Classic Beacons

Mynydd Illtud, Glyn Tarell and the National Park Visitor Centre


Pick up a Geotrail leaflet from the National Park Visitor Centre (‘the Mountain Centre’) and enjoy a walk on the common at Mynydd Illtud. Return to the Visitor Centre for lunch or a coffee.

Glyn Tarell with a view of the iconic skyline of Pen y Fan and Corn Du to the east and the national nature reserve of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych to the west is only a short drive away.

If you’ve got an hour or less:

If you’ve got half a day (2-4 hours):

  • Take a longer walk on the common e.g. Mynydd Illtud Geotrail, or download and follow the Geotour.
  • Visit Brecon – shops, cafes, Y Gaer and Regimental museums, cathedral etc

If you’ve got a full day (5-8 hours):

  • Follow a walk card to enjoy an ascent of Pen y Fan from Storey Arms (not a pub!) or from Pont ar Daf.
  • Follow the National Trust’s upper Tarell Valley walk from here too, for spectacular views including to the glacial moraines and landslips of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad.

Did you know . . ?

. . . that Pen y Fan owes its flat top to a hard capping of Plateau Beds sandstone – ripples in the bedrock on the summit betray its watery origins!