Pont ar Daf up Corn Du: route map, distance and time
872 m · Brecon Beacons
Corn Du is the flat-topped second summit of the Brecon Beacons, west of Pen y Fan, reached by the busy paths from Pont ar Daf.
A wide, pitched path climbs at an even gradient to the col below Corn Du, then a short steep section to the summit.
Pont ar Daf at a glance
| Distance | 2.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 431 m |
| Time up | 1h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Pont ar Daf car park |
| Start grid reference | SN 987 199 |
| Summit grid reference | SO 007 213 |
Pont ar Daf map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Pont ar Daf takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:14. Start by 15:24 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:12. Start by 15:22 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Corn Du summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Mostly dry, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 35 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 33 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for Pont ar Daf: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 35 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 4% (Low), best around 09:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Corn Du forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Corn Du?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Brecon Beacons forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 35 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Corn Du
Corn Du is the flat-topped second summit of the Brecon Beacons, west of Pen y Fan, reached by the busy paths from Pont ar Daf. More about Corn Du, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Pen y Fan (886 m), 0.6 km north-east
- Craig Gwaun Taf (826 m), 0.6 km south
- Cribyn (795 m), 1.7 km east
- Y Gyrn (619 m), 1.8 km west
Challenges that include Corn Du
More walks from Pont ar Daf car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Pont ar Daf up Pen y Fan
Other routes up Corn Du
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk | 3.0 km one way | 477 m | 1h 25m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SN 987 199, the summit at SO 007 213), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Pont ar Daf: questions and answers
How far is Pont ar Daf?
Pont ar Daf is 2.7 km one way to the summit of Corn Du, with 431 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.4 km.
How long does Pont ar Daf take?
About 1h 15m to the summit of Corn Du and 1h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Pont ar Daf?
Pont ar Daf starts from Pont ar Daf car park. The grid reference is SN 987 199.
Is Pont ar Daf suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Pont ar Daf today?
By 15:24 at the latest. Sunset on Corn Du today is 18:14, Pont ar Daf takes about 1h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Pont ar Daf?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).