If you’re looking for a mountain that feels like a proper adventure but is still achievable with children, Pen y Fan is a brilliant place to start.
At 886 metres, Pen y Fan is the highest mountain in South Wales and the highest peak in southern Britain. Despite its impressive height, there’s a relatively straightforward route to the summit from Pont ar Daf, making it a popular choice for families and those taking on their first mountain.
There are several different ways to climb Pen y Fan, including some longer and more challenging routes. In this guide, though, we’re concentrating on the easiest route up Pen y Fan from Pont ar Daf – as we did this walk with Indie at the weekend – and, more importantly, what it’s like to tackle it with kids.
How high is Pen y Fan?
Pen y Fan is 886 metres (2,906 feet) above sea level, making it the highest mountain in South Wales. That might sound intimidating if you’re considering climbing Pen y Fan with children, but there’s an important point to remember: you don’t start at sea level.
The Pont ar Daf car park is already around 440 metres above sea level, so you’re essentially starting halfway up the mountain.
There’s still plenty of uphill walking involved, but this high starting point is one of the reasons the Pont ar Daf route is such a good option for families.
What does Pen y Fan mean?
Pen y Fan is a Welsh name, with “Pen y Fan” generally translated as “top of the peak” or “summit of the peak.” How cute?
It’s a pretty appropriate name considering Pen y Fan is the highest point in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.
And if you’re walking with children, learning a little about the Welsh names of the mountains and landmarks you pass can be another nice way to make the walk more interesting.
What is the easiest route up Pen y Fan?
The easiest and most popular route up Pen y Fan starts from Pont ar Daf car park on the A470.
It’s sometimes nicknamed “The Motorway” because it’s such a well-used route and, in good weather, the path is generally very obvious. We took this route on a Saturday in August, which you’d consider peak season but, honestly, it didn’t feel too overcrowded.
From Pont ar Daf, you’ll cross the river and start climbing steadily on a wide, established path. You’ll eventually reach Bwlch Duwynt – or “Windy Pass” – before continuing towards the summit of Pen y Fan.
You can also incorporate neighbouring Corn Du into your walk. It’s the first peak you’ll reach on this route. If the children still have plenty of energy, it’s a great opportunity to tick off a second summit. If little legs are starting to tire, however, take the path to the right of Corn Du. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with concentrating on Pen y Fan itself, which is what we did, as Indie was starting to tire.
One of the biggest advantages of this route when walking with children is that there are no technical climbing sections or scrambling involved. It’s essentially a long uphill walk.
How long does Pen y Fan take to climb?
For the easy route from Pont ar Daf, I’d allow approximately 3 – 4 hours for the complete walk.
You could certainly complete it more quickly, but when you’re walking Pen y Fan with kids, speed really isn’t the point. We managed to complete the route in three hours with plenty of water and Haribo breaks.
The popular circular walk taking in both Pen y Fan and Corn Du is around 4 miles (6.4km) and takes approximately three and a half hours.
If you’re only heading to Pen y Fan and returning via the easiest route, like we did, your walk may be slightly shorter.
With children, I’d always allow more time than you think you’ll need. It’s much nicer to have a relaxed walk than spend the afternoon constantly checking the time.
Can children climb Pen y Fan?
Yes, children can absolutely climb Pen y Fan, and the Pont ar Daf route is one of the best options for families.
There isn’t really a minimum age at which a child can climb Pen y Fan. It comes down to the individual child, their walking experience and how comfortable they are with hills.
If your child already enjoys walking for a few hours (check out ‘How far can kids walk by age?’) and has tackled some hilly routes before, Pen y Fan can make a fantastic next challenge. For children who aren’t used to walking longer distances, it might be worth building up to it with some shorter countryside walks first.
The main thing to remember is that although this is considered the “easy” Pen y Fan route, you’re still climbing a mountain. There’s a fair amount of ascent, the weather can change quickly and the summit is exposed.
But that’s also what makes it such a fantastic adventure for kids. Reaching the top of a real mountain – particularly the highest mountain in South Wales – gives them an enormous sense of achievement.
Tips for climbing Pen y Fan with children
A few things can make the day much easier:
- Bring lots of snacks. More than you think you’ll need.
- Let children set the pace rather than constantly encouraging them to walk faster.
- Take regular breaks before they’re exhausted.
- Bring plenty of water.
- Pack extra layers, even if it’s warm at the car park. We walked during a very hot day and it was still cold and windy at the top!
- Check the mountain weather forecast before leaving.
- Give yourself permission to turn around if the weather changes or they’re simply not enjoying it.
You can also give children little landmarks to aim for rather than constantly talking about how far it is to the summit.
“Let’s get to that bend and have a snack” is usually much more motivating than “we’ve still got another hour to go.”
At the top, we awared Indie with her very own Pen Y Fan medal from Earned It Co. We’ve done the same for other peaks she’s climbed. We feel it’s nice for her to have something to show her hard work, as well as a keepsake for the future.
Is Pen y Fan hard for children?
The easy Pen y Fan route is straightforward, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy for little legs. The biggest challenge is the sustained uphill walking. There aren’t technical sections to negotiate, but there are stretches where you’ll be climbing continuously.
For children who already enjoy walking, it’s a very achievable challenge. If it’s their first ever long walk, however, I’d probably try something smaller first, like Mam Tor.
It’s also worth remembering that coming down can be surprisingly tiring. Children might be full of energy and excitement when they reach the summit, only to suddenly run out of steam halfway back to the car. Keep a few emergency snacks in reserve!
Where should I park for Pen y Fan?
For the easiest Pen y Fan route, park at Pont ar Daf car park on the A470, around eight miles south of Brecon. The postcode is LD3 8NL.
This is the main National Trust car park for the popular Pen y Fan route and has more than 180 parking spaces. Parking charges apply, although National Trust members (like us) and Blue Badge holders can park for free.
Pen y Fan is extremely popular, particularly during weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. On a sunny day, the car park can fill surprisingly early. We arrived for a prompt 8am start and there were still a good number of spaces.
When walking with children, arriving early is particularly worthwhile. You’ll have a better chance of parking, the paths should be quieter and you won’t be worrying about running out of daylight.
Avoid parking irresponsibly along the surrounding roads if the car park is full.
Are there toilets at Pen y Fan?
Yes. There are toilets at the Pont ar Daf car park, so definitely encourage everyone to use them before you start walking! There are no sinks to wash hands, though; Just hand sanitiser dispensers.
Once you’re out on the mountain, there are no toilets at the summit. There isn’t a café waiting at the top either, so you’ll need to carry all of your food and drinks with you.
What should children wear to climb Pen y Fan?
Even if you’re climbing Pen y Fan during summer, don’t assume you’ll have warm weather for the entire walk. Conditions at the summit can be completely different from those at the car park.
For children, I’d recommend:
- Proper walking shoes or boots with good grip
- Comfortable walking trousers or leggings
- A waterproof jacket
- A warm jumper or fleece
- Spare layers
- A hat and gloves in cooler weather
- A sun hat and sun cream during summer
Avoid relying on trainers with very little grip, particularly if there’s been rain.
The key is thin layers. Children can get very warm while climbing but cool down remarkably quickly when you stop for lunch at an exposed summit.
What is the weather like on Pen y Fan?
The weather is probably the biggest factor when deciding whether to climb Pen y Fan with children.
Mountain conditions can change very quickly. It can be sunny and relatively warm at Pont ar Daf while the summit is covered in cloud and experiencing strong winds.
Check a proper mountain weather forecast before setting off and pay particular attention to wind speed, visibility and rain. If the forecast looks miserable and you’re walking with kids, I’d simply choose another day.
There’s no prize for reaching the summit in horrible conditions, and walking Pen y Fan with children is going to be much more enjoyable if they can actually see the amazing views when they get there.
Is the Pen y Fan climb easy?
The “Motorway” route up Pen y Fan route isn’t particularly complicated and there’s no scrambling required. The path is wide and well established for much of the walk.
There are steep drops around parts of Pen y Fan, particularly around some of its northern and eastern faces, so you’ll obviously need to supervise younger children carefully when you’re near the summit, but I had no concerns over our 7 year old.
Can you climb Pen y Fan with a dog?
Yes, Pen y Fan is also a popular walk with dogs, so you can bring your four-legged family members along too. We saw plenty of dogs, large and small.
Dogs need to be kept under close control, particularly around livestock, and you’ll need to carry enough water for them as well as the humans. We saw plenty of sheep and horses on our route.
Consider your dog’s fitness and the weather too. A mountain walk on a hot summer’s day can be much tougher for a dog than it is for you.
What is the summit of Pen y Fan like?
Reaching the top is the moment that makes all those “Are we nearly there yet?” questions worthwhile.
The summit of Pen y Fan sits at 886 metres and is marked by a distinctive stone cairn. On a clear day, you’ll have huge views across Bannau Brycheiniog and the surrounding mountains. For children, it’s also a brilliant moment to make a fuss of what they’ve achieved.
Take the obligatory summit photos, get the snacks out and give them some time to enjoy being at the highest point in South Wales. Just be prepared for it to be considerably colder and windier than it was further down.
When is the best time to climb Pen y Fan with kids?
Late spring, summer and early autumn are probably the easiest times to introduce children to Pen y Fan, thanks to the longer daylight hours and generally milder conditions. That doesn’t mean every summer’s day will be suitable, though.
If you can, I’d choose your day based on the weather forecast rather than picking a date weeks in advance and deciding you have to climb regardless of the conditions.
Is climbing Pen y Fan with kids worth it?
Definitely. 1000%. YES!
If your children already enjoy being outdoors and are ready to progress from shorter countryside walks to their first proper mountain, Pen y Fan is a fantastic choice.
The Pont ar Daf route is easy to follow, there’s no scrambling involved and you’re starting from a relatively high elevation. Yet you still get the excitement of climbing to 886 metres and standing on top of the highest mountain in South Wales.
Don’t worry about how quickly you get there. Pack plenty of snacks, stop whenever little legs need a rest and make the walk itself part of the adventure.
Because when they finally reach that summit cairn and realise they’ve climbed an actual mountain, there’s a good chance they’ll be pretty proud of themselves. And hopefully they’ll still have enough energy left to walk back down!
