Trail Running > Routes > Brecon Beacons Routes > Tor y Foel (Talybont)
This classic 14 km trail run on the edge of the Brecon Beacons provides mighty views from a miniature mountain.
Why run this trail?
Tor y Foel (pronounced ‘tor-uh-voil’) literally translates as bald heap, according to a couple of local trail runners I met on a recent trip to the Brecon Beacons. It’s a perfect description – an exposed grassy dome standing tall above a receding hairline of bracken.
At 551 m, Tor y Foel is a just 49 m short of recognised mountain status, yet the summit views far outweigh its stature. Starting from the picturesque village of Talybont-on-Usk, this classic local route packs a surprising variety of terrain into its 14 kilometres: gentle canal towpaths, a wooded valley and a steep, exposed moorland push to the summit.
Talybont Towpath and the Brinore Tramroad
I arrived at my accommodation near Talybont-on-Usk on a steamy July afternoon, itching to stretch my legs after a long drive. Bags ditched, I kitted up and set off into the village via the Monmouth and Brecon Canal towpath – an easy, scenic jaunt with the odd narrow boat chugging lazily past.
I soon reached the charming village centre, with its local café and store and riverside beer gardens. Just before the White Hart Inn I crossed the canal bridge and turned immediately right to join the unmade track to the old Brinore Tramroad.
Only traces remain of this early 19th-century horse-drawn railway. It once provided a direct transport link to the canal for raw materials like limestone and iron from local industries. There are no rails left, but plenty of worn bedding stones set into the trail, and an information board en route to help you imagine its history.
I followed the trail – narrow and overgrown in places – as it ascended, tracking the base of the hillside and the dense perimeter of the forest to my left. The gradient was perfectly pitched and served as a sharpener for the main climb that lay ahead. Sweeping views of Talybont Reservoir and the dam gradually revealed themselves through gaps in the trees to my right as I climbed higher.
The Climb to Tor y Foel
After about 4 km, my GPS directed me left into the trees and through a metal gate onto the hillside. Through a thick carpet of bracken, the grassy mound of Tor y Foel suddenly came into view ahead of me.
This part of the track would likely be boggy during wetter months, but after a long, hot summer it was bone dry and pretty easy going, despite the gradient now starting to kick up a notch. It was a short hop up the hillside to cross a small tarmac road and start the climb to the summit proper.
The first 400 m of the climb averages 20% gradient and as I crested the top I felt cheated to discover that it was a false summit. The second leg – up to the summit itself – levelled out somewhat, but still provided a decent little workout. In total, it was a 1 km climb from the tarmac road to the top of Tor y Foel with an average gradient of 14% – a perfect way to find my mountain legs for some bigger days ahead.
At the summit, a flattened pile of stones marked the top. I paused to take in the panorama: looking west, the peaks of Allt Lwyd, Carn Pica and Waun Rydd in sharp relief; to the east, the Black Mountains and the peaks of Pen Cerrig-calch and Sugar Loaf were equally striking.
A Decent Descent
Starting to cool off a bit in the breeze, I embarked on the homeward leg under gathering skies. The descent was a fast 2 km dash on steep, grassy, non-technical terrain, visually enhanced by the conical peak of Sugar Loaf in the distance.
Tracking a pine plantation to my left, I wove between some fairly nonchalant sheep to reach a narrow lane at the base of the hill. Turning left, I then followed the lane for 500 m before bearing off left again to pick up the bridleway over a pasture which descended again to the bottom of the valley. Crossing immediately over the canal bridge, I picked up the towpath back north towards Talybont – a leisurely 4 km run back to the village.
My miniature mountain tour almost complete, I reflected on what had been a great introduction to the area. As I made my way through the peaceful world of narrow boats and canal-side flower beds, my thoughts turned suddenly towards a very large bowl of pasta and a cheeky beer. It was time to refuel and plan a big day tomorrow – the Pen y Fan Horseshoe.
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Disclaimer
All routes and GPX files are provided as a guide only. Conditions, rights of way, and landmarks may change. Always carry an up‑to‑date map and use your own judgement. See the Trail Run Disclaimer page for details.