From Storey Arms up Fan Fawr: route map, distance and time
734 m · Brecon Beacons
Fan Fawr is a 734 m Hewitt and Marilyn in Fforest Fawr, a short, steep climb from Storey Arms opposite Pen y Fan.
Head west from the road and climb the steep south-east nose to the broad grassy summit.
From Storey Arms at a glance
| Distance | 1.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 294 m |
| Time up | 0h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Storey Arms car park |
| Start grid reference | SN 982 203 |
| Summit grid reference | SN 969 193 |
From Storey Arms 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 From Storey Arms takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 40m | 1h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 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 16:04 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:12. Start by 16:02 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Fan Fawr summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 2% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 34 mph, 99% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:45, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for From Storey Arms: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 25 mph and a 2% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Fan Fawr forecast
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.
- 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 Fan Fawr
Fan Fawr is a 734 m Hewitt and Marilyn in Fforest Fawr, a short, steep climb from Storey Arms opposite Pen y Fan. More about Fan Fawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Y Gyrn (619 m), 2.9 km north-east
Challenges that include Fan Fawr
More walks from Storey Arms car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Storey Arms via the Tommy Jones obelisk up Corn Du
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 SN 969 193), 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.
From Storey Arms: questions and answers
How far is From Storey Arms?
From Storey Arms is 1.7 km one way to the summit of Fan Fawr, with 294 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 3.4 km.
How long does From Storey Arms take?
About 0h 50m to the summit of Fan Fawr and 1h 10m 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 1h 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for From Storey Arms?
From Storey Arms starts from Storey Arms car park. The grid reference is SN 982 203.
Is From Storey Arms 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 From Storey Arms today?
By 16:04 at the latest. Sunset on Fan Fawr today is 18:14, From Storey Arms takes about 1h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for From Storey Arms?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).