Bannau Brycheiniog

19th-22nd February (Chwefror) 2026

Staying at Tyle Morgrug (Cynon Valley Cottage and Bunkhouse) there was snow on higher ground when the eight of us arrived but over the time we were there this largely disappeared as it turned milder and wet with some strong winds.

Walking from the centre on Friday we took in the full waterfalls walk including Sgwd y Eira which was spectacular after the recent heavy rain, but you could still walk behind it.  The information centre/café at Porth of Ogof provided a welcome shelter from the elements. Lots of mud to get to the Nedd Fechan to complete the walk despite a path closed sign and the sun came out.

On Saturday forecast for higher ground did not look good with low cloud so we did a circular walk from Ystradfellte towards Fan Lila passing a restored lime kiln before turning SW along Sarn Helen an old Roman road and sheltering by some old ruins and trees from the rain for lunch and recovering from the waterlogged and more muddy paths before some tricky navigation back to Ystradfellte.

Sunday proved to be the best day for weather, and we walked from NW corner of Pontsticill reservoir back to the village of the same name through the woods.  A brief shower and then the sun came out as we crossed the dam and headed NE to find the Ystrad Stone in Cwm Criban and lunch with views to the Bannau Brycheiniog ridge.  Cross country back to the Brecon Mountain Railway to return to our cars for the journey home.

Michael Merritt

Trip organiser