Hints and Tips on Navigating The Beacons Way

Cymdeithas Parc Bannau Brycheiniog
Brecon Beacons Park Society
www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org

HINTS AND TIPS
(The corrections given below all assume that the Beacons Way is being walked from East to West)

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Day One - Abergavenny to Llanthony Priory

Incorrect Mapping

The 2005 edition of Ordnance Survey OL 13 shows a footpath leaving a minor road near Pant-y-tyle at (Grid Reference) SO 3352-1919 whereas the route on the ground has been moved 100 metres further East to SO 3360-1920 but the 2009 edition has been updated.
OL 13 also shows the Beacons Way leaving Offa's Dyke Path on Hatterrall Hill at SO 2900-2950 whereas the correct route starts the descent to Llanthony Priory 3.4 kilometres earlier, at SO 3074-2697 but the 2009 edition has been updated.

Day Two - Llanthony Priory to Crickhowell

Incorrect Mapping

On the 2005 and 2009 edition of Ordnance Survey OL 13 'The Beacons Way' is incorrect from Tyn-y-llyn farmhouse to Partrishow Church. After passing by the farm, bear right at SO 2801-2235 and follow the footpath to the Church.
The OS map also shows a less desirable route across Crug Mawr. Rather than hand-rail the stone wall, look for a path to start to ascend the hill at SO 2741-2288 and contour around to SO 2672-2257. This can be difficult to find if the bracken is high. The route has been altered between SO 274 228 and SO 260225 to cross Crug Mawr and route alteration signs are in place
The Route Guide and 2005 edition of OL 13 map both indicate the route as passing by Draen Farm. This has now been superseded by a permissive route which enters woodland at SO 2422-2122 and joins the minor road South of Draen at SO 2402-2106. The 2009 edition of map OL13 has been updated but the route is not clearly defined.

Day Three - Crickhowell to Llangynidr

Route Change

The route has been altered between Twyn (SO2123 2012) and Cwm Mawr (SO 2043 2133). It has been re-signed and diversion notices are in place. The new route follows the boundary of Access land

Incorrect Mapping

The route shown on the 2005 and 2009 editions of Ordnance Survey OL 13 from Cwm-gu Brook at SO 2016-2197 to the Ford at Llewenau Draw at SO 1930-2333 can be perilous. There are paths, away from the walls and further up the Western slopes of Pen Gloch-y-pibwr, which are more useable but can be difficult to find in high bracken. The National Park Wardens are attempting to control the growth of bracken in this area.
To avoid Llewenau Farm, a permissive path has been created from SO 1911-2380 to join the existing footpath at SO 1890-2372. The 2005 OS map does not show this but the 2009 edition has been updated.

Day Four - Llangynidr to Craig Cerrig-gleisiad

Incorrect Mapping

On the 2005 edition of Ordnance Survey OL 13 the Beacons Way symbols have not been shown on the footpath between the Canal Lock at SO 1440-1980 and Pen-y-beili at SO 1346-1936 but the 2009 edition has been updated.
On the 2005 OL 12 map the incorrect route is shown between the 'Taff Trail' at SO 0919-1724 and the Car Park/Picnic Area at SO 0559-1753. Do not cross the Taff trail but stay on it heading West for 4.4 kilometres to arrive at a minor road at SO 0545 1748. Turn right, heading East, for 200 metres along this road and join the published route at the Car Parking area to begin the ascent of Craig y Fan Ddu. BUT the 2009 edition has been updated.
The Route Guide recommends the shortest 'motor way' descent from the summit of the Beacons (page 83) but the relevant map (page 78) is incorrect. Between Bwlch Duwynt at SO 0059-2097 and Pont ar Daf at SN 9877-1983, take the most obvious path on the ground, shown as a pecked black line on the map, which is South of the footpath highlighted in the Route Guide. The correct route is, in fact, shown on the 2005 and 2009 editions.

Day Five - Craig Cerrig-gleisiad to Craig-y-nos

Route Change

A new route between Storey Arms (SN 9821 2030) and Craig Cerrig-gleisiad (SN 9598 2208) has been introduced. The route is marked on the ground and diversion notices are in place.

Navigation Tip

Due to a plethora of paths and sheep-tracks, finding the best route between Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Cefn Perfedd can be difficult, even in good visibility.
From the fence-junction above Craig Cerrig-gleisiad at SN 9598-2209, hand-rail the stone wall in a Westerly direction for 200 metres to SN 9577-2203. Walk on a bearing of 222° (magnetic) for 600 metres to arrive at a cairn which is shown as 'Pile of Stones' on the map at SN 9539-2158. >From the cairn walk on a bearing of 238° (magnetic) for 1.6 kilometres to obtain Spot Height '570' at SN 9421-2080. From here the ascent of the Fan Dringarth ridge (due south) should be obvious.

Incorrect Mapping

From the decent of Fan Llia, the 2005 and 2009 editions of Ordnance Survey map OL 12 shows the Beacons Way entering a section of forest at SN 9289-1660, but the actual stile is to be found 150 metres further West at SN 9275-1662.
The location for the crossing of the Nedd Fechan at Blaen-nedd Isaf shown in the Route Guide map (page 93) is incorrect and not legal. A wooden bridge has now been installed on Sarn Helen by the Ford at SN 9111-1482. The OS map does show the correct crossing point.
The 2005 and 2009 editions of map OL 12 does not show The Beacons Way entering Craig-y-nos Country park, where most travellers will probably wish to end day five. From the Bridleway-junction at SN 8430-1574 take the left fork through a small wooden gate, and then left again, heading South-West, to arrive at the Country Park, toilets, shop and the A4067.

Day Six - Craig-y-nos to LLanddeusant

Incorrect Mapping

The 2005 and 2009 editions of Ordnance Survey OL 12 shows the incorrect route through the village of Callwen. On the approach to Callwen at SN 8486-1664, turn right off the tarmac road and pass through a black metal kissing gate. Cross a field to another black kissing gate and then head NNW by the side of some trees to cross a track and arrive at Callwen Church. Go around the Church and through the Churchyard to arrive at the A 4067, from where it is only 200 metres on the right to the Tafarn-y-Garreg pub.
The 2005 and 2009 editions of map OL 12 map are incorrect in showing the approach to the sheep-pen at Ty Hendrey Farm. There is no legal right of way from the Farmhouse at Ty Hendrey onto the Open Access land to the North. From the Tafarn-y-Garreg, cross the A 4067 heading NNW and having crossed the footbridge over Afon Tawe, bear right and walk in a Northerly direction along a permitted path, by the river, that is not shown on the OS map. (Do not take the footpath across the field on your left to the farmhouse, as this is a dead-end). After 200 metres, turn left up an enclosed grassy track to arrive at the sheep-pen at SN 8479-1743. From here, the Beacons Way is correctly identified on the OS map.
The 2005and 2009 editions of map OL12 do not show the recommended crossing of Nant Tawe Fechan near the waterfalls at SN 8424-1878 (This is a lovely spot to pause for some refreshment)
The Beacons Way on the 2009 edition of the OL12 map meets Llyn y Fan Fawr at SN 8319 2131 – further west than shown on the OS map.

Alternative Route

Walkers who insist on taking the high route at all costs (in this case, traversing the ridge of Fan Hir, rather than sample the delights of the Nant Tawe Fechan waterfalls) might be interested in an alternative route between the Tafarn-y-Garreg pub SN 8488-1710) and Bwlch Giedd (SN 8290-2137)

On the map to the right, the original published route is shown with a solid green line and the alternative route as a dotted red line.

Alternative Route
From the Tafarn-y-Garreg pub, turn left and walk SSW down the A 4067 for 700 metres. At SN 8451-1653 turn right and follow a bridleway past some buildings and through several gates, then left at a gate or stile heading towards the River Haffes. Just before the river (at 8424-1674) turn right, over a stile and take a permitted path not shown on the OS map, ascending the hill running parallel with the river in a Northerly direction.
A stile onto the open hill is reached at 8407-1725 and from there, walk on a bearing of 8° (mag) for 600 metres to reach Spot Height '463' on Allt Fach at 8414-1785.
From the Spot Height continue on a bearing of 342º (mag) for 1 kilometre until reaching the Fan Hir escarpment, at 8380-1876.
Continue ascending along the long Fan Hir ridge, heading North for some 3 kilometres until the original Beacons Way route is rejoined at Bwlch Giedd (SN 8290-2137).

Navigation Tip

If taking the bad-weather, low-level, more northerly route route around the Bannau Sir Gaer ridge; rather than head for the 'Dam' at Waun Sychlwch shown on the OS map at SN 8082-2232, which can be difficult to find in reduced visibility, make for a concrete bridge across the 'feeder' canal at SN 8053-2211. From the bridge, it is only 300 metres to Lyn y Fan Fach with its emergency shelter.
When descending from Lyn y Fan Fach the route on the ground is further east, away from Garwnant, than indicated on the OS map.

Day Seven - Llanddeusant to Carreg Cennen

Incorrect Mapping

The 2005 and 2009 editions of Ordnance Survey OL 12 contains several inaccuracies on this section of the route, which can also be difficult to navigate in adverse conditions:
- the route should go to the Trig-point on Carreg Yr Ogof at SN 7777-2146
- it should reach the Cairns on Garreg Las at SN 7774-2034
- it should go via the Cairn on Carn Pen Rhiw-ddu at SN 7274-1891 (This inaccuracy is also shown in the Route Guide on page 116)
The 2005 OL 12 map and the Route Guide (page 121) does not show the most obvious route across Banc Wernwgan. Leaving the tarmac minor road at SN 7048-1929, follow a well defined path, heading SW and pass to the south of a large shake-hole at SN 7009-1907. Then head West towards a fence-line and, finding the best ground, hand-rail, keeping to the south of the fence to gain the minor road by a 'sheep-fold' at SN 6914-1909. Continue along the minor road, in a South-westerly direction, for 2.4 kilometres, before turning right at the track leading to Brondai Farm at SN 6736-1802. Alternately after passing the shake hole at SN 7009-1907 continue along Pentir Blaencennen, taking a more westerly route from SN 6963 1865 (near a pond) towards the top of a gully (SN 6912 1862) and then west to an old enclosure and join the minor road (SN 6911 1862) that leads to Bronddai.

Navigation Tip

Day Seven is usually considered to be the most difficult leg of The Beacons Way to navigate, particularly in bad weather. With this in mind, shown below is a basic route-card for the most taxing section, which, hopefully, may ease some of the difficulties. GPS users may also be able to create 'Waypoints' from the information given and use accordingly. It should be stressed that weather conditions in this area can change for the worse very rapidly, at any time of the year, and great care should be taken at all times. To 'get lost' in the slippery maze of limestone crags, boulders and crevasses on Godre'r Garreg Las is not to be recommended. If in doubt, there is an alternative road-walk shown on the OS map and in the Route Guide (pages 114 - 115).

Route-Card for (part of) The Beacons Way Day Seven

Magnetic Bearing in Degrees	Destination	Grid Ref. SN	Distance in Km.	Ascent in metres	Time in minutes	Hints and Tips
-	Open Hill Gate	7809-2319	1.7	168	34	The route forward form the gate is not immediately apparent, but within 100 metres a definite track on the ground can be seen
182	Turn off Bridleway	7805-2177	1.6	189	34	On the approach to the turn off the bridleway, it should be noted that the track on the ground is some 50 metres West of that indicated on the maps.
224	Carreg yr Ogof Trig.	7777-2146	0.5	45	10	The Trig-point can be difficult to locate in reduced visibility, as it is surrounded by outcropping and quarry workings.
184	Cairn on Garreg Las	7774-2034	1.3	77	23	Keep slightly to the West to find the easiest route across the saddle between Carreg yr Ogaf and Garreg Las. There are two large limestone Cairns on Garreg las.
200	Turn off Godre Garreg Las	7712-1844	2.2	20	34	To avoid scrambling over slippery limestone, it is most important that the turning point off the Garreg Las ridge is located correctly.
281	Bridleway at Blaenllynfell	7659-1854	0.6	9	9	This can be a relatively sheltered spot, suitable for a refreshment break.
258	Foel Fraith	7565-1830	1.1	93	21	The summit of Foel Fraith is not obvious in bad weather, being a boggy plateau.
259	Garreg Lwyd Trig.	7403-1791	1.8	90	32	There is a well-defined path on the ascent of Garreg Lwyd, where a large Cairn as well as the Trig-point can be found.
318	A4069 crossing	7323-1875	1.5	6	23	If you have made it this far, you should have no difficulty with the rest of the day's walk!

The 'time' calculation shown assumes an average speed of 4kph with one minute added for every 20 metres of ascent.

Day Eight - Carreg Cennen to Llangadog

Incorrect Mapping and Text

The Route Guide (page 127) shows an optional diversion to look at the fine views from Trichrug at SN 6988-2293. The text (page 128) refers to a "permitted path" which, in fact, does not exist. There is no legal access to the summit of Trichrug.
OS map misleading at Garn Goch – the walker should leave the road at SN 6963 2423 and head towards Garn Goch, entering the site at SN 6944 2447.

The Brecon Beacons Park Society hope that these 'Hints and Tips' have made your journey along 'The Beacons Way' easier and more enjoyable. They are produced in good faith, but the Society is unable to take responsibility for any errors or omissions contained within which might lead to injury or distress.
The Society is always interested to receive updates on navigational or mapping difficulties along the route.
e-mail: cbarber010@aol.com or ben.sladen@aulden.plus.com

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