Craig Cerrig Gleisiad a Fan Frynych

Craig-Cerrig-gleisiad a Fan Frynych lies in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, and dramatically illustrates - on a huge scale - the glacial processes that carved the shape of this fantastic landscape. The reserve itself is an upland area of steep sided crags, sharp escarpments, huge lumpy moraines and a large shady north-facing cwm. These steep slopes are welcome refuges for communities of arctic-alpine plants and some rare birds, while there are also a variety of smaller habitats within the upland. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, as a great many archaeological remains lay testament to – including an Iron Age village and a Roman road and tollhouse. Many of these are scheduled ancient monuments. The reserve is actively managed by allowing grazing cattle and sheep to roam and roll, which helps control bracken levels.

The reserve also forms part of the Brecon Beacons Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) & Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Grid Ref: SN956227 Area: 488.38 hectares

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Visiting

A well made path stems away from the lay-by, but this can get quite steep in places and there are some steps.

Other paths run through the reserve, though many of these are steep and uneven.

_{Photo ©CCW}

_{Photographs©CCW}

The Forest Lodge Route is a rutted track, and can get wet and muddy in winter, while the Plas y Fan route is stony and might get slippery in poor weather conditions.

Although there is open access high up on the mountain, care should be taken, given the natural hazards of steep drops and falling rocks.

How to get there

The main reserve access point is from a large lay-by some 11 kilometres south west of Brecon and three-and-a-half kilometres north of the Storey Arms on the A470.

_{Photo by Ian Clifford©}

Additional access to the reserve is possible from Forest Lodge and Plas y Fan.

Transport
A bus service runs from Brecon to Merthyr Tyfil, along the A470.

For more information on services and times, contact Traveline Cymru on
0871 2002233 or on www.traveline-cymru.org.uk

Facilities

A picnic area and viewpoint are provided near the lay-by on the A470. Leaflets are available at the top of the footpath near the car park.

The nearest accessible toilets are at the Mountain Centre or Storey Arms about three-and-a-half kilometres away.

_Photo©CCW

Who looks after it?

The reserve is managed by CCW.

You can contact the southern region reserves team via the CCW enquiries help line on 0845 1306229 or by email at enquires@ccw.gov.uk. You can also write to us at the address under ‘Contact the team’.

Wildlife

_Photo©CCW

The cliffs, glacial landforms and moorland can be enjoyed at any time of year in this glorious landscape. Upland flowers and birds are at their best and most visible in the spring, especially in May and June, and heather is at the height of its glory in late August and September.

All in, the flora comprises about 300 species, about 100 of which are mosses and liverworts.

Of major interest is the arctic-alpine flora that occurs mainly on the cliffs, where such species are comfortable in their unique microclimate, and where there is very little grazing.

Notable species include the:

Purple saxifrage
Green spleenwort
Lesser meadow rue
Cowberry

Most of these plants are at, or near, the southern limit of their range in Britain.

The moorland supports two major vegetation types:

Mat-grass. This is widespread over the uplands of the Brecon Beacons
Dwarf shrub heath. Which is dominated by heather and bilberry. This habitat was once common over much of these uplands but is now rare.

Small streams, pools and bogs add to the variety of habitats here, which in turn provides a diverse range of species. Typical upland birds often nest on the crags, such as: