Alternative ways to explore the Brecon Beacons

To exhaust the Brecon Beacons seems to be impossible. No matter how many times you visit, there is still opportunity to discover more…

An area of outstanding beauty, there are so many ways to make the most of it!

Whether you are a keen trekker, hiker, mountain biker or simply enjoy having a weekend away in Wales, the Welsh National Park is an exciting area of land to explore.

What’s more, you don’t simply have to visit the Beacons on foot! In fact, the area offers visitors the opportunity to make the most of the great outdoors in any way you want to!

Check out the following 5 alternative ways to explore the Brecon Beacons.

1. Scenic horse rides in the Brecon Beacons

The Welsh National Park has over 600 miles of horse riding tracks and bridle paths, making the area one of the most sought-after in Europe for keen horse-riders taking a break from the daily grind.

The perfect respite? A few days away with one of the most intelligent animals and the huge expanse of the Beacons can calm even the most hectic of lifestyles.

Expect to find nothing on your rides other than ancient tracks, country pubs serving tasty lunches, wildlife, hills and fields. 

Horse riders aren’t totally left to roam free here though. In addition to the variety of pony trekking and riding lessons available, there are clear waymarked routes to follow.

Why not venture on the following well-known routes when horse-riding in the Beacons?

• Radnor Forest Ride

Discovered and developed by the British Horse Society (BHS), the Radnor Forest Ride is part of the National Bridle route Network.

The ride consists of 70 miles of undulating landscape, allowing riders to soak up a large area of Welsh natural beauty on horseback.

• Three Rivers Ride

A shorter ride than the Radnor Forest Ride that, despite this, does not lack in scenery, the Three Rivers Ride takes you along the west of the Black Mountains, past the Llangorse Lakes, across the River Usk to finish at the visitor centre.

A truly wonderful ride that includes varied terrain and technical areas.

• Crychan Forest

Crychan Forest is on the border of the Brecon Beacons, however, offers equally magnificent horse riding opportunities.

It is situated at the gateway to the Cambrian mountains and routed range from 5 to 25 miles in length. So, you’ll find a horse ride here for all abilities.

Horse riding in the Brecon Beacons is incredibly popular and the National Park is an iconic destination for horse riders both in the UK and Europe. Despite its popularity, you’ll be amazed at the serenity of the landscape when riding out in it, either on your own or in a group. 

 

2. Take on Titan Brecon

If you’re up for a challenge, perhaps you’ll take on Titan Brecon as an alternative way to adventure across the Beacons?

A middle distance triathlon, you’ll have the opportunity to swim, bike and run across the magnificent Welsh country park.

While a sell out Welsh triathlon may not be for everyone, Titan Brecon offers the more competitive amongst us the opportunity to swim 1.2 miles in the lake at Parc Bryn Bach, just at the bottom of the Black Mountains and cycle 90 miles across the Brecon Moors.

Finishing the triathlon with a 13.1 mile run around the lake, why not stay longer in the Brecon Beacons once you’ve completed the event?

You’ll also want to visit a couple of times beforehand too, to practice the bike and the run route.

Some time to relax in the hotel spa after heavy training wouldn’t go amiss either…

 

3. Go underground at the Beacons

Another alternative way to explore the Beacons is, in fact, not to explore the National Park but venture underneath it!

Underground at the Beacons, there is an absolute playground of caves and mines.

If you have children, they’ll love finding out more about what lies beneath this beautiful Welsh landscape.

Start with a visit to Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcaves and see beautiful caverns and unusual rock formations. Next, discover the Big Pit Coal Museum and, finally, keep an eye out for a selection of guided underground sightseeing trips!

4. See the view from a canoe

Canoeing is a great, and relaxing, way of exploring the Brecon Beacon National Park. The River Usk and The River Wye are very popular rivers for canoeing. Well-known points to get on the water are located at Brecon Promenade, Glasbury and Hay-on-Wye.

As an area of conservation, there are some parts of these rivers that you cannot canoe on. This is managed by the Wye and Usk Foundation. By controlling the use of the river and how much we can splash around in it, the Wye and Usk Foundation strives to keep the National Park in the most natural condition possible, whilst allowing visitors to enjoy what the Brecon Beacons has to offer. 

 

5. Have a go at gliding

From exploring land, water and underground to...Brecon air!

Not for the faint-hearted, there are opportunities to try gliding waiting for you in the Brecon Beacons…

Paragliding, power kiting, gliding and hang gliding are all possible activities at the Brecon Beacons for those who are trained and permitted to glide!

The views from the air looking down over the park are inspiring and will, most definitely help you feel totally free!

Perhaps you should sign up for a tandem glide with the British Gliding Association?

 

Autumn breaks at Lake Country House Hotel & Spa

After a day out visiting the wonders of the National Park this Autumn,whether you choose to walk, run, ride, cycle, fly, swim or canoe, there is nothing better than settling down at the Lake Country House Hotel & Spa come late afternoon and evening.

Relax in the spa, enjoy the leisure activities, explore the hotel’s 50 acres of land, enjoy a fine dining experience and tuck in to a comfortable bed.

Wake up refreshed after a night’s sleep in the hotel, tuck into a tasty, fuelling Welsh breakfast and enjoy each and every day of your Autumn break at the Lake Country House Hotel & Spa.