A moderate route in Brecon Beacons. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: Car park alongside Talybont Reservoir (SO 099 196)
Terrain: Clear paths, fairly steep climbs, steep ridge, cwm edge path (amazing views, drops into valley), steep descent, marshy ground section, lanes, field paths.
This is an outstanding circular walk in the Brecon Beacons combining the Allt Lwyd Nuttall with the Waun Rydd plateau, taking in two sites of significant historical interest. The fairly steep climb along Talybont Forest leads to the Allt Lwyd ridge with great views, though better ones await. The steep ridge climb continues to the dramatic cwm edge path offering amazing views of drops into the valley on your left and spectacular vistas ahead towards Pen y Fan and Corn Du. The poignant Wellington bomber crash site commemorates the five Canadian airmen who perished here on 6th July 1942 when their training flight descended through thick cloud and crashed at Cwar y Gigfran. The memorial and scattered plane remains provide a sobering reminder of this tragedy, with the crew buried far from home in Hereford cemetery. The ascent to Waun Rydd rewards with 360-degree views despite its pitiful cairn. Carn Pica Cairn, a splendid modern cairn probably built on an ancient burial site, marks the most easterly tip of the main Brecon Beacons ridge. The return involves a steep descent, a little marshy ground, and a series of lane turns before field paths lead back to the reservoir. An exceptional walk combining stunning mountain scenery with deeply moving historical sites.