Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk 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 path climbs past the obelisk and onto the ridge to the summit.
Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk at a glance
| Distance | 3.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 477 m |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Storey Arms |
| Start grid reference | SN 982 203 |
| Summit grid reference | SO 007 213 |
Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk 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 Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 25m |
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 15:14 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:12. Start by 15:12 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m 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 Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk: 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 Storey Arms
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- From Storey Arms up Fan Fawr
Other routes up Corn Du
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pont ar Daf | 2.7 km one way | 431 m | 1h 15m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SN 982 203, 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.
Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk: questions and answers
How far is Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk?
Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk is 3.0 km one way to the summit of Corn Du, with 477 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.0 km.
How long does Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Corn Du and 2h 0m 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 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk?
Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk starts from Storey Arms. The grid reference is SN 982 203.
Is Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk 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 Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk today?
By 15:14 at the latest. Sunset on Corn Du today is 18:14, Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk takes about 2h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).