Chwarel y Fan
679m (2228ft)
The Black Mountains, The Brecon Beacons, Monmouthshire, Wales
Chwarel y Fan is the highest point in the county of Monmouthshire.
Chwarel y Fan means 'Beacon of the Quarry' in Welsh and is pronounced 'choo-a-rel-ee-van'.
The summit of Chwarel y Fan is marked by a cairn.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10.25ml (16.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,093ft (638m) |
| Time: | 5.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Capel-y-ffin - Chwarel y Fan - Blacksmith's Anvil (stone) Twyn Talycefn - Rhos Dirion - Rhiw y Fan - Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob) - Darren Lwyd - Capel-y-ffin
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 14ml (22.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,808ft (856m) |
| Time: | 8 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Capel-y-ffin - The Offa's Dyke Path - Black Mountain (South Top) - Black Mountain - Hay Bluff - Gospel Pass - Twmpa (Lord Hereford's Knob) - Rhiw y Fan - Rhos Dirion - Twyn Talycefn - Blacksmith's Anvil - Chwarel y Fan - Capel-y-ffin
See Chwarel y Fan and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Chwarel y Fan and the surrounding tops on our downloadable Peak Bagging Map in PDF format:
NB: Whether you print off a copy or download it to your phone, this PDF Peak Baggers' Map might prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal.
You can find Chwarel y Fan & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps:
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (pink/magenta covers):
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Chwarel y Fan
Craig Barrell walked up on August 25th, 2025 [with] solo [weather] sunny
Melfyn Parry climbed it on April 9th, 2025 [from/via/route] Started walk from minor road at Capel y Ffin, followed route as described on PO116 Routs ascends to summit of Black Mountain (south top) which is also on the Offa's Dyke Path, then continues to Black Mountain. Path drops down before gently climbing to Hay Bluff & then a lovely walk along the ridge to drop down to Gospel Pass. Cross the road & continue on to Twmpa (here by lunchtime). Easy walking over to Rhos Dirion before turning sharp left to walk a long way to Chwarel y Fan. [with] On my own [weather] It was a lovely day. Breezy & cool at times & mostly sunny. - Excellent views in all directions. Lots of people around Hay Bluff & Twmpa but otherwise had the hills to myself.
Jonathan Morris bagged it on January 18th, 2024 [from/via/route] Llanthony Priory [with] Mi Madre [weather] Windy & Wet
Donovan Suddell hiked it on April 23rd, 2023 [from/via/route] Gospel Pass [with] Wife [weather] Sunny until 16:00 then cloudy, rain at the very end - Very long circuit including traversing two steep valleys
Mark Davidson summited on July 14th, 2003 [from/via/route] Walk po116 Black Mountain & Rhos Dirion from Capel-y-ffin [with] Theresa [weather] Warm & sunny - really good walking weather
Sion Britton conquered it on December 19th, 2021 [from/via/route] O Maes Parcio Gospel Pass. [with] Solo [weather] Clir/ Oer
Bleddyn Rhys scaled on May 13th, 2017 [from/via/route] Cylch sydyn o Gapel y Ffin i Chwarel y Fan a Twmpa. [with] ar ben fy hyn eto! [weather] Diwrnod braf gyda chydig o wynt. - Charity event ymlaen ryn diwrnod felly lot fawr o bobol ar ben Twmpa. Peint wedyn yn yr hen abaty!
Robert Shaw walked up on May 13th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Llanthony whilst doing the Black Mountain Challenge. [with] Alcester Gents Sports Club [weather] Wet & misty
Alan Smith climbed it on March 23rd, 2017 [from/via/route] Gospel pass [with] Matthew
Christina Lander bagged it on March 18th, 2015 [from/via/route] Capel-y-ffin - Black Mountain (South Top) - Black Mountain - Hay Bluff - Gospel Pass - Twmpa - Rhos Dirion - Twyn Talycefn - Chwarel y Fan - Capel-y-ffin [with] Dick [weather] Dry with sunny spells
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Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Chwarel y Fan
If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Chwarel y Fan to this page, please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to:
and we shall do our best to publish them.
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