Start: Parked by manure heap lay-by off A4067 SN 85180 17366
Distance: 23k
Duration: 6.5 hours
Direction: Following top of ridge NNW to 802, then WSW along side of ridge to 677; then descending to Llyn and following trail roughly in reverse at bottom of ridge, giving a different view ENE then SSE (see OS Maps below).
Description: Circuit of western Black Mountain in Brecon Beacons. I had not been here before, and planned a route using OS maps taking me along the top of the ridge, around and down to the reservoir and back underneath the ridge giving me a good view of the rock formations. Total 1311m ascent, including Bryn Brycheiniog at 802. Lots of changes in temperature/ how it felt due to sun going in and out, changes in height and direction, so lots of stops to take off and put on layers - something I have not always got right in the past but made a point of trying to get right this time. I had actually reorganised my back pack with everything in little labelled stuff bags, including a full change of clothes and change of coat/ waterproofs and hat and 2 pairs of gloves (which can be worn one on top of the other if need be) thereby giving the most flexibility for protection from the elements. In the event I only needed one coat for part of the day and one pair of gloves for part of the day. I was also scoping this walk as a possible Outdoorlads walk: distance was OK, last bit rather rocky making a more difficult end but OK, but main problem car parking for a group in this area.
Area :
Black Mountain
The Black Mountain (Welsh: Y Mynydd Du) is a mountain range in South and West Wales, straddling the county boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys and forming the westernmost range of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its highest point is Fan Brycheiniog at 802 metres or 2,631 ft. The Black Mountain also forms a part of the recently created Fforest Fawr Geopark.
