Weekends & Short Breaks
Waterfall Country Walking Weekend – Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
Welcome to Large Outdoors, where we specialise in sociable small-group walking trips led by professional guides. This brand new weekend offers a relaxed introduction to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), focusing on peaceful valleys, spectacular waterfalls, and gentle public footpaths rather than high summits. We’ll be based at a comfortable hotel with everything arranged so you can simply arrive, walk and enjoy good company. This trip is fully public transport accessible, including a free station collection.
The Basics:
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Group Size: Maximum 8
Level: Leisurely
Pricing & Accommodation: From £245 per person. Shared rooms, single rooms, twin rooms, and double rooms available - see booking calendar for specific dates and pricing.
Booking Calendar…
Waterfalls, Woodlands & a Relaxed Weekend Away
While many people associate Bannau Brycheiniog with big climbs like Pen-y-Fan, this weekend takes a completely different approach. We’ll explore the famous Waterfall Country, follow riverside paths, wander through mossy gorges, and enjoy some of the most peaceful scenery in South Wales at a leisurely pace. The routes suit those who want to walk without rushing, enjoy the landscape, and share the experience with a friendly group.
Wildlife, folklore, limestone formations, industrial heritage and woodland birdlife all feature in this lesser-known but unforgettable part of the National Park.
“How to Pronounce Bannau Brycheiniog
Pronounced “Ban-eye Bry-chey-nee-og”, this Welsh name translates to “the Peaks of Brychan’s Kingdom,” reflecting the area’s rich history and connection to Welsh heritage. Don’t worry if it takes a few tries – even locals debate the finer points of Welsh pronunciation!”
Suggested Itinerary
Here’s what we’ve planned for the weekend – though we may adjust the itinerary if weather conditions or unexpected circumstances require us to do so!
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Check in from 15:00 and meet your guide and fellow walkers in the hotel before dinner. We eat together at the hotel so anyone arriving later can simply join us without needing to head back out. This is a friendly and informal first evening designed to help everyone settle in.
For those travelling by train, we offer a free collection from Merthyr Tydfil station at 18:00. This must be booked in advance either during checkout or by emailing the office at least 7 days before the weekend.
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Distance: 7–9 miles (11–14 km)
Today we head into the heart of Waterfall Country for a full day of leisurely walking through woodland, gorges and river valleys. The area is famous for its series of cascades including Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, and the iconic Sgwd yr Eira, where you can walk behind the waterfall itself.Expect ancient woodland, exposed limestone, moss-covered boulders, beautiful river scenery and a route that feels like stepping into another world. There’s time to stop, enjoy the views, and take in the full atmosphere of this unique landscape before returning to the hotel late afternoon.
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For our final morning we’ll take a gentler route close to Merthyr Tydfil, combining quiet woodland and canal paths with a glimpse into the area’s rich industrial past. Possible starting points include the Taff Trail and sections of the Brecon & Monmouthshire Canal, with views toward the surrounding hills but staying on low-level, easy-going terrain.
We’ll finish with time for a drink or a café stop before returning to Merthyr Tydfil station for drop-offs between 15:00–16:00.
Why Visit Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)?
The Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park offers much more than its well-known summits. It’s a landscape of wooded gorges, river valleys, cave systems, waterfalls and small communities with deep roots in Welsh history and culture.
Waterfall Country – This area is home to some of Wales’ most impressive falls, including Sgwd Clun-Gwyn and Sgwd yr Eira, where a path leads right behind the curtain of water. Woodland paths, rivers and limestone rock formations make it a special place to explore on foot.
Famous Peaks, Relaxed Valleys – Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du may draw the crowds, but the lower-level walks offer a quieter way to experience the National Park, with open views, peaceful trails and no need to take on steep climbs.
History & Folklore – From old farmsteads and standing stones to industrial remains and traditional place names, this landscape is full of stories. Many routes pass traces of early mining, droving routes and legends woven into the hills.
Wildlife & Nature – Keep an eye out for red kites, dippers on the river, and the changing colours of ancient woodland through the seasons. Waterfalls create a unique habitat, with mosses, ferns and plant life thriving in the spray.
Why Join a Large Outdoors Walking Weekend?
A Large Outdoors walking weekend is designed to be friendly, straightforward, and enjoyable from the moment you arrive. It’s not just about the routes – it’s about sharing the experience with others.
Guided by Professionals – Our leaders know the area well, set a steady pace, and help bring the landscape to life with stories, local history and wildlife knowledge.
Easy to Join – Whether you’re coming alone or with a friend, the format makes it simple to meet people, chat as you walk, and enjoy good company over shared meals.
No Stress, No Planning – Accommodation, meals, routes and transport during the weekend are organised for you. Just turn up ready to walk and enjoy yourself.
Carefully Chosen Locations – Every trip focuses on places that work well for sociable group walking, from coastal trails to valleys, waterfalls and National Parks.
Essential Information
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Duration: Two nights, three days
Activity: Walking
Activity Rating: Leisurely
Group Size: 8
Age: 18+
Dogs: No Dogs, except trained assistance dogs -
Car-free Experience: Free pick-ups from local train stations, or make your own way to the accommodation. All transport during the trip is included.
Pickups - must be booked in advance. Free collection from Merthyr Tydfil Train Station at 18:00.
Notes: If you've travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket) to allow for flexibility.
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Check-in from: 15:00
Meeting: In the bar from 18:00
Train Station Collection: Merthyr Tydfil Train Station at 18:00
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 15:00 - 16:00. -
Name & Address:
Premier Inn Merthyr Tydfil
Duffryn Road,
Pentrebach,
Merthyr Tydfil,
CF48 4BBType: Hotel
Rooms Available: Single Rooms, Twin Rooms, Double Rooms, Shared Rooms
Beds: NO Bunkbeds
Bathrooms: En-suiteParking: Free Parking available at the accommodation - please ensure you register you number plate in reception.
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Breakfast - Cooked Buffet Included
Packed Lunches - Not Included, we will stop at a local shop / cafe for you to purchase what you wish.
Evening Meals - Not Included
Soft Drinks - Tea & Coffee making facilities in the room
Alcoholic Drinks - Not included. This venue has a bar and only drinks purchased maybe consumed.
Vegetarian, vegan, and meals made from gluten-free ingredients can be provided. Please select the relevant options during checkout.
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Travel to and from the meeting location or station pick-up.
Any extras, excursions, or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Any food, drinks, or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurants, pubs, or cafés visited.
Kits List: Walking Holiday / Weekend
FAQ’s: Answers to our most common questions
Travel insurance: We recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, and injury and death.
About our mileage ranges
We list distances as a 2-mile range because GPS watches, apps and route planners all show different results. Our mileage is based on OS Maps Explorer online, but in a group it’s normal for each person to record different figures. Listing a range gives a fairer picture of the day.
Booking FAQ’s
Can I book with a deposit?
Yes, if the trip is more than 12 weeks away you can secure your place with a 20% deposit. The balance is due no later than 10 weeks before travel. You will receive a series of reminder emails when the balance is due. If the trip is less than 12 weeks away, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes – although our system doesn't have a function to do this automatically. If you'd like to split your payments, simply email us (hello@largeoutdoors.com) when you'd like to make a payment. Please don't forget to tell us how much you'd like to pay off the balance and your order number. We'll then send you an email with a secure online payment link.
Booking Calendar!
Brecon Beacons Fact File
Welsh Name: Bannau Brycheiniog, pronounced "Ban-eye Bry-chey-nee-og."
English Translation: The English name is Brecon Beacons, though the Welsh name is now widely used to reflect the region’s heritage.
Highest Peak: Pen-y-Fan at 870m (2,900ft).
Established: Declared a National Park in 1957.
Famous Trails: Includes the Waterfall Country trails, Beacons Way, and the Four Falls Walk.
Wildlife Highlights: Home to red kites, buzzards, otters, and Welsh mountain ponies.
Geology: A mix of sandstone and limestone, shaped by glaciers and rivers over millennia.
Where are the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)?
The Brecon Beacons – now officially known by their Welsh name Bannau Brycheiniog – are located in South Wales, forming one of the UK’s National Parks. This upland area stretches from Llandeilo in the west to Abergavenny in the east, covering over 500 square miles of rolling hills, high peaks, waterfalls, and moorland.
Easily accessible from cities like Cardiff, Bristol, and Birmingham, the Brecon Beacons are a popular destination for walking and exploring. Key access points include towns such as Brecon, Crickhowell, and Hay-on-Wye, with Pen y Fan – the highest point in southern Britain – drawing many walkers to the central part of the park.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.