Craig y Fan Ddu

The walk up Craig y Fan Ddu rewards you with views across the Brecon Beacons that genuinely take your breath away. You're looking at a proper moorland peak - rugged, windswept, and the kind of place where clouds roll across the ridges faster than you'd expect. Most people approach it from Storey Arms on the A470 between Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil, and it's a straightforward trudge rather than technical scrambling.

Allow two to three hours return, depending on fitness. The path climbs steeply through boggy terrain - waterproof boots are non-negotiable - but once you're up there, the 886-metre summit opens out to glimpses of Pen y Ghent and the darker cliffs of Fan Brycheiniog across the valley. It's less crowded than Pen y Fan, the higher neighbor everyone flocks to, which makes it worth the detour if you want some space.

Walkers absolutely get the most from this one. Families with younger kids might find the initial slog tedious, though teenagers who can handle an uphill push will appreciate the achievement. The boggy bits make it tiresome rather than dangerous, but don't underestimate how exposed it gets in wind.

There's no charge - it's open moorland - and you'll want proper weather to make the effort worthwhile. Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park sits just four miles away in Brecon, making it a sensible base for combining this walk with the broader Beacons exploration.