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.
Not familiar with this top?
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8.25ml (13km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,942ft (592m) |
| Time: | 5 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Blaen y Glyn - Craig y Fan Ddu - Gwaun Cerrig Llwydion (Bwlch y Ddwyallt) - Craig Cwareli - Craig Cwmoergwm - Fan y Big - Bwlch ar y Fan - Roman Road - The Taff Trail - Blaen y Glyn
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8.5ml (13.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,539ft (774m) |
| Time: | 5.75hrs |
| Grade: | (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Pont y Caniedydd - Afon Cynrig - Bailea - Cwm Cynwyn Farm - Bryn Teg - Cribyn - Bwlch ar y Fan - Fan y Big - Cefn Cyff - Nant Cynrig - Cwmcynwyn - Pont y Caniedydd
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10ml (16km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,850ft (869m) |
| Time: | 6½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Lower Neuadd Reservoir - Bwlch ar y Fan - Fan y Big - Cribyn - Pen y Fan - (Penyfan) - Corn Du - Bwlch Duwynt - Craig Gwaun Taf (Bwlch Duwynt) - Graig Fan Ddu - Twyn Mwyalchod - Lower Neuadd Reservoir
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10.5ml (17km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,256ft (992m) |
| Time: | 7.25hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Nant Cwm Llwch - Brecon - Llyn Cwm Llwch - Tommy Jones Obelisk - Craig Cwm Llwch - Corn Du - Pen y Fan - (Penyfan) - Craig Cwm Sere - Cribyn - Craig Cwm Cynwyn - Fan y Big - Bailea - Afon Cynrig - Pant - Plas-y-gaer - Nant Gwdi - Heolfanog - Cil-rhew - Pont Rhydybetws - Nant Cwm Llwch
See Fan y Big and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
The Brecon Beacons Area of Bannau Brycheiniog (The Brecon Beacons National Park)
Less data - quicker to download
The Whole of Bannau Brycheiniog (The Brecon Beacons National Park)
More data - might take a little longer to download
See Fan y Big 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 Fan y Big & 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 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
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Fan y Big
Me striding out across Craig Cwmoergwm with Corn Du (centre - distance), Pen y Fan, Cribyn amd Fan y Big (far right).
Craig Cwm Cynwyn, Cribyn, Craig Cwm Sere, Pen y Fan and Corn Du from Fan y Big
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.
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You can also submit photos via our Facebook Page.
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