Pen Y Fan Reactive Dog Hike, Brecon Beacons

Pen y Fan stands as the tallest peak in South Wales, drawing hikers to its summit year-round. Its name, translating roughly from Welsh to mean 'top of this place,' emphasizes its significance, with the mountain and its surroundings part of the National Trust. The summit of Pen y Fan is marked by a well-preserved and structured Bronze Age cairn which would have originally held the ashes or other remnants of a dead person or persons since multiple burials together are common in the British Bronze Age. From the summit on a clear day the Bristol Channel (including the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm), Carmarthen Bay, Swansea Bay, the Gower Peninsula, the Black Mountains, the Cambrian Mountains, Exmoor, the town of Brecon and much of Mid Wales and the South Wales Valleys, and in a north-easterly direction the Clee Hills in South Shropshire can be seen.

Scully and Mulder when we visited in September, and turned around due to an amber alert for high winds

When to Go

During our first hike on Pen y Fan, we braved an amber wind alert, encountering only three other individuals along the way, none accompanied by dogs. Despite our determination, we had to make the tough decision to turn back around halfway through. On our second attempt in January, amidst cold and rainy conditions, was a lot busier. The car park was filled with a number of people and numerous off-lead dogs. It's advisable to opt for off-peak times for hiking at Pen y Fan, especially during the summer months. An early morning sunrise trek might offer solitude, minimizing encounters with other hikers and their dogs. Based on our experience, it wasn't an ideal environment for Mulder. The trail's busyness with dogs, coupled with the bitter cold and icy conditions at the summit, likely exacerbated his discomfort from hip dysplasia.

Mulder at the summit, it was so icy that icicles formed on his fur and whiskers

How to Get There

For those driving, simply follow the A470 road, which traverses from Llandudno in North Wales to Cardiff in South Wales, passing directly through the beautiful scenery of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and alongside the majestic Pen y Fan itself. If travelling by car, only park in designated parking spaces. National Trust Members can park for free, all non-members are charged a £7.50 all-day parking fee that can be paid via cash or card. There are well-kept toilets i I at the car park.

Once you've arrived, there are several scenic routes to embark on foot or by bike. Walkers can choose between the Beacons Way or the Taff Trail, while cyclists have the option of National Cycle Network Route 8 or the Taff Trail for an enjoyable journey to Pen y Fan. The Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Taf Fechan Circular trail is the least populated, but also one of the most difficult.

If you're relying on public transportation, catching a train to either Merthyr Tydfil or Abergavenny station followed by the X43 bus will get you to Pen y Fan. Alternatively, hop on the T4 bus from Cardiff to Newtown and disembark at Storey Arms for easy access.

Walk Statistics

Walk distance: 7.1Km

Time to complete: 3-4 Hours

Difficulty: Medium

Elevation: 1,841ft

Terrain: Rocky, slippery, icy, not wheelchair friendly 

Pub or Grub: No nearby places

The route is commonly regarded as moderately easy, typically requiring around 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Given its popularity among hikers, runners, and walkers, expect to encounter fellow outdoor enthusiasts along the way. The peak times for visitors to this trail is from April to October when weather conditions are generally better. The Storey Arms to Pont ar Daf path, affectionately known as "The Motorway," is a 7.1Km circular route, starting from the Storey Arms Outdoor Centre at the nearby Pont ar Daf car park. Beginning at an elevation of approximately 1,443ft, the ascent to Pen y Fan's 2,907ft summit is manageable. However, the pathway is slippery when wet, and icy when cold.

Be Prepared:

• Wear the right footwear. The trails can be steep, icy and slippery. Sturdy boots are advised with a good grippy sole.

• While the weather at the car park might be nice and mild, it could be snowing at the peak- dress accordingly

• Mobile phone coverage is unreliable so make sure people know where you are if hiking alone.

• There are no bins, all rubbish (and dog poo) must be taken back to the car park with you and not left on the trail.

• Respect the mountain and stick to the designated paths to ensure your safety and preserve the ecological balance, as erosion is a concern due to the popularity of these mountains.

• Respect the countryside code, there are sheep grazing on the mountain, dogs are asked to be kept on lead
  

Our Rating:

Scenery Score:

• Views are nice, but when we were at the peak it was foggy, so unfortunately we didn't get to see the full experience.

• Despite fog at the peak, the moorland and views at the bottom of the mountain are breath-taking

Accessibility Score:

• The route is not accessible for wheelchair users

• The route is difficult for less abled or arthritic dogs

• The route is fine for children, and many young children complete the hike

Reactivity Rating:

• While dogs are supposed to be kept on the lead, many dogs were off-lead

• The trails are busy, we saw lots of people, children and dogs

• Little to no passing places on the trail, especially when icy and wet it can be dangerous with a reactive dog that lunges

Amenities:

• The car park has had work done on it to expand it, there are plenty of good parking spaces

• The toilets are very well kept and clean

• There are no shops to buy food or drinks from, and no nearby cafes within reasonable distance- bring food and water with you.

Final Thoughts- Do we Recommend The Pen Y Fan Hike For Reactive Dogs?

Pen y Fan is a fantastic choice for hikers in Wales, drawing many visitors with its renowned beauty. On clear days, the vistas are simply breath-taking, with vast expanses of rolling hills stretching into the horizon, accentuated by ancient cliffs. However, its popularity often means crowded trails, detracting from the peace reactive dogs need. For a quieter experience, especially during peak seasons like mid-summer, exploring the nearby Black Mountains or Cambrian Mountains could be a rewarding alternative. We would not recommend this trail for reactive dogs

Thank you for reading!

Ella, Mulder and Scully