Hiking Pen y Fan has been on my bucket list since moving to the Uk. Here are 3 main reasons:
- A breathtaking view. I like to reach the peak with a panoramic view without anything disturbing my photos.
- Easy access — a 1.5 hours drive from north Bristol. It’s doable even for me, a slow-paced morning person, to depart home before 9am and arrive at around 10:30am.
- Convenient — a big car park with toilet facilities. A right place to wee is important.
Was It an Easy Hike?
As a normal fit leisure hiker, Pen y Fan is easy to hike, generally speaking. Along the way, we saw many kids and doggies who were enjoying their hiking, too!
There are hardly any stairs to climb, but big rocks need to be overcome, just a small part of it.
How Does It Like on the Peak?
‘Wow! A lot of people!’ That was my first reaction.
To wait for a photo like this:
Pen y Fan’s peak is a flat platform where you have ample space to sit, rest, have lunch, fly a kite, or a drone! (Yes, we saw that, annoyed like a fly following you)
I made a big pot of celeriac and beans bouillabaisse a day before, reheated it right before departure and stored it in a thermos. Having a hot and hearty lunch on a peak after a long hike brings happiness to me.
A Few Tips For You
Besides the general tips for hiking, I want to include a few more tips based on our recent experience.
- Bring a hat, and secure it on your head! It was incredibly windy up the hills (because of the open area), your hat (and your hair) are most likely to be flew away if you don’t take care.
- Followed by the above tips, don’t forget a wind parka. Remember: Wind makes you feel colder than the actual temperature.
- Quick-dry clothes are ideal. As wind blows and penetrates through your underlined clothes, you’ll feel cold.
- Prepare something to eat, anything. It takes at least 1.5 hours to climb up, and another similar duration to get back to the car park. This hike can leave you hungry if you try to conquer it with a barely half-full tummy. And, don’t be silly, there’s nothing sold on the peak.
- Get there early. Many people want a hike, too, when the sun shines, so the car park quickly got filled up. You can park on the side of the road though. Just bear in mind that if the police come to check then you’re screwed.
After Thoughts
‘So, do you like this hike?’ Curry Boy asked me.
‘Yes, but I like Cheddar Gorge more, I don’t know why.’ I recalled my memory.
Then he explained: In Cheddar Gorge, the change of landscape was much greater than here. We hiked up from the woods, then an amazing gorge view opened up. We went through the expectations. But here, you got out the car, then you saw the hill and climbed all the way up, without much changing of view.
I guess he’s right.
Pen y Fan is the highest peak we’ve climbed in the UK so far, but I like the least. Even the tiny hill Sugar Loaf is better. Including that in my steering for hiking, where should I hike next? Any ideas?
