Beacons Horseshoe

12/09/2012

Walk: Cefn Cwm Llwch, Pen y Fan, Corn Du, Craig Cwm Llwch, Llyn Cwm Llwch, Cwm Llwch, road
Start Point: Car park at end of small lane Grid Ref: SO 025 248
Distance: 7 miles Ascent: 2,500 feet
Weather: A fine day but a very cold wind on the summits Time: 4.5 hours
Comments: After climbing Pen y Fan from the south at the beginning of the week we decided to approach it from the north. The route started by crossing fields to reach a clear path that headed up the side of a valley. From here the path more or less followed the ridge climbing gradually until the upper flanks of Pen y Fan were reached. The path then became steeper with a final rocky steep section. Emerging onto the plateau we were pleased that the hordes of Saturday were no longer around but there were three groups, one of which were soldiers with huge packs. After a brief pause we continued on to Corn Du and the cold wind soon had us leaving the summit. A long descent took us to the Tommy Jones obelisk. This is a memorial to a boy who disappeared in August 1900 while walking with his father and was found some weeks later at this spot. After a steeper path leading down to the lake the route followed a very pleasant grassy track which descended gradually to reach the road. Making good time along the road we had a final short climb back to the car. There was more ascent than the route we did on Saturday but it was a much more enjoyable walk.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

A soldier guards the car park

 

Looking north as we head up the valley . . .

 

and we soon have views of Cribyn with Pen y Fan just popping up beyond the ridge

 

A sheep stands guard . . .

 

and is kind enough to keep still until I have zoomed in on it

 

Higher up we can see the summit of Pen y Fan clearly with Corn Du now appearing to its right

 

The north east flanks of Pen y Fan are quite impressive

 

Emerging at the top we can see our ongoing route from Corn Du and past the lake . . .

 

and the route we have just followed

 

Two groups enjoy their lunch on the summit . . .

 

and a kind gentleman captures us both on the summit

 

I wouldn't like to carry their rucksacks!

 

On the edge of Pen y Fan with Cribyn in the background

 

The route from Pen y Fan to Corn Du

 

A 'postcard' shot from Corn Du to Pen y Fan

 

The descent from the summit . . .

 

to the obelisk . . .

 

then down to the lake

 

Pen y Fan and Corn Du from the lake

 

Looking back to the summits from the final stages of the descent . . .

 

and again from another spot

 

A rainbow appears just before we arrive back at the cottage

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