7-Night Brecon Beacons Family Walking Adventure Tour Style: Family Walking Holidays Destinations: Brecon Beacons & Wales Trip code: BRFAM-7 1, 3 & 5 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW The Brecon Beacons National Park protects an upland area of moorland, waterfalls and lakes and is designated an International Dark Sky Reserve. The area has a wonderful selection of walking options from level walks on high ridges to more challenging walks ascending the ‘Fans’ (peaks). There are gushing waterfalls (one of which you can walk behind!), impressive caves and even fossilised seabed, high in the hills. Walks take place in and around the park, ranging from easy strolls alongside rivers and past cascading waterfalls to more serious treks including to the top of Pen-y-Fan, South Wales’ highest peak. The Brecon Canal is a reminder of the area’s industrial heritage while ruined castles tell of bygone struggles for power. WHAT'S INCLUDED • Full Board en-suite accommodation. • Max guests in house: 57 • Family rooms: 7 • A full programme of walks guided by HF Leaders www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 • All transport to and from the walks • Free Wi-Fi HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS FAMILY FUN AT NYTHFA HOUSE • Toast marshmallows around a fire • Burger & hotdog night • Walk behind a waterfall • Play croquet on the lawn THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO SEE... • Visit Big Pit Mining Museum • Explore Dan yr Ogof Show Caves • Ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway • Dinas Rock • Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall • Brecon Canal • Tretower Castle TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded Activity Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Level 1 - Short walks of 3-4 miles with up to 750 feet of ascent for little legs. Level 3 - Mid-range walks are 6-9 miles with up to 1,800 feet of ascent on undulating terrain. Level 5 - Longest walks are 9-12 miles with up to 3,150 feet of ascent in rugged upland areas for families with active teenagers. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Waterfall Country Option 1 - Pont Melin Fach Distance: 2½ miles (4km) Total ascent: 75 feet (20m) In Summary: Starting at the site of the old water mill at Pont Melin-fach, we follow the river downstream and past an amazing series of waterfalls, including the spectacular Sgwd Gwladus (Lady’s Fall) finishing at Pontneddfechan. Highlight: Look out for wagtails and possible even otters as you wander along the river banks. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Option 2 - Waterfalls & Woodlands Distance: 6½ miles (11km) Total ascent: 850 feet (260m) In Summary: Starting near Sgwd Clun-gwyn waterfall, we follow along the river upstream to view some caves at Porth Yr Ogof. We then leave the riverside to walk in woodlands before meeting the river again at Pont Melin-fach and we follow it down river and past an amazing series of waterfalls, including the spectacular Sgwd Gwladus (Lady’s Fall) finishing at Pontneddfechan. Highlight: Enjoy walking past different waterfalls and noticing the wildlife around in the habitat. Option 3 - Waterfalls & Gorges Distance: 9 miles (15km) Total ascent: 1,300 feet (400m) In Summary: Entering the Afon Hepste gorge we have an exciting opportunity to walk behind the Sgwd yr Eira waterfall before viewing the cave at Porth yr Ogof. Then across to the Nedd Fechan and its dramatic series of waterfalls to Pontneddfechan. Highlight: Trying not to get wet walking behind the waterfall! Option 4 - Dinas Rock & Waterfalls Distance: 10½ miles (18 km) Total ascent: 2,200 feet (660m) In Summary: Starting at Dinas Rock, we go down to a spectacular gorge and mine and then up along the side of Dinas Rock and across country to Sgwd yr Eira where we walk behind the waterfall. Up through the forestry above the waterfalls on the Afon Mellte and then across country to get to the Neddfechan river with its own amazing waterfalls including the Sgwd Gwladus (Lady’s Fall) to finish in Pontneddfechan. Highlight: Watching the climbers on Dinas Rock. Day 3: The Western Fans Option 1 - Craig-y-Nos & Dan Yr Ogof Distance: 4½ miles (7km) Total ascent: 540 feet (160m) In Summary: This easy and undemanding walk visits Craig-y-nos Country Park and finishes at Dan yr Ogof allowing for an afternoon visit to the show caves, dinosaur park and shire horse centre. Highlight: Plenty for the kids to enjoy at the Dan yr Ogof National Showcaves Centre for Wales. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Option 2 - Along The Usk Valley Distance: 6½ miles (10km) Total ascent: 550 feet (160m) In Summary: We start our walk four miles west of Brecon at the small village of Aberbran. We cross a pretty stone bridge and walk across fields and along a quiet road to Y Gaer, the site of a Roman cavalry outpost. We follow a bridleway, sometimes muddy, to the western edge of Brecon and River Usk. We visit Brecon Cathedral and continue our walk through wooded Priory Groves and across playing fields to the House. Highlight: Wander through Priory Groves and explore Brecon's magnificent Cathedral. Option 3 - Fan Brycheiniog Distance: 9 miles (15km) Total ascent: 1,400 (425m) In Summary: We ascend wild country to Llyn y Fan Fawr, a corrie lake 2,000 feet above sea level, then up to Bwlch Giedd and across wild moorland. A gradual descent, generally following the Afon Giedd, takes us to where the river disappears underground at Sinc Giedd and then over broken ground to Carreg Goch. Then across moorland to join the main drovers trail down to Tafarn y Garreg. Highlight: The site of a wrecked Vampire Aircraft. Option 4 - Aircraft Wreck & Western Fans Distance: 12 miles (19.5km) Total ascent: 1,800 (540m) In Summary: Up to Llyn y Fan Fawr, a corrie lake and then around this with a steep ascent onto Fan Foel and along the spectacular Bannau Sir Gear ridge. A gradual descent southwards to pick up the old drovers trail to where the Giedd river disappears underground. Continuing over broken ground to Carreg Goch. Finally we cross wild moorland with numerous sink holes to end at Tafarn y Garreg. Highlight: That 'on top of the world' feeling, walking along the Bannau Sir Gaer ridgeline high above and beyond the corrie lake. Day 4: Free Day Discover more about Nythfa House and the local area for ideas on how to fill your free day. Day 5: Brecon Mountain Railway And The Central Beacons Option 1 - Brecon Mountain Railway Distance: 3½ miles (5½km) Total ascent: 320 feet (100m) In Summary: Our walk starts with a journey on a restored steam railway line from Pant to the top station at Torpantau. We walk on a forestry track high above Pentwyn Reservoir before descending to a tree-lined path beside Pontsticill Reservoir which we follow to Pontsticill station where there is a café and a small museum. Later in the afternoon we return by train to Pant station. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 5 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: The ride on this excellently maintained steam train which delivers you into the heart of the national park. Option 2 - Mountain Railway & Cwm Callan Distance: 5½ miles (9km) Total ascent: 660 feet (200m) In Summary: Our walk takes us on the narrow gauge railway to Torpantau where we follow a forestry track. The track follows the far side of Nant Callan and descends to a tree-lined path beside Pontsticill Reservoir which we follow to Pontsticill station where there is a café and small museum. Later in the afternoon we return by train to Pant station. Highlight: Look out for Red Kites sailing on the thermals high above this picturesque pair of reservoirs. Option 3 - Mountain Railway, Pen Y Fan & Corn Du Distance: 9½ miles (15km) Total ascent: 1,850 feet (560m) In Summary: After our journey on the steam railway to Torpantau we walk into the heart of the Central Beacons along an old drovers’ track which may have been a Roman road. We follow the Beacons Way around the imposing Cribyn mountain and ascend steeply on a recently improved path to the summit of Pen y Fan. We soon reach nearby Corn Du where we descend on an initially steep path which takes us across moorland and down quiet lanes to the small village of Libanus. Highlight: The stunning views from the high point of today's walk, Pen y Fan. The highest summit in the Brecon Beacons. Option 4 - The Mountain Railway & The Four Tops Distance: 10 miles (16km) Total ascent: 2,750 feet (850m) In Summary: Our linear take on one of the must-do hikes of the Brecon Beacons. Offering proper mountains, plunging waterfalls and stunning views, a well as a heritage steam train ride to start the day. Highlight: A real high mountains hike, this walk takes in the four tops that make up the distinctive ridge-line of the Central Beacons. Day 6: Around Crickhowell Option 1 - Pen Y Crug Distance: 4 miles (6.5km) Total ascent: 750 feet (220m) In Summary: This walk takes you around the outskirts of Brecon and into some beautiful woodland before the short climb to the summit of Pen-y-Crug and the hill fort.