First Image
Second Image More images
More (2)
Home> Walks> Wales> Powys> Waun Fach from the Grwyne Fawr Valley

Waun Fach from the Grwyne Fawr Valley

Recommended by
Our view
"Take the easiest way on to the highest ground in the Black Mountains above the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir."
Walk directions

TTake the broad track at the far end of the car park and follow it out on to the road. Turn right to continue up the valley then, after about 30yds (27m), fork right on to a stony track that runs along the bottom of the forest. Follow this track ignoring a fork off to right and continue through two gates to a third gate, by a stand of trees, situated above the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir.

Keeping the trees to your left, carry on past the reservoir and up the valley. Go through another gate and continue until the track finally fords the Grwyne Fawr stream. Stay on the stony track, which now peters out to become grassy for a while before deepening into an obvious rut. Continue on to the flat ground above the steep northern escarpment, where the path meets a fence by a stile on your right.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Clear tracks over open moorland, one indistinct path over boggy ground, steep descent
  Landscape  - Rolling moorland, deep valleys
  Dog friendliness  - Care needed near sheep
  Parking  - Car park at head of lane at start
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Powys Dog-friendly walks in Powys
About the walk
The high ground of the Black Mountains consists of a 1-mile (1.6km) long, blunt and boggy ridge that runs between the two high points of Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr. Waun Fach sneaks the gold medal for altitude; at 2,661ft (811m), it stands a less than obvious 36ft (11m) above its shapelier...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
The largest unitary authority in Wales, Powys covers an area of approximately 2,000 square miles. Much of that is mountainous because it actually has the lowest population density of all the Welsh counties.
Explore Powys
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
The Bear
★★★★
awardaward
"Traditional inn, successfully mixing old and new...."
  • Rooms 34
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Caravan & Camping
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
★★★★
award
"Riverside park just minutes from town...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Shop onsite
  • Wifi available
Caravan & Camping
Lakeside Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Great location for watersport enthusiasts...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Picnic Area
Nearby places to stay
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
Within a few minutes' walk of the river and town centre with its excellent shopping and eating choices, is this all-level park. It is surrounded by mature hedges and trees to create pri...
★★★★    Rating
Lakeside Caravan Park
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and set close to Llangorse Lake, with mooring and launching facilities, Lakeside Caravan Park is a must-do holiday destination for lovers of outdoor ...
★★★★    Rating
Anchorage Caravan Park
Anchorage Caravan Park is a well-maintained site with a choice of south-facing, sloping grass pitches and superb views of the Black Mountains, or a more sheltered lower area with a numb...
★★★★    Rating
Poston Mill Park
Poston Mill Park is west of Herefordshire under the foothills of the Black Mountain in the Golden Valley. Hard-standing pitches are available all year round, suitable for caravans, moto...
★★★★★    Rating
The Old Black Lion Inn
This fine old coaching inn, with a history stretching back several centuries, has a wealth of charm and character. It was occupied by Oliver Cromwell during the siege of Hay Castle. Pri...
★★★★    Rating
Wernddu Caravan Park
Located north of the town centre, this former fruit farm, adjacent to a golf club and driving range, is managed by three generations of the same family, and has been transformed into an...
★★★★    Rating
The Angel Hotel
Once a coaching inn and set in the very centre of Abergavenny, The Angel Hotel has long been a popular venue, with foodie credentials to spare. There's also a relaxed bar and a Oak Room...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Bear
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Bear
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
L'école des Amis
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
4hrs
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Hard

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
9.25 miles (14.9kms)

Ascent:
2000ft (610m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Powys
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
Find more walks in Powys

Waun Fach from the Grwyne Fawr Valley

Recommended by
Our view
"Take the easiest way on to the highest ground in the Black Mountains above the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir."
Walk details
4hrs
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Hard
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
9.25 miles (14.9kms)
Ascent:
2000ft (610m)
Walk directions

TTake the broad track at the far end of the car park and follow it out on to the road. Turn right to continue up the valley then, after about 30yds (27m), fork right on to a stony track that runs along the bottom of the forest. Follow this track ignoring a fork off to right and continue through two gates to a third gate, by a stand of trees, situated above the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir.
1 of 6

Keeping the trees to your left, carry on past the reservoir and up the valley. Go through another gate and continue until the track finally fords the Grwyne Fawr stream. Stay on the stony track, which now peters out to become grassy for a while before deepening into an obvious rut. Continue on to the flat ground above the steep northern escarpment, where the path meets a fence by a stile on your right.
2 of 6

Turn left on to a clear track and then, after 100yds (91m), turn left again by a tiny cairn on to a faint grassy track that leads up the front of a blunt spur. Follow this over numerous peaty hollows to the summit plateau of Waun Fach, easily identified by a large concrete block.
3 of 6

Continue on in the same direction (southeast) across a large expanse of boggy ground. There’s no clear path on this section, but there are usually plenty of footprints in the wet ground leading towards the obvious cairn-topped peak of Pen y Gadair Fawr, at the far end of the ridge. In the saddle between the two summits, you’ll pick up a faint path that initially follows the eroded line of a stream.
4 of 6

The path improves as it continues, eventually leaving the stream behind and making a beeline for the peak ahead. Climb to the cairn, then continue in the same direction to drop steeply. Here you are faced with a plethora of unhelpfully brief paths vying for your attention. Take one of the middle ones, heading southeast towards what was the edge of the forest. Most of the trees have been harvested here, leaving rows of stumps. Make your way to the fence at the edge of the forested area and turn left along it.
5 of 6

Take particular care here because the path drops steeply down the hillside as it hugs the fence to its right. The path follows the fence all the way down to the river, crossing a stream on the way. At the river, turn right. Continue along the river bank for about 400yds (366m), then cross the bridge to the road. Turn right on to this to return to the car park.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Clear tracks over open moorland, one indistinct path over boggy ground, steep descent
  Landscape - Rolling moorland, deep valleys
  Dog friendliness - Care needed near sheep
  Parking - Car park at head of lane at start
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Powys Dog-friendly walks in Powys
About the walk
The high ground of the Black Mountains consists of a 1-mile (1.6km) long, blunt and boggy ridge that runs between the two high points of Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr. Waun Fach sneaks the gold medal for altitude; at 2,661ft (811m), it stands a less than obvious 36ft (11m) above its shapelier...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Powys
The largest unitary authority in Wales, Powys covers an area of approximately 2,000 square miles. Much of that is mountainous because it actually has the lowest population density of all the Welsh counties.
Explore Powys

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
The Bear
★★★★
awardaward
"Traditional inn, successfully mixing old and new...."
  • Rooms 34
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Caravan & Camping
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
★★★★
award
"Riverside park just minutes from town...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Shop onsite
  • Wifi available
Caravan & Camping
Lakeside Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Great location for watersport enthusiasts...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Picnic Area
Nearby places to stay
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
Within a few minutes' walk of the river and town centre with its excellent shopping and eating choices, is this all-level park. It is surrounded by mature hedges and trees to create pri...
★★★★    Rating
Lakeside Caravan Park
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and set close to Llangorse Lake, with mooring and launching facilities, Lakeside Caravan Park is a must-do holiday destination for lovers of outdoor ...
★★★★    Rating
Anchorage Caravan Park
Anchorage Caravan Park is a well-maintained site with a choice of south-facing, sloping grass pitches and superb views of the Black Mountains, or a more sheltered lower area with a numb...
★★★★    Rating
Poston Mill Park
Poston Mill Park is west of Herefordshire under the foothills of the Black Mountain in the Golden Valley. Hard-standing pitches are available all year round, suitable for caravans, moto...
★★★★★    Rating
The Old Black Lion Inn
This fine old coaching inn, with a history stretching back several centuries, has a wealth of charm and character. It was occupied by Oliver Cromwell during the siege of Hay Castle. Pri...
★★★★    Rating
Wernddu Caravan Park
Located north of the town centre, this former fruit farm, adjacent to a golf club and driving range, is managed by three generations of the same family, and has been transformed into an...
★★★★    Rating
The Angel Hotel
Once a coaching inn and set in the very centre of Abergavenny, The Angel Hotel has long been a popular venue, with foodie credentials to spare. There's also a relaxed bar and a Oak Room...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Bear
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Bear
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
L'école des Amis
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby