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.
You can find Chwarel y Fan & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):
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 PDF Peak Bagging Map:
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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
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Chwarel y Fan
Melfyn Parry walked up Chwarel y Fan 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 climbed Chwarel y Fan on January 18th, 2024 [from/via/route] Llanthony Priory [with] Mi Madre [weather] Windy & Wet
Donovan Suddell bagged Chwarel y Fan 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 hiked Chwarel y Fan 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 summited Chwarel y Fan on December 19th, 2021 [from/via/route] O Maes Parcio Gospel Pass. [with] Solo [weather] Clir/ Oer
Bleddyn Rhys conquered Chwarel y Fan 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 scaled Chwarel y Fan 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 walked up Chwarel y Fan on March 23rd, 2017 [from/via/route] Gospel pass [with] Matthew
Christina Lander climbed Chwarel y Fan 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
Vince Wetton bagged Chwarel y Fan on October 10th, 2014 [from/via/route] Po116 [with] RTM [weather] Sunny with showers - Long but satisfying walk
Robert Taylor-Marriott hiked Chwarel y Fan on October 10th, 2014 [from/via/route] Route 63: South Top, Black Mountain, Twmpa, Rhos Dirion, Chwarel y Fan (CB). [with] Vince Wetton and Robert Taylor-Marriott. [weather] Sunny, cloudy & light rain.
Tim Buckley summited Chwarel y Fan on September 14th, 2013 [from/via/route] po116. Started from Gospel Pass car park as two lunatic dogs were loose in Capel-y-ffin. [with] Solo walk. [weather] Sunny spells, strong winds at this point - it is quite exposed. - Great summit, well worth the walk. Views of the Bristol Channel & Waun Fach to the west. Trail bikes have cut up the paths considerably from Rhos Dirion to Chwarel y Fan. Reached this point at about 12.30 having set off from the car park at 9.45am.
David Lane conquered Chwarel y Fan on August 14th, 2008 [with] Kelly
Steve Gilmore scaled Chwarel y Fan on November 17th, 2012 [from/via/route] from Cappel Y Ffin [with] Mark Gilmour & Steve Taylor [weather] a bit of Sun, wind, rain & mist - Great walk
Victoria Bates walked up Chwarel y Fan on July 14th, 2012 [from/via/route] po148
Ray O'hara climbed Chwarel y Fan on May 16th, 2012 [from/via/route] Capel-y-finn, Black Mountain & Twmpa
Michael Rygol, Louise Sandwith, John Cuthbert, Paul Booth, Trevor Williams, David Price, Matthew Thomas and Richard Penney have all walked, climbed & bagged Chwarel y Fan.To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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