4-Night Brecon Beacons Family Walking Adventure Tour Style: Family Walking Holidays Destinations: Brecon Beacons & Wales Trip code: BRFAM-4 1, 2 & 3 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 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. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 2: 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. 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. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 3: 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. You will then descend back into Brecon via Maen Du Well and on to the cathedral before returning to Nytfha house. Highlight: Look out for Pen Y Fan in the distance in all its majesty, if the weather is favourable. Option 2 - Tretower & Crickhowell Distance: 6 miles (10km) Total ascent: 920 feet (280m) In Summary: We walk from north of Cwmdu to Tretower, with its renowned medieval court and castle. Then we follow a contouring path across farmland leading to the wooded Cwmbeth Brook valley and Crickhowell Highlight: Soak up the history of Tretower Court - a fine 14th Century manor house, and its attractive garden. Option 3 - The Lonely Shepherd, Craig Y Cilau And Llangattock Distance: 9½ miles (15.5km) Total ascent: 1,600 feet (480m) In Summary: A circular walk from the town of Crickhowell exploring the dramatic limestone escarpment and former quarries on the south side of the Usk valley. We visit an isolated rock pinnacle with its local legend before taking a contouring path below the towering cliffs and old quarries. We return to Crickhowell through quiet farmland and Llangattock village. Highlight: The eerie landscape created by the spoil heaps of the disused quarries underneath the cliffs of Craig y Cilau, now painted green with grasses and wildflowers, reclaimed by nature. Option 4 - Black Mountains Distance: 11 miles (18km) Total ascent: 2,900 feet (880m) In Summary: A fine circular walk from Crickhowell bagging two classic tops, Table Mountain and Sugar Loaf. We descend from Table Mountain to Llanbedr village and follow a pretty stretch of the Grwyne Fechan valley before a gradual ascent of Sugar Loaf. We return to Crickhowell along grassy slopes, quiet tracks and lanes. Highlight: a double selfie opportunity at these two big summits. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 4: High Above Hay-on-Wye Option 1 - Clyro & Hay-on-Wye Distance: 4 miles (6.5km) Total ascent: 530 feet (160m) In Summary: Starting in Llowes we’ll walk above the famous Baskerville Hall looking down on Hay-on-Wye to the village of Clyro and back into the book lovers’ paradise of Hay-on-Wye. Highlight: After a relaxing walk, explore the array of second-hand bookshops in Hay-on-Wye, or enjoy an ice cream along the banks of the river. Option 2 - Wye Valley & Hay-on-Wye Distance: 6½ miles (11km) Total ascent: 800 feet (240m) In Summary: A circular walk along the River Wye to the village of Clyro and back into the book lovers’ paradise of Hay-on-Wye. Highlight: After a relaxing riverside walk, explore the array of second-hand bookshops in Hay-on-Wye, or enjoy a pint in one of the town's pubs. Option 3 - Twmpa, Hay Bluff & Offa's Dyke To Hay-on-Wye Distance: 9 miles (15km) Total ascent: 2,030 feet (620m) In Summary: This walk heads onto the Black Mountains escarpment to Twmpa or Lord Hereford’s Knob. We then cross the road at Gospel pass to Hay Bluff before taking the Offa’s Dyke path into Hay-on-Wye. Highlight: Lord Hereford's Knob! Option 4 - Black Mountains North Ridge Distance: 11 miles (18km) Total ascent: 2,200 feet (670m In Summary: From Pengenffordd we pass Castell Dinas (12th century castle remains on an Iron Age site) before going up the Dragon’s Back ridge and on to the escarpment towards Twmpa. We then follow the route of the Medium Walk into Hay-on-Wye. Highlight: We'll discover a hidden stone circle on the descent to Hay. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 5 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 5: Departure Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. ACCOMMODATION Nythfa House Pretty country pile Nythfa House stands above the traditional mid-Wales market town of Brecon and sits within easy reach of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Having spent its early life as a large private house, the building has been converted into a comfortable country hotel. The interiors look like they’ve evolved naturally over time, staying rooted in the local area and house architecture while being filled with contemporary furniture and colours. As well as 31 rooms and a range of public spaces and an inviting indoor pool to tempt you, there are pretty grounds and a short walk to the streets of Brecon itself. The contrasting countryside close by provides challenges including sweeping ridges, an ascent of the Black Mountains and scaling Pen-y-Fan as well as more subtle strolls through the river-carved landscapes of the Melte Valley, along the trail of a series of awesome waterfalls, or time spent dawdling through the second-hand bookshops in Hay-on-Wye. Matchless Country House Accommodation Accommodation Info Need To Know Important Covid-19 Steps We Have Taken For Guest Safety: Please Read Following the relaxation in government guidance on 19 July, we are continuing to take extra steps to keep our guests leaders, and staff safe in our HF country houses.