{"id":17232,"date":"2026-07-28T23:15:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T22:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=17232"},"modified":"2026-07-28T23:15:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T22:15:25","slug":"pontsticill-fan-y-big","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=17232","title":{"rendered":"Pontsticill & Fan y Big"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pontsticill & Fan y Big <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Pontsticill<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We parked at small carpark near the Pontsticill reservoir on what promised to be quite a warm day. Crossing the reservoir bridge signs warned that it is dangerous to swim here. Groups were gathering to spend their day on the water. Shade from trees made the climb to the Dolygaer Activity Centre comfortable. The centre boasts archery, a zipwire, and bushcraft as well as water activity lessons. It was tempting to stop at the cafe for a morning drink but far too early on our walk to contemplate, so we left the campers to their breakfast.<\/p>\n

Having done the bulk of the climbing for the day, it was announced that we were having lunch in an area of hillocks where we could shelter from the strong wind and look at the magnificent views of the Brecon Beacons – and take note of presents left by sheep who obviously favour this area. It was an extremely early lunch, 11.30a.m. might be a Wenvoe walkers\u2019 record! The views were indeed fabulous, including the Pen y Fan range and with the keen wind the speedy passage of cloud shadows across the nearer hills was mesmerising.<\/p>\n

Somewhere around here a plane crashed. Because of the terrain, unpredictable weather and historical use as a military training ground it is one of dozens of aircraft crash sites mainly dating from World War II.<\/p>\n

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Continuing we took a route roughly parallel with the Beacons Way and the views grew in scope from the Black Mountain in the west across the Pen Y Fan range and over to the Black Mountains \u2013 Skirrid and Sugarloaf. At one point, Talybont reservoir could be seen clearly.<\/p>\n

The walk was across a large moor with large conical dents several feet deep, sink holes we wondered. Not the site of plane crashes as the layout of the land would look different. The only water was a small foetid tarn.<\/p>\n

A steep descent lead us down to the valley taking us towards Pontsticill. As we reached the road, we noted that both footpath markers were horizontal on the floor. It was a lot warmer in the valley, and we found a pink flower growing in profusion on a wet slope beside the path, several of us climbed down to take a closer look. It was bog pimpernel.<\/p>\n

During the walk we had seen foxglove spires standing tall, a large furry brown caterpillar, and larks galore rising from the grass as we passed and soaring high above. The only stiles on the walk were saved for the very end of the walk. Recrossing the reservoir bridge, there were plenty of canoeists and paddle boarders enjoying the water.<\/p>\n

Walk 8 miles 1100ft Map OL12<\/p>\n

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Fan y Big <\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We were promised a stiff climb, great views and no stiles! We parked near Torpantau station (Brecon steam railway) and set off along the road. An excellent path to the top of Fan y Big has large stones laid, and they are arranged to enable rain to run off with gullies at regular intervals. To preserve the precious peat bog large rolls of wool wrapped in ropes and pinned in place by wooden stakes are spread across the upper areas of the mountain. A mammoth task but brilliant enterprise keeping those of us that love the mountains to a restricted area whilst looking after Nature.<\/p>\n

This was higher than the Pontsticill walk and as well as the Brecon Beacons view, we could see the Gower peninsula, Swansea Bay and flat lands to the north. Amazingly the ground for a long stretch was sandstone pavement, probably evidence of the sea being here in the past!<\/p>\n

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Lunch was at another excellent location, some of us descended a few feet to get out of the wind and sit looking down a valley. Walking towards the summit of Fan y Big we took a vote on whether to visit the busy summit, and we went for it. A challenge was put out \u2018who\u2019s going to go on the diving board?\u2019 One person who is known for suffering from vertigo (me) walked straight to it and was soon followed by one other brave soul. The secret is to not look down!<\/p>\n

A kite, larks and other small birds which moved so quickly we did not identify them peppered the sky. The return downhill was a lot quicker than the climb. The track through the valley leading to Torpantau Rd was littered with large stones so we kept looking for the smoother areas as by this time we were footsore.<\/p>\n

Walk 8 miles 1300ft Map OL12<\/p>\n

Both walks started near the Barn tea rooms, where we retired for refreshments. Most people had tea but a couple of us shared scones with jam and cream and one person chose ice-cream \u2013 all of it delicious.<\/p>\n

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\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pontsticill & Fan y Big Pontsticill We parked at small carpark near the Pontsticill reservoir on what promised to be quite a warm day. Crossing the reservoir bridge signs warned that it is dangerous to swim here. Groups were gathering to spend their day on the water. Shade from trees made the climb to the Dolygaer Activity Centre comfortable. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[38,437],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-4tW","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4788,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=4788","url_meta":{"origin":17232,"position":0},"title":"Llandegfedd Reservoir","author":"Alan Williams","date":"27th June 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 It was a bright, sunny morning as we parked at the visitor and watersports centre in Coed y Paen near Pontypool and Usk, just a few miles north of Newport. Our walk was to follow \u2018the Reservoir Trail\u2019 which circumnavigates Llandegfedd reservoir. The route is possible because Welsh Water\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14168,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=14168","url_meta":{"origin":17232,"position":1},"title":"Llwyn Onn Reservoir and Taibach","author":"Alan Williams","date":"9th April 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Llwyn Onn Reservoir and Taibach \u00a0 Llwyn Onn Reservoir Driving to the start of this walk, at the beginning of March, the weather was changeable, rain, sleet and hail and we could see snow on the tops of some hills. On arrival at the Garwnant Visitor centre at Llwyn Onn\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10748,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=10748","url_meta":{"origin":17232,"position":2},"title":"Llandegfedd Reservoir","author":"Alan Williams","date":"13th December 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Llandegfedd Reservoir Llandegfedd lake is a large reservoir, constructed in the early 1960s by Cardiff Corporation to provide drinking water to the rapidly growing city. It is now owned by Welsh Water and the lake is a haven for birds, wildlife, walkers and water sport enthusiasts. It is a designated\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Picture3w.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13939,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=13939","url_meta":{"origin":17232,"position":3},"title":"Pontsticill \u00a0and Llanblethian","author":"Alan Williams","date":"13th February 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Pontsticill \u00a0& Llanblethian Pontsticill After stating last month that we would be staying closer to home while the days are short, the last Saturday in November was so beautiful that we went to the Brecon Beacons. We started at Pontsticill reservoir. parking near the Brecon Mountain Railway. It was very\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Picture13.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15385,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=15385","url_meta":{"origin":17232,"position":4},"title":"Lliw Reservoir & Nuppend, Alvington","author":"Alan Williams","date":"9th April 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Lliw Reservoir After a longish drive, more of us than usual, arrived at the lower Lliw reservoir, and were happy to see a caf\u00e9. The caf\u00e9 has a handy leaflet describing local footpaths and points of interest. The reservoir was built in 1867, following an 1859 cholera epidemic which gripped\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Picture5.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9945,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=9945","url_meta":{"origin":17232,"position":5},"title":"Pontiscill\/ Taf Fechan","author":"Alan Williams","date":"12th July 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Pontiscill\/ Taf Fechan This is a walk planned for last autumn but abandoned, due to a landslide (still in evidence all these months later). This time the road was open but as we passed Pontiscill reservoir a large coach came in the opposite direction and our convoy had to back\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Picture18.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Picture18.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Picture18.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Picture18.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17232"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17232"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17233,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17232\/revisions\/17233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}