Things to do in  Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Sgwd yr Eira conjures up mystical images from its name alone, which translates as “waterfall of the snow” in English: luckily, it lives up to its title. This beloved Brecon Beacons waterfall is known for its torrent of water that you can walk behind, and is the grand finale of the Four Waterfalls Walk.

You’ll feel like you’re touching the sky at Pen-y-Fan, the flat-topped peak home to the best-known hike in the Brecon Beacons. At around 2,907 feet (886 meters), the national park’s highest point attracts walkers ascending to the summit via challenging circular routes. Those who scale it in good weather are rewarded with dramatic views that sweep the River Usk valley.

A beloved Brecon Beacons lake shrouded in legend, Llyn-y-Fan Fach has the perfect ingredients for a hike. It’s set in the Black Mountain range, where the rugged Carmarthen Fans countryside resonates with bleating sheep and moorland. Most visitors hike the ascending 4-mile (6.5-kilometer) loop from Llaanddeusant to enjoy it and discover its legend, the Lady of the Lake.

Often cited as Britain’s most picturesque waterway, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal stretches through the leafy Usk Valley for around 35 miles (56 kilometers) between Brecon and Cwmbran, south of Pontypool. You can explore it by narrowboat, operating the six locks yourself, or experience it from dry land, enjoying walks or cycles along the historical towpaths.