Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach up Picws Du: route map, distance and time
749 m · Brecon Beacons
Picws Du is a summit on the Carmarthen Fans in the western Brecon Beacons, rising above the lake of Llyn y Fan Fach.
A track to Llyn y Fan Fach, then a path up the escarpment to the summit.
Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach at a glance
| Distance | 7.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 556 m |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Llanddeusant car park |
| Start grid reference | SN 779 228 |
| Summit grid reference | SN 811 218 |
Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach 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 Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 45m |
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 07:44, sunset 18:15. Start by 13:25 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:13. Start by 13:23 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Picws Du 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 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:44, sunset 18:15.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 30 mph gusting 38 mph, 98% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:13.
Best day of the next seven for Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 21% (Low), best around 08:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Picws Du forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Picws 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 30 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 Picws Du
Picws Du is a summit on the Carmarthen Fans in the western Brecon Beacons, rising above the lake of Llyn y Fan Fach. More about Picws Du, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Twr y Fan Foel (803 m), 1.3 km east
- Waun Lefrith (676 m), 1.4 km west
- Fan Hir (760 m), 2.1 km south-east
Challenges that include Picws Du
More walks from Llanddeusant car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach up Fan Brycheiniog - Twr y Fan Foel
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SN 779 228, the summit at SN 811 218), 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.
Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach: questions and answers
How far is Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach?
Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach is 7.2 km one way to the summit of Picws Du, with 556 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 14.4 km.
How long does Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Picws Du and 3h 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 4h 45m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach?
Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach starts from Llanddeusant car park. The grid reference is SN 779 228.
Is Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach 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 Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach today?
By 13:25 at the latest. Sunset on Picws Du today is 18:15, Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach takes about 3h 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 Llanddeusant via Llyn y Fan Fach?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).