Calon Lân 300 Route Recces / The Cambrian Way

Calon Lân 300 / Cambrian Way Recce – Penwyllt to Storey Arms

Date: Sunday 2nd August 2026

Strava says: 12 miles

Elevation: 2,644 ft / 806 m

Weather: Warm and sunny

Start: Penwyllt

Finish: Storey Arms

Route type: Recce

Conditions: Dry

Strava link: Penwyllt to Storey Arms

I went with my bestest running buddy Fran, although we chose to hike rather than run as it was a beautiful day and we wanted to use a map and compass for the whole route.

Coming out of Penwyllt the route is easy to follow, the route bears left towards the corner of a wood and then winds up on a gravelled track, there is a detour to Fan Gyhirych, cut across fell or stay on the track a bit longer to make a right onto a path which leads directly to the trig point. The Cambrian Way runs parallel to the gravelled track and then meets it at a style. Fan Nedd is in front, follow the wall to the left of Fan Nedd until you reach the road. Cross over, pass Maen Lila and aim for the wall, bear left. This was the only tricky part of the route this day, there was no obvious trail, we crossed open fell heading towards Fan Dringarth but there should be a path which we could not locate. At the ridge we were able to get on to the correct path. Easy to follow until Storey Arms.

12 miles | hike | 4h 50m 23s

Logistics Penwyllt to Storey Arms

We both drove to Pont ar Daf LD3 8NL (day parking £7.50, toilets, usually a coffee and food van) Storey Arms, free parking available at Storey Arms more free parking just a little bit further along the road, on the left, nearest postcode Brecon LD3 8NH. We left one car there and then drove (35 minutes) to the South Wales Caving Club, Penwyllt SA9 1GQ free parking to commence our hike. On arriving at Storey Arms, it was a short walk to Pont ar Daf we both jumped into the car, and drove to Penwyllt to pick up the second car.

Calon Lân 300 / Cambrian Way Recce – Torpantau to Crickhowell

Date: Tuesday 21st July 2026

Strava says: 16.95 miles

Elevation: 2,218 ft / 676 m

Weather: Hot and sunny

Start: Torpantau

Finish: Crickhowell

Route type: Recce

Conditions: Dry

Strava link: Torpantau to Crickhowell

I found the nav a little bit tricky on this section as there was a lot of open fell with sheep trods more than paths. The initial route up to Pant y Creigiau was easy enough but from there to the quarry I had to keep an eye on my compass bearing, once you can see the quarry (in the hope race day there is visibility) then you know to head towards it. You keep the quarry to your right, following the fence line which then turns 90 degrees left, then 90 degrees right, sticking to a fence line. Stay on the Trefil Road for a short while before turning off to the left on a path that varies from distinct to none, heading to Mynydd Llangynidr and past the Chartists Cave, the path is much more visible now. Once at Blaen Onneu you’ll soon be bearing left at a fork down to the road. Stay on the road until reaching the Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve for a surprisingly steep climb to get up on to the level path which follows the Llangatwg quarries. Do not get carried away and miss the turn to take the surprisingly steep down (or maybe not because of the aforementioned climb!) where you join a lane which takes you past Brecon Park Boats. You need to get on the canal, the access was closed when I did this recce but it is easy enough to go through the houses to reach the next canal bridge access point. Follow the canal until Llangattock, through a church and pop out opposite the stone bridge of Crickhowell.

16.95 miles | 3h 52m 24s

Logistics Torpantau to Crickhowell

I parked at Taf Fechan (free) (Horseshoe Ridge Car Park, CF48 2UT) Fran kindly picked me up from Crickhowell to drop me back at my car. If going in two cars, park one at the car park nearer Torpantau (what3words ///townhouse.ridiculed.valued) for free and the other at Beaufort Street Car Park, Crickhowell NP8 1AD (car park charges apply). Drive time between the two is about 40 minutes.

Calon Lân 300 / Cambrian Way Recce – Abergavenny to Pontypool

Date: Thursday 9th July 2026

Strava says: 12.38 miles

Elevation: 2,218 ft / 676 m

Weather: Hot and sunny

Start: Abergavenny

Finish: Pontypool

Route type: Recce

Conditions: Dry

Strava link: Abergavenny to Pontypool

Through Linda Vista gardens, over the road, up the lane past the garden centre and then the big climb up the Blorenge. It was HOT. Lovely path down off the Blorenge to Foxhunters Car Park, cross over the road at the masts and follow the very rocky Cambrian Way passing over Mynydd y Garn Fawr (503 m). Upon reaching a road, it’s a short bit of easy running before heading right across open fell. As you come off the fell the route is easier to follow. Pass a golf course (not that obvious, well I didn’t think so!) to follow a fence line (stone wall) which brings you to a road crossing to head towards the Folly Tower. I made the mistake of missing the turning to the Shell Grotto, it was very overgrown. I went back the next day to retrace my steps. After the Shell Grotto, the path is easy to follow, through Pontypool Park. You exit the park through the gates. There is petrol station here on the route to pick up drinks and snacks.

12.38 miles | 3h 36m 48s

Logistics Abergavenny to Pontypool

Park for free (apart from Tuesday’s) at Tudor Street Car Park, Abergavenny NP7 5YL. Once you exit the Pontypool Park divert off the route to go around 1 mile to Pontypool and New Inn train station NP4 0PG and take the direct train (9 minutes) to Abergavenny train station and walk to the car at Tudor Street (0.8 mile).

Calon Lân 300 / Cambrian Way Recce – Pontypool to Crosskeys

Date: Friday 10th July 2026

Strava says: 9.21 miles

Elevation: 1,391 ft / 424 m

Weather: Hot and sunny

Start: Pontypool

Finish: Crosskeys

Route type: Recce

Conditions: Dry

Strava link: Pontypool to Crosskeys

This was a very easy route to follow. Wildlife spotted: newt, fake adder, rabbit and red kite. East runnable route, the fort is visible for a long time and is a great little climb up the steps for views, and then back down the steps the other side. Great runnable downhill off Twmbarlwm all the way down into Crosskeys.

9.21 miles | 2h 03m 31s

Logistics Pontypool to Crosskeys

I parked on a residential road (no permits/free) near Crosskeys train station, NP11 7DG, the train station does not have a car park. There were no trains due to the extreme heat so I took a taxi to Pontypool. However trains require a change at Newport and take around 50 minutes.

Calon Lân 300 / Cambrian Way Recce – Crosskeys to Cardiff

Date: Friday 31st July 2026

Strava says: 20.02 miles

Elevation: 2,546 ft / m

Weather: Hot and sunny

Start: Crosskeys

Finish: Cardiff

Route type: Recce

Conditions: Dry

Strava link: Crosskeys to Cardiff

After Waunfawr Cottage the path heads up towards a wide track, turn left on to the track and keep an eye out for the right turn off the track, otherwise, super easy to follow. Cath joined me for a few miles which was lovely. Did a fair bit of DBR reminising when I was on the Taff Trail. Arrived at the castle sooner than expected (that was nice!) and then detoured off the route to head to car parked near the train station.

20.02 miles | 4h 14m 33s

Logistics Crosskeys to Cardiff

I parked at Central Quay Car Park, Cardiff, CF10 5DS, pay on exit. I caught the direct train (30 – 40 minutes) to Crosskeys from Cardiff Central. From Crosskeys train station to picking up the route at Blackvein Road it’s not far, around half a mile.

Map used: Harvey Maps Cambrian Way South.