Estimated net time	3-3½ hours
Difficulty	No difficulties. The whole route runs on path.
Drinking water	The route crosses a stream at the beginning of the route, but the water quality is unknown.
GSM coverage	Coverage throughout the route (April 2012).
Parking	Room for many tens of cars at car parks around trail head.
Start height	440 metres
Vertical metres	775 metres for the roundtrip.
Trip distance	8.8 km
GPS-file	X
Map		Google Interactive Map
Route photo	Pen y Fan trail head by road A470.

From the round about where roads A40 and A470 intersect west of the town Brecon, head 12.4 km south on road A470. Approximately 600 metres after the top of the pass leave A470 to the car park on the left hand side of the road. This car park gets very busy during the week-ends, and if you cannot find a free space there is an option to drive back up towards the pass and find parking there.

From the car park locate the signed trail head and follow the wide path north-east to the pass at 815 metres. From here ascend the small top Corn Du, with a distinct flat summit. Cross this plateau and head north-east to Pen y Fan.

From Pen y Fan descend south-east to the saddle between Pen y Fan and Cribyn, and ascend Cribyn on wide path.

From Cribyn descend back to the saddle and climb towards Pen y Fan to 790 metres. Fork left onto a path which skirts around the south slopes of Pen y Fan, and takes you back to the saddle south of Corn Du. From here follow the path back down to the car park.

01. April 2012

This was my last hike in Wales this week-end, and I was starting to feel very tired. But I knew this wouldn't be a terribly long hike, and I was highly motivated to hike this nice mountain. One might argue that the hundreds of others hikers would make this a less attractive mountain, but for someone who does 90% of his hiking alone it is nice to see other people out enjoying the mountains and getting some physical exercise done.

Ascending Pen y Fan was very easy, and in the fine weather it was also an enjoyable hike. Moving on to Cribyn proved to be more strenuous than I had anticipated, and in particular a sore left foot made me go at a reduced pace. But it was well worth it, giving a fine view of Pen y Fan's steep east wall.

On the way back down to the car I was wondering what to do next; should I stay in Wales for the night or drive close to Heathrow? Then I remembered I was supposed to call my colleague Terry, whom had called me on Friday and wasn't able to pick up the phone when I called him back. When I called and told him I was in the UK he invited me to his house for the night, less than an hour's drive from Heathrow, and we had an excellent evening fine food and drinks, and plenty of discussions on work and all other important and less important things in life. A great finish to a busy week-end.
Photos 01.04.2012