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Cribyn

795m Elevation
129m Prominence
Wales Country
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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

7.2 km ~3h Moderate

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Aircraft Crash Site - Wellington Bomber and Vampire Jet (Black mountains)

20.6 km ~6h Hard

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Lower Failand–Priors wood

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Locking Parklands–Hutton–Christon

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Circular Route via Cribyn and Pen y Fan

This popular circular route starts at the Pont ar Daf car park (gridref SN987199) and ascends Pen y Fan before descending to the col at Bwlch Duwynt. From here, a steep climb leads to Cribyn's summit. The return leg descends to the Bwlch ar y Fan and follows the Roman Road back to the car park.

8.5 km ~4 hours Moderate

Horseshoe Walk via Corn Du, Pen y Fan, and Cribyn

Starting at the Storey Arms car park (gridref SN982203), this iconic Brecon Beacons horseshoe route ascends Corn Du, then Pen y Fan, followed by Cribyn. After reaching Cribyn's summit, the route descends to Bwlch ar y Fan and returns via the Roman Road. A classic route with stunning views throughout.

10.5 km ~5 hours Challenging

Cribyn from Neuadd Reservoir

Begin at the car park near Neuadd Reservoir (gridref SO038171). Follow the track along the reservoir and ascend the Graig Fan Ddu ridge. Continue along the ridge to reach Corn Du and Pen y Fan, before descending to the col and ascending Cribyn. Descend via the Bwlch ar y Fan and return along the valley path.

11 km ~5.5 hours Challenging

Cribyn Direct Ascent from Blaen-y-Glyn

This shorter but steep route starts at the Blaen-y-Glyn car park (gridref SO056176). Ascend directly via the Roman Road to Bwlch ar y Fan, then take the path leading up Cribyn's steep western flank. The return route retraces your steps back to Blaen-y-Glyn.

6 km ~3 hours Moderate

Extended Ridge Walk including Fan y Big and Cribyn

Start at the Taf Fechan Forest car park (gridref SO056176). Ascend to the ridge via Fan y Big, then continue along the ridge to Cribyn and Pen y Fan. Descend via Corn Du and return to the car park through the valley. A longer but rewarding ridge route.

16 km ~7 hours Challenging
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Hump Simm Hewitt Nuttall

Elevation

795m

2,608 ft

Prominence

129m

Coordinates

51.8818, -3.4195

SO023213

OS Map

160

Explorer: OL12E

At the Summit

The summit features a prominent cairn and a trig point, both popular spots for photos and small celebrations among hikers reaching the peak.

Terrain & Geology

A mix of grassy slopes and rocky outcrops particularly toward the summit which requires a good pair of boots lest you want to spend time befriending the local rocks.

Cribyn is primarily composed of Old Red Sandstone, giving it a rugged appearance and a unique mosaic of colours, particularly under sunlight. The cliffs around the summit showcase striated rock formations that make for excellent photography.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can see Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, along with the rolling hills of the Brecon Beacons and the distant valleys stretching into the horizon.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name Cribyn is derived from the Welsh word 'crib', meaning 'ridge' or 'crest', reflecting its position in the mountainous landscape.

Historical Significance

Cribyn has cultural significance in Welsh folklore and is a popular location for outdoor activities. Its prominence in the Brecon Beacons National Park draws both locals and visitors for hiking and nature appreciation.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is designated parking available at Cwm Oergwm, which can accommodate several vehicles, but arrive early as it fills quickly during peak seasons.

Public Transport

Bus services run from Brecon or Pontypridd to nearby villages, with a walk to the trailheads required. Check local timetables as they can vary.

Nearby Facilities

Cafés and public toilets can be found in Brecon; however, there are no facilities directly at the trailheads, so come prepared!

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep drops near the summit can be perilous, especially in wet conditions. Be wary of loose rocks and changing weather patterns.

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?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Cribyn location map

Grid reference: SO023213

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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