Craig Cerrig-gleisiad

Craig Cerrig-gleisiad stands on the edge of steep north-facing cliffs in the Fforest Fawr section of the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. It is a subsidiary summit of Fan Fawr and shares the Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve with its sister peak, Fan Frynych. The summit is marked by a simple pile of stones. To the south-west lies Fan Llia, another notable peak in the area. The mountain’s outstanding feature is its L-shaped glacial cwm facing northeast. This cwm formed through a complex history of glacial action and rock-slope failure, with part of the west wall collapsing after the last ice age. Some of the debris from this collapse stretches as far as the A470 road. The rocks exposed in the main crag are Senni Beds of Devonian Old Red Sandstone, topped with Brownstones. The ledges of the main crag to the south have long been a favoured nesting site for peregrine falcons. Visitors find a rugged landscape shaped by ancient ice and rock movements. The cliffs provide one of the few habitats for Arctic–alpine plants this far south in the British Isles. The summit offers views over the surrounding peaks and the expansive Brecon Beacons. The area’s geology tells a story of dramatic natural forces at work over thousands of years. Peregrine falcons can often be seen nesting on the ledges of the main crag. The contrast between the stark cliffs and the delicate plant life adds to the reserve’s unique character.