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A Self-Guided Walk from the Brecon Beacons Park Society

Start the walk from the Blaen-y-glyn car park [Grid Reference SO 0564-1760] which is off the north side of the Merthyr Tydfil to Talybont-on-Usk road.
Walk back out of the car park for a few metres and turn right onto the path just before a pretty waterfall. The route now follows a fence line on your right and a series of beautiful waterfalls on your left. 
As this is a very popular route onto the summits of the Central Beacons (and is part of the Beacons Way) the National Park Authority has carried out considerable work in maintaining the track which has helped to reduce erosion by our footsteps.
The path now steepens as it ascends Craig y Fan Ddu to gain the brow of this spur [0542-1834] of the main Beacons escarpment. 
You will be happy to learn that by this point you have already completed most of the ascent in the route! So pause to enjoy the spectacular view with Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid to the East and the summits of Corn Du and Pen y Fan coming into view to the North West.
Follow the eastern edge of the escarpment with the valley of the Caerfanell on your right. In about 0.8km (0.8 miles) you will reach the cleft in the escarpment [0503-1920] caused by the Caerfanell as it cascades down the cliffs in a dramatic waterfall. 
On the few occasions in winter when it freezes it is a truly magnificent sight.
Take care on the edges if you are trying for that perfect photograph, as they are rather crumbly.
Walk round the top of the waterfall and, after negotiating some boggy ground, continue along the cliff edge now called Graig Fan Las 
On the other side of the valley, below the northern end of the cliffs of Cwar y Gigfran there is a war memorial where a Wellington bomber crashed during World War II. Sadly all of the Canadian crew were killed. They are remembered by a plaque and by red poppies which are brought to the crash site every Armistice Day by a group organised by local historian Peter Jones.
After about 1.6km (1 mile) you will join the main Beacons escarpment at Bwlch y Ddwyallt. Turn left at the Bwlch [0575-2063], heading south-west, and follow the main escarpment with the cliffs above Cwm Cwareli on your right. Continue round above Cwm Cwareli then along Craig Cwareli. 
The old quarry workings on your right [0394-1975], just as you start to descend Craig Oergwm, make a fine sheltered viewpoint for a break.
Descend from Craig Oergwm and bear right at the shallow bwlch at the end of Craig Cwmoergwm [0370-2008] where there is further evidence of old quarry workings, and continue to follow the escarpment edge to Fan y Big [0364-2064].
Take care on the way round the main escarpment as there are considerable drops on your right.

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