Cribyn
Good walks are even better shared.
Overview
Cribyn (793.8 m) rises east of Pen y Fan in the central Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Powys. Its small summit cairn overlooks steep escarpments and glacial valleys. The Neuadd horseshoe links it with Corn Du and Pen y Fan; a longer circuit also includes Fan y Big.
Cribyn
Cribyn rises to 793.8 m east of Pen y Fan in the central Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Powys. The Database of British and Irish Hills records 127.6 m of prominence and classifies it as a Hump, Simm, Hewitt and Nuttall. A small cairn marks its summit.
Landscape
The mountain belongs to the Devonian Old Red Sandstone landscape of the central Beacons. Glaciers modified the valleys and steepened the escarpments. In clear weather, the view across Cwm Sere towards Pen y Fan is particularly striking. Pen y Fan reaches 886 m; nearby Fan y Big reaches 716.7 m.
Choosing a circuit
The three-summit Neuadd horseshoe starts at Taf Fechan car park, SO038169. It climbs Graig Fan Ddu, crosses Corn Du and Pen y Fan, then visits Cribyn before returning south on the Gap Road to the starting car park. The National Trust publishes 16 km and 5–6 hours for this complete circuit.
The longer four-summit route starts at SO035173. After Corn Du, Pen y Fan and Cribyn it crosses Fan y Big, then follows the Beacons Way across Craig y Fan Ddu. The road and forest-track link returns to the original Neuadd lane and car park. Walking Britain publishes 17.4 km, 848 m of ascent and 7 hours 40 minutes. Use its full route and a detailed map for the less distinct Beacons Way junctions and the return links.
These are different itineraries with different starting points. Pont ar Daf and Storey Arms are on the A470 to the west. The Gap Road leads south into the Neuadd valley; it does not by itself complete a return to either A470 start. Blaen y Glyn Uchaf, SO056176, is a separate eastern starting point.
Access and preparation
Use designated parking, check local notices and keep roads and gateways clear. Buses serve Storey Arms from Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil; check both the walking connection and the return service. Public toilets are at Pont ar Daf. Bring food and sufficient drinking water for the day.
Cribyn has steep approaches and exposed drops. Keep away from the escarpment edges, take care on wet or icy paths and expect boggy ground towards the Gap Road. Cloud can hide path junctions, so carry a detailed map, compass, warm layers, waterproofs and a torch. Allow enough daylight for the full circuit and turn back if conditions exceed your skills. In an emergency call 999 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Names and history
Cribyn is related to the Welsh crib, a ridge or crest, with a diminutive ending. The Gap Road at Bwlch ar y Fan is a historic mountain crossing. Its traditional description as a Roman road is uncertain: the National Trust reports no archaeological evidence for that origin.
Explore routes near Cribyn
Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.
Pen y Fan via Corn Du from Storey Arms
View route
Brecon Basin to Brynich Aqueduct: Canal Towpath Walk
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A Very Merry Winter Walk ending with Cake & a Hot Drink!
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Merthyr Tydfil with Men Walking & Talking
View route
Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.
Neuadd horseshoe: Corn Du, Pen y Fan and Cribyn
Start and finish at Taf Fechan car park (SO038169). Walk north to Lower Neuadd, climb west onto Graig Fan Ddu and follow the ridge to Corn Du and Pen y Fan. Descend Craig Cwm Sere and climb Cribyn. Follow Cribyn’s southeastern ridge to Bwlch ar y Fan, turn south onto the Gap Road and follow it back to the same car park. The National Trust gives 16 km and 5–6 hours for this complete circuit. Expect steep climbs and boggy sections.
Four-summit circuit from Neuadd via Craig y Fan Ddu
From SO035173, pass the Lower Neuadd filter house, cross the old dam and climb to Graig Fan Ddu. Follow Corn Du, Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Bwlch ar y Fan to Fan y Big. Return south along the escarpment, taking the Beacons Way turn at SO041196 to SO050191, then south over Craig y Fan Ddu. Descend past the plantation at SO054179 to the car-park track and turn right onto the road. At the parking area about 1 km on, turn right, bear right at the track fork and rejoin the outward lane at SO035173; turn left to the starting car park. Walking Britain gives 17.4 km, 848 m ascent and 7 hours 40 minutes.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Photo Gallery
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SO0221 : Cribyn from the summit of Pen y Fan
Kenneth Yarham
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SO0221 : The west side of Cribyn 2
Jonathan Billinger
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SO0221 : Cribyn and Pen y Fan as seen from Fan y Big
Colin Park
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SO0221 : Brecon Beacons from the North
Anne Patterson
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SO0221 : Cribyn
Rude Health
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SO0221 : Cribyn from Pen-y-Fan
Mark Percy
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SO0221 : View to Cribyn from summit of Pen y Fan
Colin Park
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SO0221 : Snow and ice just below Cribyn summit
Roddy Urquhart
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SO0221 : Brecon Beacons
Peter Randall-Cook
SO0221 : Steep descent from Cribyn
Alan Hughes
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
794m
2,604 ft
Prominence
128m
Coordinates
51.8818, -3.4195
SO023213
OS Map
160
Explorer: OL12E
At the Summit
A small cairn marks the summit. Steep ground falls away from the summit ridge; keep well back from the escarpment edge.
Terrain & Geology
Cribyn belongs to the central Beacons landscape of Devonian sedimentary rocks known as the Old Red Sandstone. Glaciation modified the valleys, steepened their heads and helped shape the prominent escarpments.
Views & Scenery
In clear conditions, Cribyn gives a close view of Pen y Fan across Cwm Sere, with the central Beacons ridges and the Neuadd valley extending to the south.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
The Welsh word cribyn is a diminutive of crib, meaning a ridge or crest; it is often rendered as a small ridge.
Historical Significance
The Gap Road at Bwlch ar y Fan is a historic crossing of the central Beacons. It is often called a Roman road, but the National Trust notes that archaeological evidence for a Roman origin has not been found.
Getting There & Facilities
Parking
For the National Trust horseshoe, use the Taf Fechan/Neuadd start at SO038169. Walking Britain’s longer four-summit circuit starts at SO035173. Pont ar Daf and Storey Arms are separate A470 approaches; Blaen y Glyn Uchaf is at SO056176. Check your chosen route and current parking notices, use designated spaces and do not block roads or gates.
Public Transport
Buses link Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil with Storey Arms on the A470. This stop serves the western approaches, not the southern Neuadd starts described here. Check current Traveline Cymru or operator timetables, the walking link to your chosen start and the return service before travel.
Nearby Facilities
Public toilets are available at Pont ar Daf on the A470. The southern mountain circuits should be planned with food and all the drinking water you need. The National Trust says there is no drinking-water refill at Pont ar Daf.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Steep escarpment drops and steep summit approaches require care, especially in wind, mist or wet conditions.
- Rocky and stone-pitched paths can be slippery; boggy peat occurs on the ridge towards the Gap Road.
- Several paths lead to different valleys and car parks. Carry a detailed map and compass, check descent junctions and plan a complete return to your own start.
- The longer four-summit circuit includes a road section; watch for traffic.
Seasonal Hazards
Snow and ice can make steep mountain paths hazardous, and short winter days leave less time for a long circuit. Carry a torch, warm layers and waterproofs; choose a route that suits the conditions and your winter skills. Cold, rain and strong winds can affect the tops in any season.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up Cribyn?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Cribyn through the maps
Are there other walkers around Cribyn?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Cribyn search or of course create your own walk for Cribyn
Can I organise a walk to Cribyn?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Cribyn.
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up Cribyn?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Cribyn here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
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Community Discussion
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Location
Grid reference: SO023213
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