Powys/Brecon Beacons

The Brecon Beacons (Welsh: Bannau Brycheiniog) are a mountain range located in the south-east of Wales. They form the nucleus of the Brecon Beacons National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog), one of Wales's three National Parks. There are a huge number of things going on in the National Park throughout the year, ranging from the internationally known Brecon Jazz or Hay Literature Festival to open days, guided walks and activities organised by the National Park Authority.

The Brecon Beacons range consists of the mountains to the south of Brecon. The highest of these is Pen y Fan (886 m); other notable summits include Corn Du (873 m), Cribyn (795 m), and Fan y Bîg (719 m). These summits form a long ridge which forms a horseshoe around the head of the Taf Fechan river to the south-east, with long parallel spurs extending to the north-east. The round of the Taf Fechan skyline forms a popular ridge walk known as the 'Beacons Horseshoe'. Many other fine walks exist but the mountains are well known for swift changes in weather conditions. The Brecon Beacons are so named after ancient practice of lighting signal fires (beacons) on the mountains to warn of attacks by the English.

The National Park was established in 1957, the last of the three Welsh parks (Snowdonia was first in 1951). It covers 519 square miles (1344 km²), significantly more than the Brecon Beacons themselves, stretching from Llandeilo in the west to Hay-on-Wye in the east. It encompasses the ranges confusingly named the Black Mountains (in the east of the park, on the border with England) and the Black Mountain (in the west). The area to the west of the Brecon Beacons range is known as the Fforest Fawr (Great Forest), and was designated a geopark by UNESCO in 2005. Most of the national park is moorland, with some forestry plantations, and pasture in the valleys.

Fabulous castles, deep showcaves and fascinating museums will enthral young and old alike. Discover history in ancient hill-forts and burial sites, Roman Roads and heritage centres.

The World Heritage Site at Blaenavon is developing fast with many landmarks of the Industrial Revolution now accessible. At Big Pit, you can actually go down a coal mine guided by men who until recently earned their living literally at the coalface.