Dog-Friendly Walks: Llyn y Fan Fawr, the Black Mountain and Carmarthen Fans
Walking guide and accommodation near to Llyn y Fan Fawr, the Black Mountain, Carmarthen Fans, Bannau Brycheiniog| Brecon Beacons
Stay in one of our boutique dog-friendly cottages and enjoy our curated guide to walks on this quieter side of Bannau Brycheiniog, Brecon Beacons National Park. We've got plenty of recommendations and routes for walks, hikes, lakes and waterfalls to help you avoid the crowds — even in summer.
Below you'll find detailed guides, OS Maps route links and parking information for five of our favourite walks, all suitable for dogs.
Stay with us: Glanyrafon or New York
- Miles of walks from the door
- Enclosed fields and meadows for off-lead exercise
- Hot showers after muddy walks
- Stream for doggy paddles and our dog walks guides
Walks in this guide
1. Llyn y Fan Fawr (Our Favourite)
2. Llyn y Fan Fach
3. Cwm Sawdde Fechan
4. Garn Goch Iron Age Hill Fort
5. Black Mountain Ridge
1. Llyn y Fan Fawr ★ Our Favourite
Wild mountain lake · Waterfall descent · No car park (quieter for it)
Our favourite — and the larger of the two lakes. Llyn y Fan Fawr is a little quieter in summer months, partly because there is no dedicated car park. Park about 45 minutes away and romp straight up to the lake, then return via a beautiful set of waterfalls — perfect for picnic stops and cool dips.
We always recommend waterproof boots on this route: the ascent can be very wet and there is a peat bog between the top and the lake. The terrain is wild with no clear path, so make sure cloud is up rather than down — otherwise you won't be able to see where you're going, or the views.
Terrain: Wild, pathless upland
Footwear: Waterproof boots essential
Parking: ~45 min walk from lake
Highlight: Waterfall descent
Route: OS Maps Route — Llyn y Fan Fawr
Route: Route PDF — Discover Carmarthenshire
Dog note: Dogs must be kept on a lead during ground nesting season (end of March – July). Please pick up dog poo and take it home.
2. Llyn y Fan Fach
Stone track ascent · Waterfalls on the way up · Iconic ridgeline views
A steady walk up a good stone track for around 40 minutes to reach the lake. From there you can carry on upwards and around to capture the iconic ridge shot. If you're eager to cool off before reaching the lake, there are lovely little waterfalls the whole way up.
There are several route options — head straight up and back, or extend the walk to take in both Llyn y Fan Fach and Llyn y Fan Fawr in a single outing.
Ascent: Stone track, ~40 min
Parking: SA19 9UN
Option: Combine with Fawr
Highlight: Ridge photo spot
Dog note: Dogs must be kept on a lead during ground nesting season (end of March – July). Please pick up dog poo and take it home.
Route: OS Maps Route — Llyn y Fan Fach
3. Cwm Sawdde Fechan
Ancient Holloway · Marsh Orchids · Mountain streams · Riverside picnic spot
This is such a dreamy walk — one we did ourselves last summer. Pack a picnic for a riverside stop once you reach the mountain. We loved wandering through woodland along an old Holloway, crossing mountain streams and walking beside patches of Marsh Orchids.
It's one of those quiet gems that barely sees visitors even on a sunny bank holiday. Full details are available in our extended blog post on the walk.
Type: Valley & woodland walk
Feature: Ancient Holloway
Wildlife: Marsh Orchids
Vibe: Peaceful & remote
Route: OS Maps Route — Cwm Sawdde Fechan
Our guide with the whole route
4. Garn Goch Iron Age Hill Fort
Iron Age archaeology · Tywi Valley panoramas · Afternoon sun trap
A fantastic walk around one of Wales's most impressive Iron Age forts, with excellent views across the Tywi Valley and options to extend the route further. We love heading up to Garn Goch on a sunny afternoon — it's a wonderful sun trap and the views stretch for miles.
Type: Hill fort & moorland
Parking: SA19 6YY
Views: Tywi Valley
Interest: Iron Age archaeology
Route: OS Maps Route — Garn Goch (with extension)
5. Black Mountain Ridge
Circular ridge walk · Top Gear road · Excellent parking · Quieter side of the Beacons
Good parking makes this an excellent option on the quieter western side of Bannau Brycheiniog. You'll get to drive up the Black Mountain road made famous by Top Gear — though these days it has a 50 mph limit and average speed cameras along its length. It's also a popular route for road cyclists.
The circular ridge walk rewards with big open skies and long views, with relatively few other walkers even at peak times.
Type: Circular ridge walk
Parking: A4069, Llangadog (SA19 9PA)
Access: Good road access
Crowds: Quiet even in summer
Route: OS Maps Route — Black Mountain Circular Ridge
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