Wales
Fan Hir
760M
2493FT
About Fan Hir
Fan Hir, or 'Long Peak', is a four-kilometre stretch of sandstone that manages to feel twice as long on a wet Tuesday. It offers a dramatic escarpment and views of Llyn y Fan Fawr, provided the clouds haven't decided to take up permanent residence.
Key Statistics
Rank
11th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Brecon Beacons
Prominence
?
42.7m
Nearest Town
Trecastle
Geology
The ground beneath you is built from layers of hardy sandstone and fine-grained mudstones. These rocks form the Plateau Beds and Brownstones beneath your feet.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SN830209
Latitude
51.8744°N
Longitude
3.7009°W
Did You Know?
- •The fell represents the easternmost point of the Black Mountain massif in the Brecon Beacons. Its dramatic eastern escarpment is composed of layers of Old Red Sandstone, carved out by ancient glaciers.
- •It is separated from the higher Fan Brycheiniog by the col of Bwlch Giedd. This pass features a distinctive stone staircase path that rises sharply from the shores of Llyn y Fan Fawr.
- •The mountain serves as a significant drainage area for the River Tawe. Rain falling on these slopes eventually journeys through the Swansea Valley before reaching the Bristol Channel.
- •Geologically, the area is part of the Fforest Fawr Geopark, recognized for its exceptional glacial features. The steep drop-offs into the cwm below provide some of the most dramatic scenery in South Wales.
- •The name 'Long Peak' is a literal warning from the ancient Welsh. Expect a ridge walk so deceptively vast that you’ll start checking your GPS to see if you’ve accidentally walked into a different county.