a beautiful mountain top sunset.

The biggest hill in the Brecon Beacons is in fact the well-known Pen-Y-Fan at 886m. I’ve seen and heard loads above this mountain from the wonderful world of social media.

I opted for the route known as the Horseshoe route, a demanding 9-mile circular route. Starting in the isolated Taf Fechan Forest at the bottom of the valley, from there you can see Pen-Y-Fan approximately 4.5 miles in the distances, with the circular route visibly obvious via Corn Du, Cribyn & Fan-Y-Big. It’s a long old climb up, with not much in the way of views on the way up. That said, the path is so obvious – its only difficult in terms of distance & ascent, the navigation is a doddle.

I was losing the will to live climbing up this one, but as I neared the summit, the sun broke the mountainous horizon line before me – & oh my word, the views which opened up were breathtaking! The last rays of summer light illuminated the peaks and valleys with such a magnificent glow.

These are the views I live for & the reasons why I love exploring new summits!

Despite the magnificent views, the final couple hundred metres across to the summit were wild with howling winds. I guess it’s to be expected when on the highest point of any mountain range. It wasn’t a day for hanging around, despite the incredibly superb vistas.

I arrived on the top of Pen-Y-Fan around half an hour before ‘official’ sunset – but right at the peak of golden hour. The way the clouds refracted the sunlight was just insanely beautiful. Had it not been for the wind, I could’ve sat there for hours, marvelling at this wondrous welsh sunset.

It’s so hard to explain my love of sunsets & sunrises – they happen every day of every week of every year, yet each day they’re still so special. Its such a precious moment, one which totally captivates me – I’m just mesmerized each and every time.

The only problem with watching the sunset to the west & your car being parked due south east, means a descent in total darkness. Absolutely no light to guide you back down – a 886m tall mountain stood between my route down & the light of the fading sun. What would an adventure be without being a little scared!

Its also worth noting there is zero signal in this forest, not a bean. I mean that was great for me camping, I always sleep so much better when I haven’t been scrolling through my phone before bed. But as for getting weather updates & other such useful info (or emergencies), you’re a little bit screwed!

Having camped in the Taf Fechan Forest, near Merthyr Tydfill, I had planned to ride my mountain bike at Bike Park Wales the following day. But that plan went out the window upon discovering bike tracks on Pen-Y-Fan. The mountain bikers reading this will totally understand the thrill of riding full enduro over a mountain.

For me this is mountain biking in its truest, most adventurous form & another way of exploring new summits. Simply drag your bike in whatever way it takes to the summit & take in the achievement (& hopefully the view)! Taking time to savour that moment, knowing all the uphill is complete & you can just tear it up coming back down!

All mountain riding is generally a lot harder than trail centre, as no mountain is purpose built. But the satisfaction is sooo worth it! Especially when you arrive back at your car soaking wet, covered in mud from head to toe – in the rain. The charms of a welsh adventure eh!?

So there you have it; 2 days, one mountain – conquered in two different ways. Get out there, get outside & go exploring new summits!