The Park in outline
Established in 1957, the Brecon Beacons National Park covers 519 square miles stretching from Llandeilo in the west to Hay-on-Wye in the east. The Park seeks to protect and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of an area that contains some of the most spectacular upland formations in Southern Britain.
Geology of the Brecon Beacons
The upper 2 thirds of the Park are made up of old red sandstone which is transected by rivers to form 4 distinct ranges of hills: the Black Mountain, Fforest Fawr, the Central Beacons and, rather confusingly, the Black Mountains. The southern edge of the Park is given over to millstone grit and limestone which houses magnificent caves and passages.
The Peaks of the Beacons
West to east the Park's high points are: Fan Brycheiniog (802m), Fan Fawr (734m), Pen y Fan (886m) and its twin, Corn Du (873m), and Waun Fach (811m).
