South Wales Traverse

The South Wales Traverse is a long distance fell running challenge across the mountains of South Wales. It is a linear route of 118 kilometres (73 mi) taking in some 31 summits over 610 metres (2,000 ft) high, giving about 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) of ascent. The aim is for participants to complete the route, on foot, within 24 hours. Runners may start at either end, but traditionally it is run from west to east, so that the prevailing wind is on the runner's back and much of the ascent is done during the first half of the route. The route takes in the mountain ranges of the Black Mountain, Carmarthenshire Fans, Fforest Fawr, Central Brecon Beacons, and the Black Mountains, across most of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The Traverse is somewhat easier to complete than its English Lake District equivalent, the Bob Graham Round. However, far fewer runners have done so due to the relatively low numbers who have actually attempted it. The selection of summits that must be visited is somewhat arbitrary, they are merely over 610 metres (2,000 ft) high and no other rules appear to have been applied in selecting them. Some of the summits are really just bumps on the ridge and not really summits in their own right at all.

The fastest known crossing of the Traverse was by Mark Hartell in 1993. He completed the distance in 14 hours 42 minutes.[1]

The challenge is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "Brecon Beacons Traverse". This name really only refers to the section of the route from Storey Arms to Talybont over the Central Beacons and is a challenging day out favoured by some hillwalkers.

Route

Below is a list of the summits that must be visited starting at Pen Rhiw Wen/Herbert's Quarry, running west to East.

Summit Grid reference Altitude/m
Pen Rhiw-wen - A4069SN 730184495
1Garreg LwydSN 740179616
2Garreg LasSN 777203635
3Bannau Sir GaerSN 811218749
4Fan BrycheiniogSN 825218802
5Fan HirSN 830209761
Trecastell roadSN 853203369
A4067SN 870195387
6Fan GyhirychSN 880190725
7Fan NeddSN 913184663
Sarn Helen/minor road junctionSN 925185400
8Fan LliaSN 938186632
9Fan FrynychSN 957227629
10Rhos Dringarth (Craig Cerrig-gleisiad)SN 960217629
11Fan FawrSN 969193734
Storey ArmsSN 983203445
12Y GyrnSN 988215619
13DuwyntSO 005207824
14Corn DuSO 007213873
15Pen y FanSO 012215886
16CribynSO 023213795
17Waun RyddSO 062205769
18Allt LwydSO 078189654
AbercynafonSO 083177212
19Cefn yr YstradSO 086137607
PyrgadSO 101159260
Llangynidr - Red LionSO 155194127
Cwm-guSO 200209190
20Pen Cerrig-calchSO 217223701
21Pen Allt-mawrSO 206243719
22Mynydd LlysiauSO 207279663
23Waun FachSO 215299811
24Pen y Gadair FawrSO 229287800
25Pen Twyn MawrSO 242267658
Grwyne Fawr (minor road)SO 252285407
26Chwarel y FanSO 258294670
27Rhos DirionSO 211334713
28TwmpaSO 224350690
Gospel PassSO 235352550
29Hay BluffSO 244366677
30Black MountainSO 255350703
31Pen y Garn FawrSO 277311616
Llanthony Priory51°56′35″N 3°02′17″W / 51.943°N 3.038°WSO 287279241

Route profile

Below is a profile of the route, again starting at Pen Rhiw Wen/Herbert's Quarry, running west to East.

South Wales Traverse profile

See also

References

Coordinates: 51°51′00″N 3°50′42″W / 51.850°N 3.845°W