Trans Bannau Brycheiniog (Beacons) Journey

The Route

Day 1 – Llandeilo to Ystrafellte, Approx 55km with 1600m of Ascent/Descent.

We start our route with a mellow ride to warm the legs up to get onto the ridge to follow a mixture of quiet country lanes & byways to Llanddeusant.  From here it is up onto open moorland as we cross the wild Black Mountain range, before dropping into the Swansea Valley at Glyntawe.  We then cross the valley, climb over Fforest Fawr then the join a short section of the Sarn Helen byway before ending day one at the New Inn in Ystradfellte.

Day 2 – Ystradfellte to Talybont, Approx 50km with 1000m of Ascent/Descent.

On day two we take on two of Wales most iconic routes!  Firstly, we re-join Sarn Helen, an ancient byway named after Helen, a Welsh Princess who married Emperor Maximilian of Rome. This will take us to the outskirts of Brecon & on to the central Beacons where we cross though the mountains on The Gap route.  From here its down into the Taff Fechan valley & up over the moors, before we descend all the way down to our second overnight location in Talybont.

Day 3 – Talybont to Pandy, Approx 45km with 100m of Ascent/Descent.

Our final day we cross the beautiful Usk Valley, head up onto Mynydd Llangors & encounter some super flowy singletrack. We loop around the back of Mynydd Troed & cross from the Central Beacons range into the Black Mountains.  A mixture of lanes & bridleways will take us to the base of Y Das where we climb to the top of the northern escarpment.  We now enter the final leg of the journey as we descend the Grwyne Fawr valley on an old cart track through the heather & babbling stream crossings, then we join forest tracks & quiet country lanes to the end.

Once back at the carpark, there will be an opportunity to clean bike & grab a shower. We will gather in the pub for a celebratory glass of bubbly & a late lunch, then say our goodbyes & look forward the next big adventure together!