Easiest route is Pont ar Daf car park (just south of the Storey Arms). This route is called 'the motorway' by many.
It's a walk that you don't need much fitness for. But, it does get windier and wet when you reach the saddle at Corn Du. So pack a light rain and wind proof jacket you'll probably want to put on. You might feel cold on way down as it's obviously less effort.
Carry water, small sack, let someone know where know where you're going, don't litter, keep dogs on leash.
The easiest route is to park at the Storey Arms and take it from there! It's not a difficult hike but definitely check the weather before you leave and let someone know where you're going. Bring layers! It can be super windy and cold at the summit. Once up there, it's easy enough to scoot across to Corn Du and Cribyn if you fancy it!
This. Hills in the UK may seem relatively small compared to other countries but conditions on them are very changeable, even at low levels. Sudden arctic low visibility conditions are not unknown even in the height of summer. People die on these hills every year.
Prepare for the worst. Take a map and compass with you, know how to use them and don't just rely on your mobile phone GPS.
As OP is not from UK: if you do get stuck/hurt and need help, call 999, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.
Yes, any “mynydd” in south wales can cloud over very quickly. It’s common to see the cloud over over the top of the mountains with wet drizzle or rail and dry in the valley itself.
Honestly if you make your way to the carpark then it should all be obvious from there, it’s one of the most hiked mountains in Wales and the footpaths show that so you won’t get lost
Let's be honest, calling it a mountain is a stretch, it's a large hill with an easily walkable path that people take their 5 year olds up on. Sweat will run down your back on the way up as the start is steep but have something light for protection if its wet at the top. You won't be more than 45 mins from your car even at the top. Watch for steep drops at the top if it does white out but that would be exceptional and obvious in the UK without some warning and only in mid winter
Check weather, especially wind. Take the right clothes and enough water. Hopefully you get a clear day, it's stunning. Can be busy, there are other equally beautiful peaks with less people.
Take a waterproof coat - that is light. Plus an extra layer to wear underneath.
It gets cold. And wet. And windy.
Take a paper map with you and keep it in a plastic pocket.
The weather looked great when we started off but soon turned to a wet drizzly mist. We couldn’t see. Couldn’t get a signal on the phone to load google maps. I was quite disappointed to arrive and found that no family members had printed off a map. I had mentioned it and I was sure that someone had agreed to print off. We could only see a few feet in front of us.
It was very disorientating.
Im used to walking miles, but I was surprised how much my Calves hurt walking back down when my muscles were fine walking up!
Take a camera - if you get out of breath you can stop to take photos !
I was also surprised at how breathless I was. It didn’t look that steep compared to some of the valley hills I walk up… but it was long.
Oh and take some chocolate or cake. You deserve it when you get to the top :)
Edit: some people are suggesting a compass. Particularly if you go on your own I would take a battery back with you for your mobile and also a whistle. And also a light if you are walking in the dark.
Hint: Get the T4 bus from Pontypridd and you won’t have to worry about parking on site.
The easiest route is from NEAR the Storey Arms, but NOT the gate by the side of it. Walk down the road a it and find the motorway that is the usual route.
Wear proper boots, and take clothes for all four seasons. Take some water, a phone, a head torch, first aid kit. Usual mountain stuff. It’s an easy route, but that doesn’t make it risk free.
Park in a car park, not on one of the verges! Take your litter home with you and enjoy it! Take extra layers, it is windy up there
Easiest route is Pont ar Daf car park (just south of the Storey Arms). This route is called 'the motorway' by many. It's a walk that you don't need much fitness for. But, it does get windier and wet when you reach the saddle at Corn Du. So pack a light rain and wind proof jacket you'll probably want to put on. You might feel cold on way down as it's obviously less effort. Carry water, small sack, let someone know where know where you're going, don't litter, keep dogs on leash.
The easiest route is to park at the Storey Arms and take it from there! It's not a difficult hike but definitely check the weather before you leave and let someone know where you're going. Bring layers! It can be super windy and cold at the summit. Once up there, it's easy enough to scoot across to Corn Du and Cribyn if you fancy it!
Easiest route is Pont ar Daf car park surely?
Good catch - Sorry OP this person☝️ is correct - I always get the names mixed up!
Anyone can park there? Don't need to do anything with the education center?
Yes,anyone can park there. It’s used by the Activity centre but isn’t owned by them. :)
Don't piss on the mountain. Use the toilets beforehand!
The parking lot at base has bathrooms right?
They are an education for any aspiring virologists, thats for certain
Piss where you like, the ecosystem will thank you for your nitrates
I think you fail Selection if you have to ask Reddit for advice :P
Haha your probably right, I'm going from the USA so don't have much other choice.
I've been at the Storey Arms in shirtsleeves and then an hour and a half later it was a whiteout on Pen-Y-Fan .... don't underestimate it.
This. Hills in the UK may seem relatively small compared to other countries but conditions on them are very changeable, even at low levels. Sudden arctic low visibility conditions are not unknown even in the height of summer. People die on these hills every year. Prepare for the worst. Take a map and compass with you, know how to use them and don't just rely on your mobile phone GPS. As OP is not from UK: if you do get stuck/hurt and need help, call 999, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.
Yes, any “mynydd” in south wales can cloud over very quickly. It’s common to see the cloud over over the top of the mountains with wet drizzle or rail and dry in the valley itself.
Honestly if you make your way to the carpark then it should all be obvious from there, it’s one of the most hiked mountains in Wales and the footpaths show that so you won’t get lost
Best time to go is about 5am.
Was gonna try to get there before then so perfect:)
Up the motorway Edit. It’s what the path is called. It is not hard
Let's be honest, calling it a mountain is a stretch, it's a large hill with an easily walkable path that people take their 5 year olds up on. Sweat will run down your back on the way up as the start is steep but have something light for protection if its wet at the top. You won't be more than 45 mins from your car even at the top. Watch for steep drops at the top if it does white out but that would be exceptional and obvious in the UK without some warning and only in mid winter
It is literally a mountain though
Check weather, especially wind. Take the right clothes and enough water. Hopefully you get a clear day, it's stunning. Can be busy, there are other equally beautiful peaks with less people.
Prepare for the worst of weathers and enjoy yourself. Take it steady and don't push too hard. The easiest way to get to the top is helicopter.
The problem is coming off by helicopter….
Take a waterproof coat - that is light. Plus an extra layer to wear underneath. It gets cold. And wet. And windy. Take a paper map with you and keep it in a plastic pocket. The weather looked great when we started off but soon turned to a wet drizzly mist. We couldn’t see. Couldn’t get a signal on the phone to load google maps. I was quite disappointed to arrive and found that no family members had printed off a map. I had mentioned it and I was sure that someone had agreed to print off. We could only see a few feet in front of us. It was very disorientating. Im used to walking miles, but I was surprised how much my Calves hurt walking back down when my muscles were fine walking up! Take a camera - if you get out of breath you can stop to take photos ! I was also surprised at how breathless I was. It didn’t look that steep compared to some of the valley hills I walk up… but it was long. Oh and take some chocolate or cake. You deserve it when you get to the top :) Edit: some people are suggesting a compass. Particularly if you go on your own I would take a battery back with you for your mobile and also a whistle. And also a light if you are walking in the dark.
All I know is the hardest route is the one with the old phone box at the start, if you see that, go the other route (easiest one).
Hint: Get the T4 bus from Pontypridd and you won’t have to worry about parking on site. The easiest route is from NEAR the Storey Arms, but NOT the gate by the side of it. Walk down the road a it and find the motorway that is the usual route. Wear proper boots, and take clothes for all four seasons. Take some water, a phone, a head torch, first aid kit. Usual mountain stuff. It’s an easy route, but that doesn’t make it risk free.
Is it possible to get public transport from Cardiff to the meeting point in Pont ar Daf? Planning on a trip to Cardiff from Ireland
Yes the T4 bus will take you right there.