All walks › Bannau Brycheiniog: Central Beacons
Bannau Brycheiniog: Central BeaconsPontsticill Reservoir
Round the shore of the Taf Fechan reservoir with the Brecon Mountain Railway running along one side and the Bannau escarpment ahead.
- Distance
- 4.3 mi / 7 km
- Time
- 2 hr 20
- Ascent
- 150 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
Tracks and lanes circle the reservoir from the village, with woodland on the eastern shore. Undulating but never steep.
Worth knowing
- The Brecon Mountain Railway runs steam trains along the eastern shore and stops at Pontsticill.
- The Taff Trail passes through, linking north to Talybont and south to Merthyr.
- The reservoir level drops considerably in dry summers, exposing the old road.
What you’ll see
The reservoir, the steam railway, forestry, and Pen y Fan at the head of the valley.
Background
Pontsticill was completed in 1927 for Cardiff’s water supply, and the railway that served the works became the heritage line.