Out and about in the Brecon Beacons/Bannau Brycheiniog (February 2026)

Ten Ibexers journeyed to Nant Ddu in the Brecon Beacons (or Bannau Brycheiniog) on Friday 13^th with the only bad luck being the very wet underfoot conditions experienced by early arrivals Gusta, Rod, Lucy and Elizabeth on their afternoon walk. By the Friday early evening the rain had turned to snow as we walked down from the bunkhouse to the Nant Ddu Lodge for a very tasty meal.

We awoke to a clear, dry, cold and sunny Saturday with a dusting of snow on the hills. David, led us  directly from the bunkhouse following a trail past Coed Owen bunkhouse and farm.

Leaving the bunkhouse

After the hardstanding finished it was a steep schlep up the side of the valley to one of the ridges forming one side of the Pen y Fan horseshoe.

Schlepping up the Nant Ddu valley

The scenery was simply stunning and we all felt incredibly lucky, despite the considerable amount of bog hopping we had to do on the ridge.

Unfortunately Lucy fell in one above her knee but her hot feet had dried her socks before the end of the walk! Having ascended via a less popular route we got the ridge all to ourselves almost until we reached the caterpillar of people ascending the peak from Storey’s Arm car park. Whilst still on our quiet ridge we were treated to a natural ice sculpture garden. Somehow layers of ice had formed over each strand of plants and the wind had shaped water into ice as it was blown over the edge of the ridge. A unique and beautiful sight.

Ice formations on Graig Fan Ddu

Feeling in awe of nature we joined the busy main trail and ascended Corn Ddu  (873m)

Approaching Corn Ddu

and then on up to Pen y Fan (886m) with a good view of the whole horseshoe.

Lunch on Pen y Fan

However, our circular walk for the day took us down to the Storey Arms car park and then back home along a very boggy Taff Trail past 2 reservoirs and back to Nant Ddu village.

Susan, who had to stay at home with a broken ankle, had procured some prosecco for us (for Valentine’s Day) after which we all enjoyed a tasty and filling homecooked meal and good company.

Prosecco time at the bunkhouse

Sunday morning we all woke to steady heavy rain. Karen had decided after Saturday’s walk that her knees weren’t up to a repeat performance on Sunday and got a lift from Nigel to Brecon for a very enjoyable highlights tour of the town and lunch before meeting a friend living nearby. David, Susan, Ann and Nigel avoided the rain and drove straight home. However, Gusta, Rod, Lucy, Elizabeth and Julia braved the weather for a low level walk on the Beacons and were rewarded with dry and sunny patches after the soggy start and good views.

A highly enjoyable weekend! With thanks to Clive and Susan and David for organising, David and Gusta and Elizabeth for leading walks, Nigel, Susan and Gusta and Rod for the catering and everyone for good company.