Mountain rank by height: 79 out of 188
Height: 2,359ft | 719m
Region: Brecon Beacons
Grid ref: SO036206

I know that Fan y Big has technically been downgraded to a hill, but as far as I’m concerned it was on the list of 188 mountains in Wales that I found online so I would still treat it as such. It is absolutely worth doing, and if you are walking the horseshoe I can see no reason to skirt around it.

The Beacons
Fan y Big, foreground, looking mountainous. | Minolta MD 35-70 @ 35mm, f11.

It has the famous diving board for a good photo opportunity for those of you feeling brave and in full control of your legs – the drop is big. I declined, I just wasn’t feeling it.

Fan Y Big
Fan y Big looking golden in the gentle sun. | Minolta MD 35-70 @ 35mm, f8.

There is also a shelter near the summit you can dive into.

Fan y Big
Shelter on Fan y Big. | Minolta MD 35-70 @ 35mm, f11.

The views from the summit of Cribyn Westwards are really something, and only convinces me that the anti-clockwise horseshoe is the best direction to walk it.

View from Fan y Big
Diving board and Cribyn. | Minolta MD 35-70 @ 35mm, f11.
Fan y Big ridgeway
An alternative way up or down Fan y Big, the ridgeway. | Minolta MD 35-70 @ 35mm, f11.
Fan y Big
Looking East from the ascent of Cribyn to the snaking stone path up Fan y Big. | Minolta MD 35-70 @ 35mm, f11.
Cribyn
As you descend Fan y Big you can see the ascent of Cribyn ahead. | Minolta MD 35-70 @ 35mm, f11.

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