How I Spent 3 Dog-Friendly Days in the Brecon Beacons 

A 3-day dog-friendly Brecon Beacons itinerary including the Four Waterfalls Walk, Pen y Fan, lakes, scenic drives and dog-friendly accommodation.

Above: The gorgeous Sgwd y Pannwr

I’ve wanted to explore the Brecon Beacons with my dog, Chicken for SO LONG. A slow, dog-first trip through one of the most beautiful parts of Wales, with zero pressure to “do it all”.

So that’s exactly what we did: three dog-friendly days in the Brecon Beacons, filled with waterfalls, mountain walks, wild swims, family time, laughter, slightly questionable weather choices… and a very proud dog mum (and granny!) moment or two.

If you’re looking for dog-friendly things to do in the Brecon Beacons, here’s exactly how our trip went!

🥾 Day One: Four Waterfalls Walk & Jurassic Bark Vibes

✨ Four Waterfalls Walk
This is one of the most iconic walks in the Brecon Beacons! a short, roughly 5-mile circular route through the woodland of Waterfall Country. Along the way you’ll reach four different waterfalls, including Sgwd yr Eira, where you can literally walk behind the cascade if water levels allow! This walk really shines after a period of heavier rainfall or during the quieter shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, when the waterfalls are at their most dramatic and the paths are far less crowded.

Above: Chicken at Sgwd yr Eira Wearing Frog Chérie 

We started this walk very early, which, after a 2½-hour drive, felt slightly unhinged to Mum / Nanny Crumbles (Chicken, meanwhile, is a seasoned professional: “Why are we awake at 4am again? Oh. Adventure time.”). But it was absolutely the right call. Combined with lower recent rainfall, the early start meant the trail was practically empty. Having the waterfalls almost entirely to ourselves was honestly incredible. Quiet, peaceful, zero crowds. If you can manage an early start, I’d recommend it every single time.

I used THIS MAP from Chris Knight, which I recommend so highly! 
You can read his amazing blog post about the walk (and find lots more) HERE.

Above: Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn

The trail can be easy-moderate to challenging in parts, there are some slippery stones and tricky little climbs, (we also, of course, got lost as usual exploring a little too hard!) so good shoes are essential, but the scenes are spectacular and totally worth it. There are also great spots for a paddle or short wild swim if the weather’s warm.

Above: Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn

🐶 Dog Tip: Dogs are allowed on this walk but it’s a good idea to keep them on a lead around the waterfalls and of course any livestock, which you'll likely see at the start of the walk. 

National Showcaves Centre for Wales 🦖



After all that hiking, we turned the day to underground adventure at the National Showcaves Centre for Wales. Me and my mum felt like lil kids again, had so much fun but also learnt a lot! It’s a massive cave system complete with Dan-yr-Ogof, Cathedral Cave and Bone Cave, with dramatic rock formations and a real sense of ✨ ancient mystery ✨

Above ground, the centre has a full dinosaur park, which is so much fun to explore. Giant dinosaur models are dotted around the paths, making it feel a bit like Jurassic Park in Wales, and yes, we absolutely took all the dinosaur photos 🦕
It’s playful, slightly surreal, and a really nice contrast to the more dramatic, atmospheric caves below.

Friendly Doggos are permitted into all of the Showcaves, but dogs must be on a short lead, and don't forget your doggy bags!

 Dogs are not permitted in The Shire Horse Centre area where the Farm, Play Areas and Millennium Stone Circles are situated, and also the Coffee Shop  (Nanny Crumble & I took turns holding Chicken outside while popping in for a loo break).


Arriving at our Accomodation - Sgwd Gwladys 🏘️

We stayed at Sgwd Gwladys and it ended up being one of those places you’re genuinely REALLY excited to recommend!

The location is brilliant, it’s right on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and only about 100 metres from the Waterfall Country entrance!

The room itself had everything we needed: a comfortable double bed, private en-suite bathroom with shower, WiFi, TV (with Netflix), tea and coffee facilities, plus towels and toiletries provided. After long days exploring waterfalls and climbing hills, collapsing into that bed felt incredible. Chicken Nudie was a big fan of the sign in our room, too!

If you know me, you’ll also know I’m always on the hunt for budget friendly accommodation when travelling with Chicken, (which has occasionally resulted in us staying in some…  interesting hostels over the years!) So finding somewhere that felt cosy, clean, comfortable and still really affordable was such a win. It was also genuinely dog-friendly, not just “dogs allowed”, Chicken was welcome in all area's including the restaurant.

When you’re exhausted from a full day of walking, having great food right where you’re staying is also just priceless. I had an absolute dream of a vegan bacon baguette that I’m still thinking about. Vegan friends, your good here!

If you’re looking for dog-friendly accommodation near Waterfall Country or the Brecon Beacons, this is such a great option.

⚡ Zoomies Before Bed at Aberavon Beach!

After dinner we made a quick detour to Aberavon Beach for a short walkie, but mainly because something very important was finally happening… Chicken was meeting her half-sister, Mavis!

We finally met up with Mavis and her lovely mum Jenny! Aberavon is a great spot for dog walks too, a huge stretch of sand and seafront that’s perfect for zoomies, with parts of the beach allowing dogs year-round and seasonal restrictions on the main section in summer.

They got on brilliantly, launching into sandy sister zoomies which was adorable! 

It was the perfect way to end the day.

Day one: complete.
Very knackered vibes, very big sleepy time required!!

Day Two: Henrhyd Falls, Lakes & Long Sniffs 🚣

🌿 Henrhyd Falls
The walk to the falls is relatively short and accessible compared to the Four Waterfalls route, making it a great stop if you want something scenic without committing to a long hike! There are a few paths to explore around the area, and the surrounding woodland is lovely for a gentle wander or a pause to take it all in.

We followed the National Trust Route.

We got there early again (a recurring theme on this trip of course), and it paid off. In fact, we only saw one other group of people the entire time we were there! Having the place almost to ourselves made it feel extra special and peaceful.

I couldn’t resist going for a (VERY COLD) swim, and it was so nice. Cold, refreshing, and accompanied by extreme judgement from Chicken on the sidelines. Even if you don’t fancy a full dip, it’s a gorgeous spot for a paddle, a pause, or just sitting and taking it all in! Henrhyd Falls is one of those places that really sticks with you. The above photos show the little extra hike we took to explore the area, where we found some beautiful nature alongside some 'mini waterfalls!'.

 Llangorse Lake 🦢 

Next we headed to Llangorse Lake the largest natural lake in South Wales!
Complete with walking paths around the lake to explore or picnic by the water.

You can hire boats (rowboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and more), and spend a peaceful half an hour on the water taking in the views of the peaks around you. And, good news for pawrents Dogs are allowed on the boats 🐶🚣
As long as your pup is comfortable on water and you’re happy managing them onboard, they’re welcome to join you for the adventure!

There are walking paths around the lake too, with lots of space to sniff, explore or picnic by the water. Just a quick heads-up for dog parents: there are loads of birds on the lake, so keeping an eye (and a lead) on bird-enthusiast dogs is a good idea 🐦🐕

The Rest of Day Two: Here, There & Everywhere 📍

After Henrhyd Falls and Llangorse Lake, the rest of Day Two was very much a “save some Princess Chicky energy” kind of afternoon. Instead of committing to another long hike, we leaned into shorter walkies, mostly scenic stop-offs, and a gentle mini road trip... and accidentally created a very long “we’ll absolutely be back ASAP to do this properly” list 😅 

The following are perfect for leg stretches, long sniffs, and soaking up the views without overdoing it, but most also have some great walks if you want something longer!

📍 Talybont Reservoir
Mirror-calm water, rolling hills, and easily one of the dreamiest photo spots of the trip! There is a choice of gentle walks, from a popular, mostly flat loop around the reservoir to paths linking up with the Taff Trail.

📍 Torpantau
Bonus of an abandoned railway tunnel that makes the area feel slightly hidden and untouched.

📍 Caerfanell
The Caerfanell walks are some of the prettiest bits of Talybont Forest. Waterfalls, mossy trees, dipping spots, and quieter trails. Here is a popular route.

📍 Taf Fechan
Calm riverside paths and woodland trails nearby, ideal for long sniffs, gentle walks, and letting dogs explore without committing to a longer hike.

📍 Pontsticill Reservoir
Super scenic, with mountain views in every direction, a striking tower sitting right in the middle of the water and the famous "plug hole".  Check out the Ponsticll circular walk if you want to spend longer here!

📍 Brecon Mountain Railway 🚂
Sadly closed when we visited, but we still had a peek while passing through definitely one to come back for another time. Dogs are welcome on all trains for a small fee (assistance dogs free).

All of these stops sit fairly close together, making them ideal for a relaxed, scenic road-trip-style afternoon.

We then headed back to our accommodation, devoured dinner (and a cocktail!) and had a early night! 

🏔️ Day Three - Pen y Fan, Fog & Pawsome Summit Feels! 

Pen y Fan 🐑

On the final day, we made the climb to Pen y Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain. The views here are famously epic… although we knew going in that we probably wouldn’t see much of them! We’d been checking the forecast ahead of time and cloud cover was pretty much guaranteed for our whole trip, but honestly we didn’t mind. Sometimes it’s just about the experience of the climb itself! 

We took the 'Motorway' route, which is the most popular and easiest way to the summit of Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, starting from the Pont ar Daf car park. In a dream world we would’ve done a sunrise hike, but with the weather doing its moody mountain thing (and the idea of a dark pre-dawn trek with a tiny hairless dog who very much prefers blankets to blizzards), we opted for a slightly more civilised adventure instead!

Expect open moorland, heaps of fresh wind, and a lovely little sense of achievement when you reach the top! Even if the clouds decide to keep the famous views to themselves. The route itself is a classic Brecon experience.

Dogs are welcome on the trails here too, just be prepared for the terrain, sheep, and the famously changeable mountain weather!

📚 On the Way Home - Hay-on-Wye & The Warren

 Hay-on-Wye 📖

After conquering Pen y Fan (fog and all), we headed to Hay-on-Wye, the legendary “Town of Books”!

Hay has a whimsical energy. Bookshops tucked into old stone buildings, cosy cafes, and fun thrifty stores. Even if you’re not a huge reader, it’s just a lovely place to wander.

It’s very dog-friendly too, lots of shops & cafes were happy for well-behaved pups to pop in. We grabbed some lunch, had a slow wander, and let Chicken recover from her summit heroics!

From the town centre, you can walk down to:

🧺 The Warren

The Warren sits right on the River Wye and feels like a hidden little river beach. Grassy banks, shallow areas for paddling, and enough open space for dogs to have a little zoom.

Chicken absolutely loved it. There may or may not have been a tiny bodyboard moment.

It’s the perfect contrast after a mountain climb, calm, peaceful, and 'ahh thank god I can rest my legs' vibes!

 The Scenic Route Home... The Most Beautiful Road of the Trip! 🌄

Instead of heading straight back, we took what ended up being the prettiest drive of the entire weekend!

Hay-on-Wye → Gospel Pass → Capel-y-ffin → Llanthony Priory

📍 Gospel Pass

The highest road in Wales, and it feels like it. Open hills, dramatic valleys, winding single-track sections and sheep casually owning the place. It’s one of those roads where you keep saying, “Oooo look at that.”

We pulled over more than once just to take it in!

 &

📍Capel-y-ffin

Tiny, tucked-away and peaceful. It feels remote in the best way, all rolling green hills and quiet lanes.

📍 Llanthony Priory

A dramatic ruined Augustinian priory sitting right in the valley. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the main ruins, which we realised beforehand, but you can see plenty from the car park and surrounding area, my mum had an explore while Chicky and I took in the views from afar, we found it very much worth the stop.

📍 St Martin’s Church (Cwmyoy)

I can't lie, this was one of my most favorite things of the whole trip. This Church leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa (SERIOUSLY!) , thanks to centuries of land movement. Slightly wonky, very charming, and a brilliant quick roadside stop to explore!

📍 Grosmont Castle

We finished with a castle stop! Grosmont is one of the “Three Castles” of the area and is free to explore, but sadly it was getting close to being dark at this point, or we'd have done them all. Open green spaces, ruined stone walls, and loads of room for careful dog wandering!

💭 Final Thoughts

The Brecon Beacons are perfect for a dog-first trip, and you can fit lots of things in, in a s short visit.

You can go big (Pen y Fan, Four Waterfalls)
Or you can go slow (reservoir loops, scenic drives, long sniffs).

Because rainfall had been fairly light before our visit, the waterfalls weren’t at full roaring drama mode, but that made them calmer and much quieter and easier to enjoy without heavy spray or slippery chaos. If you want the waterfalls at their most powerful, aim for a period after lots of rain.

Would I go back?
In a heartbeat!

We did a whole lot in three days but I already have a list as long as Chicken’s legs for next time!

What I’d Recommend Before You Go 💡

🐾 Footwear: Sturdy trainers or even better waterproof walking boots, trails can be muddy, rocky and steep.

🐾 Maps: Don't risk getting lost! Download / screenshot maps before you take off. There isn't much (in some areas any) signal! I'd also recommend a app like Komoot or All Trails, as you can follow amazing and unique guides on or offline depending on your plan. National Trust website also has plenty of great routes!

 

🐾 Dog Essentials: Keep dogs on leads near water and livestock, bag up waste and take it home. Remember to bring water, coats etc for your bestie.

🐾 Timing: Start early for waterfall walks and Pen y Fan (parking fills up fast, avoids crowds).

🐾 Weather: Welsh weather changes fast!!  Layers and waterproofs are always your friend.

Thanks so much for reading! 

Brooke & Chicken
Poochie Keen
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