This is an extended circular walk taking in an ancient Roman road (Sarn Helen) and extensive clifftop crag walking up to the summit of Craig Cerrig-gleisiad. The walk then takes you across open land to Fan Dringarth and the summit of Fan Llia, at 632m the highest point of the walk. You then descend back to the small car park via the Beacons Way.
The route starts at a free car park, Blaen Llia, which is a good-sized carpark next to the small river. I walked this route in the clockwise direction, but you could choose to walk it in reverse. To follow the clockwise direction you start by walking back up the track that takes you into the car park and you pick up the road again, heading North on it.
The road is reasonably quiet, with easy verges to step onto if you need to get out of the way of cars. You will get nice views up and down the valley from the off, with the mountains on Fan Nedd on your left and Fan Llia on your right.
You will also be following the route of the small river as you walk, it twists and turns and gets close to the road every now and then so you can head down for a photo or to filter some water if needed.
After around 1.8 miles you’ll see the Sarn Helen Roman road breaking off heading North-East, you can now follow this ancient track for quite a while and it winds and dips its way through the valley.
Views will start to open up past Fan Nedd and you’ll see the majestic sweep of Fan Gihirych in the distance. The path crosses the odd little stream and in wetter months there are some pretty decent little waterfalls and even a little plunge pool just off the track.
Eventually you’ll get close to a valley, this walk does not take you down into that valley, instead it turns sharply right and up a steep ascent next to an old stone wall and more modern fence. This tracks the craggy side of Craig Cwm-du which you will occasionally get some good views of.
As you gain height the views West continue to open up as you look back. When you reach the top of the ascent the views East also open up, you’ll now see Fan Fawr, Corn Du and Pen y Fan, along with Fan Frynach.
The path continues along the fence until you reach the craggy edge of Craig Cerrid-glesiad. Here you turn right, ascending up to the 629m summit of Craig Cerrid-glesiad. The summit is marked by a small stone cairn and offers great views of the surrounding mountains and Brecon to the North. It is a fine spot for a sunrise.
From the summit you head West, following a path that starts at the stone cairn. It is easy too follow and takes you closer to the walk up at one point, but you keep left and gradually bear left as you ascend up to the top of the ridgeway.
From here you can continue on the path as it heads South, along the top of the gradual ascent to Fan Dringarth. Views are great all the while in every direction.
After passing Fan Dringarth you continue on to a very small pile of stones that marks the second mountain on the route and the highest point, the 632m summit of Fan Llia. You can soak up some more views before continuing South, descending to an impressive and photogenic stone cairn.
As you continue descending the path becomes less distinct, and there seems to be a few paths you can follow. They all meet up in places and eventually become one again as you near the car park. This is because there is a small bridge to cross to get you back to a stone track, from which it is a very short walk back to the car.
A fine walk, far enough from the madding crowds of Pen y Fan to offer you solitude and beauty in equal measure.