Pant-y-Creigiau

Pant-y-Creigiau is a 5.4 mile loop trail located near Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking.

Length5.4 miElevation gain1,040 ftRoute typeLoop

Description

Waypoints (9)

Getting There

This circular walk takes you from the Pontsticill Reservoir up onto the summit of Pant-y-Creigiau overlooking the southern Brecon Beacons. On a clear day, this walk gives wide ranging views taking in the Pontsticill, Pentwyn and Talybont Reservoirs and the hills of the southern Brecon Beacons, including the southern horseshoe. The Brecon Beacons is a very remote/exposed area and it can be easy to lose your way, so remember the usual walking rules: be prepared with a paper map and compass as well as snacks/drinks and appropriate clothing/footwear. There is one stiff climb up to the summit of Pant-y-Creigiau and some muddy paths - especially after rain - so waterproof boots are recommended.There are several gates on route, plus one stile. OS Explorer OL12 or Landranger 160.

Start to Gate on Left

From the parking place, turn left and walk along the road, crossing the dam. Continue on the road, passing under the Brecon Mountain Railway bridge. You will see a gate ahead of you into Dolygaer Outdoor Centre. Do NOT go into the Centre, instead look to your left where you will see another gate leading off the road.

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Gate on Left to Broad Forestry Track

Turn left through this gate and then cross a stile. This path will lead you to a broad forestry track. Turn left onto this track.

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Broad Forestry Track to Public Road

Follow this broad forestry track which takes you above the railway with Pentwyn Reservoir below to your left. Continue for about 2 km, enjoying this long section above the reservoir. You will emerge alongside a cattle grid to reach the public road.

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Public Road to Parking Area

Turn right onto the road and follow it gently uphill. Walk along the road for 500m, enjoying the view of Craig-y-Fan-Ddu to your left, until you reach a small parking area/pull off point on your right.

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Parking Area to Trig Point

You need to turn right off the road here, up an earthy path. This section of the walk takes you up to the summit of Pant-y-Creigiau. It is a stiff climb up some land that has been damaged by off-roading in the past, but which is being restored. Views over the area begin to open up in all directions.

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Trig Point to Promontory

Continue past the trig point, following a faint path that keeps to the ridge, keeping left away from the reservoir. Continue just to where there is a slight promontory (a raised mass of land) on your left. This is a good place to sit and have your lunch/snack with views down to the Tal-y-bont Reservoir in the distance.

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Promontory to Gate at Forest Edge

At this point you need to veer off down to the right to meet a path at the corner of forestry where there is a gate. Several faint paths contour round down to this point.

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Gate at Forest Edge to Junction with Forestry Track

Go through the gate and follow the stony path down to an intersection with a forestry track. Go straight over following the rough path down.

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Junction with Forestry Track to End

This section of the path goes over some ground where trees have blocked the main path and one must walk round them. This is not a major problem, but be prepared and take care over some muddy, branch strewn ground - especially when there has been rain. You will pass some ruined buildings in this section. This path will take you through the Dolygaer Outdoor Centre (due to be sold) and then becomes the road you left earlier. Keep ahead to retrace your steps back over the dam to your car.

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Travelling east on the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road, shortly after its junction at a roundabout with the A470, turn left (signed Cefncoed-y-Cymmer). Immediately, at the first junction, go straight over following the road to the village of Pontsticill. After passing through the village, at a fork, take the left higher road and travel the length of the Pontsticill Reservoir until the road forks again. The right fork is marked as a No Through Road and you take this down to the parking place on your left (Grid Ref. SO05471440). Nearest post code is CF48 2UR.

Weather

UV Index

Daylight

Reviews (7)

Photos (48)

Activities (6)

Completed (9)

Sadee-Jo Evans

April 8, 2021

WalkingGreat!

Really loved this walk. It got quite steep going up to the Trig point but it was a lovely walk with beautiful views. Highley recommend.

East London Plodder

October 6, 2020

HikingFloodedMuddyOff trailRockyScramble

Cracking walk, waterlogged in places due to heavy rain. Not for the faint hearted at the moment with lots of surface water and bogs which makes areas of the steep scramble up to the Trig Point difficult. Don’t be tempted to go left after the bridge over the reservoir too early, we did that and had to turn around.

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Matt Taylor

February 3, 2020

HikingClosedMuddyOff trailOver grownRockyScramble

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Tracey Evans

September 21, 2019

Walking

First to Review

Amazing views when you get to the top, we had a really lovely day, it was pretty dry but coming down the other side if it was wet would have been quite hard & the last section of the walk is a stone track & goes on for quite a while with not a great deal to see so was disappointing but still glad we did it.

Stephen Hewitt

April 25, 2020

Hiking

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Andrew Dale

September 8, 2019

Hiking

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Doz James

May 5, 2019

Hiking

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