Exploring Brecon Beacons: The Best Hikes, MTB Rides & Pubs in 4 Days

K-Girl + Benzino
7 days ago
3 min read

We made it to our first base in Wales: Brecon, a small town right on the edge of the famous Brecon Beacons National Park. Known for its rolling hills, wild landscapes, and endless sheep, the park seemed like the perfect playground for hikes, bike rides, and nature time. Plus, it felt like a great intro to the rugged beauty of Wales.

Our Cottage in Brecon – Picture Book Perfect

After the long drive and ferry crossing, we were more than ready to relax. Our Airbnb cottage, tucked away just outside Brecon, was straight out of a postcard. White stone walls, wooden beams, little wildflowers in the garden — pure Welsh charm. We passed out almost immediately, grateful for quiet, cool air and some serious sleep.

Brecon Town Vibes - Coffee, Pints & Chill

Between the rides and hikes, we also gave ourselves time to just soak in the vibe of Brecon. On a couple of mellow afternoons, we wandered through the little streets on the hunt for the best coffee or a cold pint. One of our favorite discoveries was the super cozy (and dog-friendly) Two Dogs Coffee — a specialty coffee spot that Katharina instantly added to her list of world coffee highlights.

Later that day, we grabbed a few pints from the Brecon Tap Pub and ended up lounging under the famous Wellington statue, beer in hand, dog at our feet. Felt like we were doing it just like the locals — and we loved it.

Llyn y Fan Fach | A Sunset Hike to Remember

We eased into our first full day in Wales with a slow morning: sleeping in, strolling through Brecon town, and napping again. (Blame the heat — and the dog, who struggles when it gets too warm.)

But by late afternoon, we were ready to get moving. And if daytime is too hot? Simple solution: sunset hiking.

We chose a route around Llyn y Fan Fach, a mystical glacial lake nestled in the Carmarthen Fans. It took about 2 hours to climb up to the ridgeline, and we were rewarded with one of the most breathtaking sunsets we've ever seen — fiery skies, mirror-like water, and not another soul in sight (well, except for the 2,000 sheep grazing around us 🐑). Pure magic.

👉 Here's a great guide to the hike

Pen-y-Crug | A Spicy MTB Morning

The next morning was set for a quick 10 km MTB loop near Brecon, aiming to ride around Pen-y-Crug. Spoiler alert: it was a little spicier than expected.Steep climbs, narrow rocky trails, sheep blocking the way (again), and the early sun already roasting us. But the view from the top? Totally worth it — the Brecon rooftops and surrounding hills rolled out beneath us like a painting.

📍 Our MTB Route

Pen-y-Fan | Topping South Wales

We couldn’t skip Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain at 886m.We chose the horseshoe route, which meant a steep straight-up start and a long, scenic ridge walk. Views? Epic. Company? Minimal. The trail was quiet except for a few hikers near the top from the shorter routes.After conquering the summit, we treated ourselves to scones and Coke at the super cute Old Barn Tea Room. Fueling up the right way.

👉 Here's a great guide to the hike

Llanfrynach Community Pub Vibes

After all that mountain air, it was time for something different: pub night. We packed our dice game, headed to Llanfrynach, and finally fulfilled Benzino’s dream of ordering a Pimm’s. Turns out, that’s not really a thing anymore — the bartender had to go digging through dusty bottles to find one. Still: refreshing and oddly nostalgic.

We somehow landed in one of the best pubs of the country (that's what we think), The Three Horseshoes, and ended up having one of the best vegan meals of the trip so far. Unexpected awesome, 100% delicious.

BikePark Wale: Blue Runs Only

Of course, we had to check out BikePark Wales — aka mountain bike heaven.While Pepe carved out a comfy spot in the car, we geared up and hit the blue lines. Let’s just say: we stuck to the easier trails, especially after Katharina’s confidence led to a few slightly chaotic corners. 😅

🏔️ Fun Fact: What’s With All the Pen-y’s?

Ever noticed how almost every mountain in Wales starts with “Pen-y”? That’s because "Pen" means "head" or "top" in Welsh, and the rest usually refers to the location or shape of the peak. So Pen-y-Fan basically means “Top of the Beacon.” Makes sense, right? Still makes us giggle a bit every time we say it.