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Pen y Fan

English/Welsh
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
886 m (2906 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
SO01192156
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
n/a
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Top of the beacon
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  160   Brecon Beacons
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Pen y Fan (2500ft+) is the highest of the Brecon Beacons (Wales). It is the central top of a group of 3, the neighbours being Corn Du (873m) 600m to the WSW, and Cribyn (795m) 1.3km to the E.

These 3 tops are of similar appearance, having flattened summits and N-facing cliffs of subtly shaded horizontal stratified sandstone. Ridges with tracks extend NNE from Pen y Fan (Cefn Cwm Llwch) and Cribyn (Bryn Teg) making possible a circular walk over these 2 from the minor roads to the N; and a ridge NW from Corn Du permits a similar circular walk over Corn Du and Pen y Fan.

The main ridge from Corn Du runs SW turning SE with crags to the E overlooking Gwaun Taf, the head of the Taf-Fechan river valley which runs S to Merthyr Tydfil. The main ridge from Cribyn runs SE over a col at 599m where a vehicular track crosses the ridge. The ridge continues E to Fan y Big (710m) then curves round Cwm Oergwm to Waun Rydd (2500ft+) .

It is thus possible starting from the Taf-Fechan forest area and using the vehicular track to the 599m col, to traverse the 3 tops of the Pen y Fan group and circuit Gwaun Taf. In a longer outing from the same start a second 2500+ mountain (Waun Rydd) can be included.

Hazards you may encounter on Pen y Fan include
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
A special thank you to David S Brown for his work on this and all of the England/Wales information.
Picture Gallery for Pen y Fan

Looking down Cefn Cwm Llwch from Pen-Y-Fan

© Gareth Pratt
Image by Gareth Pratt

Pen Y Fan taken from the North on the A470 just before Brecon.

© Gareth Pratt
Image by Gareth Pratt

The Brecon Beacons viewed from the North in December 2009.

© Gareth Pratt
Image by Gareth Pratt

Cribyn seen from Pen y Fan.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
View All 27 Images for Pen y Fan

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
  Brecon Beacons
by Met Office 		Pen y Fan
by Metcheck
Pen y Fan Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
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sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Pen y Fan.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Pen y Fan
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1040 m 19.87 km 6 hrs Pen y Fan and Waun Rydd  A strenuous day of excellent ridge walking above crags on good tracks, with some steep slopes. Could be extended by traversing Fan y Big with steep ascent E from col; or ascent reduced by contour paths around Corn Du and Cribyn. Not Yet Rated 
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Pen y Fan

  Baggers Gallery for Pen y Fan

My dad, Rob, my girlfriend, Tam, and me at the summit of Pen Y Fan after a great walk, Christmas Eve 2009.

© Michael Hill
Image by Michael Hill

Me on the summit of Pen y Fan.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
 
The logging section stores any entries for Pen y Fan in your own log. From here you can
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 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Pen y Fan
by Michael Hill
Pen y Fan
by Mark Nickol

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A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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