Waun Fach, at 811 meters, is the highest mountain in The Black Mountains and offers stunning panoramic views over the Beacons and plains towards Hereford. There is also a wonderful Iron Age fort to explore, standing guard over the Rhiangoll Valley.
This route returns via Y Grib, a ridge offering superb views and a sense of what ridge walking can offer – in this case, it is quite broad, ideal for anyone wanting to experience a ridge for the first time. Looking from the car park, you can see why this area is called “The Dragon’s Back”
Confusingly, there are two areas of the Beacons known as “The Black Mountains”. In Welsh, “Mynydd Du” is to the west, but Waun Fach lies in “Mynyddoed Duon” to the east.
The start point of this walk is on the A479, a ten-minute drive from Cwmdu Campsite at a place called Pengenffordd. The car park, which is part of the Dinas Castle Inn, is clearly marked for walkers and is separate from the pub /hotel car park.
Castle Inn to Pen Trumau via Rhiw Trumau
At the north end of the car park is a finger post pointing towards some steps. Walk down these steps and onto a broad track. Should you wish to do this walk in reverse, turn left and walk up the hill. Turn right and walk down the hill. This is a pleasant walk through trees ending at a small ford.
Join the narrow country lane and walk past the riding school at Cwmfforest. As you walk along this lane, you have lovely views of the way forward and start to appreciate the challenge that’s before you!
The car park is approximately 320 metres above sea level, and in the kilometre or so you have walked, the altitude has dropped to 250 metres. Now, in a little over a kilometre, you will climb to over 600 metres, so be prepared for some steep sections. However, the benefit of this is the views down towards the Usk valley and back over Myndd Llangorse, so take your time, rest often and bask in this beautiful scenery.
As the country lane flattens out and turns right, walk up the signed bridleway. The path at this stage is obvious, just keep heading upwards and enjoy the views.
After a kilometre, the path starts to flatten, although still rising, and becomes less distinct as the ground changes from bare rock to grass. This area can become very muddy, and you cross many small streams. You will cross several footpaths heading north, but keep aiming for a cairn on the crest of the hill in the easterly direction.
When you reach the cairn at Rhiw Trumau, take a well-earned rest and enjoy the scenery around you. Your path lies to the north, and you will see the shoulder of Pen Trumau that you need to climb. From a distance, this looks quite daunting, but although the final section is steep, the path is well marked and can be walked up without the need for any scrambling.
Pen Trumau to Waun Fach
The walk now flattens out as you reach the plateau of Pen Trumau at 700 meters. The footpath is well-marked and easy to follow. Indeed, the way forward has been laid out by the Brecon Beacons National Park to minimise erosion to this delicate and fragile landscape, so please keep to the path.
Follow the path as it rises gently toward the peak of Waun Fach. A cairn and the intersection of multiple paths mark the top. On a clear day, you can see the Shropshire Clee Hills, look over the Brecon Beacons and Carmarthen fells and sometimes glimpse the Bristol Channel.
Additional Information
For further information about Cwmdu Campsite in Wales, please visit our Home Page
To check availability for this season, please fill in a booking form here.
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HOLIDAY COTTAGES INFORMATION
4* Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages in the Brecon Beacons, 4 miles from Crickhowell and all within 50 yards of Cwmdu Campsite.
We have 2 cosy cottages available to book:
- Efail Isaf – ‘Old Smithy’ – Sleeps 6 in three bedrooms. Cosy cottage with log burner and picturesque garden and panoramic views of the National Park. Infant facilities are available.
- Efail Bach – ‘Little Smithy’ – One-bed cottage with large shower and separate large bath. Fantastic views from the bedroom, living room and garden. BBQ included. Infant facilities are available.
Click Here for more information or to book a Cwmdu Holiday Cottage stay with us!
FIRE AND ICE INFORMATION
Imagine a Fire & Ice experience like no other! Rest and rejuvenate peacefully in a Nordic wood-fired Sauna & Ice bath with a Scenic mountain view looking out across the Welsh Brecon Beacons National Park, also known as (Bannau Brycheiniog).
Guests can visit in many ways: camp or Glamp at Cwmdu Campsite, stay in one of our four Holiday Cottages, or stop by for an independent session.
