Nuttall Icon

Fan y Big
716m (2351ft)

The Brecon Beacons Area, The Brecon Beacons, Powys, Wales

Fan y Big was removed from the list of Welsh Hewitts (Welsh Mountains) due to insufficient prominence - August, 2018

Fan y Big means 'Beacon of the Beak' in Welsh and is pronounced 'van-uh-beeg' (disappointingly for some).

The summit of Fan y Big is marked by a stone slab resembling a diving board.


Record Fan y Big as Bagged, Climbed & Conquered


Welsh Nuttall Icon

Welsh Nuttall
79th highest in Wales,
189th in England & Wales

You can find Fan y Big & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)

The Brecon Beacons National Park


1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):

OL12 Brecon Beacons National Park - Western & Central areas


1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):

160 Brecon Beacons


See Fan y Big and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:

See Fan y Big and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Map:


Not familiar with Fan y Big?

See the location of Fan y Big and all 4 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map


You can walk to the top of Fan y Big by using any of these 4 easy‑to‑follow route maps:
Walking Boot Print Icon

Walk po131 Bwlch y Ddwyallt and Fan y Big from Blaen y Glyn

The finest ridge walk in the Brecon Beacons

Walk GPS Icon
Walk GPX Icon
Walk PDF Icon

Vital Statistics:

Length: 8.25ml (13km)
Ascent:1,942ft (592m)
Time:5 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
Walking Boot Print Icon

Walk po146 Cribyn and Fan y Big from Pont y Caniedydd

Superb ridge walk - pick a clear day

Walk GPS Icon
Walk GPX Icon
Walk PDF Icon

Vital Statistics:

Length: 8.5ml (13.5km)
Ascent:2,539ft (774m)
Time:5.75hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
Walking Boot Print Icon

Walk po127 Fan y Big, Cribyn, Pen y Fan and Corn Du from Neuadd Reservoir

Unsurpassed views from this high level route - pick a clear day

Walk GPS Icon
Walk GPX Icon
Walk PDF Icon

Vital Statistics:

Length: 10ml (16km)
Ascent:2,850ft (869m)
Time:6½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
Walking Boot Print Icon

Walk po169 Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big from Nant Cwm Llwch nr Brecon

Simply fantastic - but pick a nice clear day

Walk GPS Icon
Walk GPX Icon
Walk PDF Icon

Vital Statistics:

Length: 10.5ml (17km)
Ascent:3,256ft (992m)
Time:7.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)

Other walkers who hiked, climbed, bagged and summited Fan y Big Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Fan y Big

Melfyn Parry walked up Fan y Big on September 4th, 2024 [from/via/route] Started walk from car park in the Tar Fechan forest, SO 036170. Tarmac road taken up to Lower Neuadd reservoir, which is now disused, crossed a footbridge & climbed up the grassy slope to reach the ridge at a cairn SO 019182, turned right & followed easy path for about 2 miles to reach the summit of Craig Gwaun Taf. From here it is an easy walk to the top of Corn Du & then Pen y Fan (about 25mins to gain the two tops). From Pen y Fan dropped down steep path to meet Beacons Way & then steep ascent to the top of Cribyn. Turned right & followed ridge, along Cambrian Way to Bwlch ar y Fan before another steep path up to Fan y Big. From here continue along ridge to the junction of the path back to Bwlch y Fan along Craig Cwmoergwm. From this junction I dropped down the grassy slope to the Roman Road at SO 034196 & followed the path back to the car park. [with] On my own [weather] Cool breeze with sunny spells & dry. Excellent visibility. - A really nice walk, would definitely do this one again. Stunning views.

Sion Britton climbed Fan y Big on December 12th, 2020 [from/via/route] Fan y Big o Blaen y Glyn Uchaf. [with] Rhiannon [weather] Showers & Cool.

Marcelle Allman bagged Fan y Big on October 27th, 2019 [from/via/route] The Horseshoe walk

Andy Buxton hiked Fan y Big during May, 2011 [from/via/route] From Neuadd reservoir

Kimberley Gratton summited Fan y Big on July 22nd, 2019 [from/via/route] Horseshoe Trail - Mountain Mist

Mary Norris has conquered Fan y Big [from/via/route] Walk po131, starting from Blaen y Glyn carpark. [with] Sue Davies and Betsie! [weather] Dry, warm & sunny though cool in places. - Fab walk, worth the effort to get to the diving-board!

Andrew Joss scaled Fan y Big on August 27th, 2017 [from/via/route] Pont Ar Daf car park [with] Barbara, Pip, Mick & Benson [weather] Dull then sunny

Lucy Perchard walked up Fan y Big on August 22nd, 2017 [from/via/route] Neuadd Reservoir [with] Mum, Dad and Tony [weather] Overcast & windy; Cribyn, Pen Y Fan & Corn Du in cloud so decided to save them for another day

Dianne Graham climbed Fan y Big on June 8th, 2017 [from/via/route] Upper Car Park near Talybont reservoir [with] Kieran [weather] Mixed. Low cloud, touch of rain.. sun peeking out

Robert Shaw bagged Fan y Big on May 14th, 2010 [from/via/route] Classic horseshoe walk [with] The usual crew [weather] Clear

To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record

. . . [see more walk reports]



Not familiar with Fan y Big?

See the location of Fan y Big and all 4 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map


More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Fan y Big

On the summit of Fan y Big

On the summit of Fan y Big

Photo: Alex Oldridge (5)

Craig Cwm Cynwyn, Cribyn, Craig Cwm Sere, Pen y Fan and Corn Du from Fan y Big

Craig Cwm Cynwyn, Cribyn, Craig Cwm Sere, Pen y Fan and Corn Du from Fan y Big

Photo: Jane Thomas (2)

On the summit of Fan y Big

On the summit of Fan y Big

Photo: Jane Thomas (1)

The obligatory diving board photo on Fan y Big with Cribyn beyond

The obligatory diving board photo on Fan y Big with Cribyn beyond

Photo: Alex Oldridge (4)

Me striding out across Craig Cwmoergwm with Corn Du (centre - distance), Pen y Fan, Cribyn amd Fan y Big (far right).

Me striding out across Craig Cwmoergwm with Corn Du (centre - distance), Pen y Fan, Cribyn amd Fan y Big (far right).

Photo: Steph Burton (2)

Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan from Cefn Cyff

Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan from Cefn Cyff

Photo: David Thompson (2)

Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan from Brecon

Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan from Brecon

Photo: David Thompson (1)

Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan from Cefn Cyff

Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan from Cefn Cyff

Photo: David Thompson (3)

Cribyn with Pen Y Fan beyond from Fan y Big

Cribyn with Pen Y Fan beyond from Fan y Big

Photo: Paul Holroyd (28)

Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big from Craig Cwareli

Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big from Craig Cwareli

Photo: Alex Oldridge (6)

Cribyn (left) and Fan y Big from Neuadd Reservoir

Cribyn (left) and Fan y Big from Neuadd Reservoir

Photo: Paul Holroyd (34)


Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Fan y Big

If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Fan y Big 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.

(Guide Resolution = 300dpi. At least = 660pixels (wide) x 440 pixels (high).)

Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Fan y Big via Facebook

You can also submit photos via our Facebook Page.

NB. Please indicate where each photo was taken.



Not familiar with Fan y Big?

See the location of Fan y Big and all 4 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map



Do not miss our pick of the Best Walks in the UK


Follow go4awalk.com on Twitter Follow go4awalk.com on Facebook


Home






Find new Friends to go walking with

Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 Walks. Download GPS Waypoints - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk - All the Latest Route Information, GPS Waypoints and Split Times to keep you on Schedule

Walk The British Three Peaks Challenge Walk - All the Latest Route Information and GPS Waypoints

See our pick of The Best Walks in The Lake District - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of the Best Lake District Ridge Walks - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of the Best Lake District Walks to do in the rain - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Snowdonia - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Ridge Walks in Wales - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Brecon Beacons - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Yorkshire Dales - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Peak District - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in The Forest of Bowland - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Shropshire - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Cheshire - Walks you must not miss!

Walk our pick of The Best Walks in Lancashire - Walks you must not miss!

Not sure where to walk next? Try Peak Bagging - Great Walks you must not miss!

Not sure where to walk next? Walk part of a National Trail - Great Walks you must not miss!

Walks with Downloadable and Uploadable GPS Waypoint Data

Walking Kit and Gear Tested by Walkers

Full Site Search