Cancer Research UK logo.
SearchDonate
  • Search
man and a woman with their arms around each other walking in the countryside.

Big Hike Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) 2026

Take on Big Hike Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), 6 June 2026

Get involvded_Philanthropy_Philanthropy events_Turn the tables_date_icon

Date

Saturday 6 June 2025

Location Icon

Start point

Talybont-on-Usk

icon-distance-route-path

Distances

Full marathon, half marathon and 10K

Choose your distance

Sign up to full marathon

Entry fee: £25 Fundraising target: £300 Start time: from 6.45am Age: 16+

Sign up to half marathon

Entry fee: £20 Fundraising target: £250 Start time: from 9:30am Age: 14+

Sign up to 10k

Entry fee: £20 Fundraising target: £200 Start time: from 11am Age: 12+

The Big Hike experience

A Big Hike participant in Cancer Research UK shirts walks on a grassy path, with other hikers following behind her.

Image by Patrick Harrison

About Big Hike Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)

Explore the beauty of Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park on this hiking adventure. Starting in Talybont-on-Usk, you'll walk along trails, towpaths and forests on a fully signposted route. Find more details about the route in the Event details below.

How long will it take?

Depending on your pace, we estimate the routes will take:

  • 10k (6 miles): 1.5 - 3 hours

  • Half marathon: 3.5 - 6 hours

  • Full marathon: 7 - 12 hours

A Big Hike participant couple admiring the countryside view.

Image by Patrick Harrison

What’s included in your entry fee

icon-tshirt

Cancer Research UK t-shirt and medal

icon-collection-bucket

Fundraising support

Icon trainers pair navy

Training support

icon-distance-route-path

Fully signposted route

icon-two-people-man-woman

Toilets and support points

icon-glass-of-soft-drink

Water refill point, meals and snacks

Meet Catherine

Catherine with medal.

When I read about Big Hike I knew this was the perfect challenge. The day was so poignant and yet brilliant too. Just to be out in breath-taking countryside surrounded by everyone who loved Adrian and June was incredible.

How your support makes a difference

Nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime

. Every pound you raise helps us say yes to more chances of diagnosis, preventing and providing kinder treatments to those living with cancer.

hand holding a knife.

£150

Could fund a day of the clinical trial of the iKnife for breast cancer removal surgery.

nurse and patient.

£200

Could fund our team of cancer nurses for an hour, offering confidential support.

An illustration of a researcher sat at a desk looking into a microscope.

£500

Could fund a lab technician for a week, bringing us closer to the next research breakthrough.

We're with you every big step of the way

Whether you're new to hiking or a regular walker, we'll support you from fundraising to the finish line.

Event details

Once you sign up for your Big Hike event, you'll receive a welcome pack with all the need-to-know details to help you feel fully prepared for the day.

Meeting point

The start and finish point is via Station Road. Access to the main event site and parking is NOT through the farm/campsite in the village. The exact location you need for arrival is eminent.purses.carriage. Please download the what3words app, use these words and click ‘navigate’ to take you there. At this turning on Station Road, you will see Cancer Research UK flags.

Please head to the event site 45 minutes before your start time; we'll email you a reminder of your time as soon as you've signed up.

About the routes

All routes are fully signposted and our marshals and volunteers will be there to assist you along the way.

Full marathon route

This full marathon hike takes you along the Taff Trail and the Usk Valley Walk. You'll head through the Taf Fechan Forest, past waterfalls and surrounded by mountains. The hike will follow a circular, anti-clockwise route climbing ≈ 2,500 ft. It has three support points where you'll find hot drinks, a selection of snacks and fruit, water, medics, ample bench seating, music and toilets.

Maps: See the route map* and elevation map(PNG, 120 KB).

Half marathon route

This half marathon hike takes you along the remarkable Taff Trail, Talybont Forest and its Reservoir before climbing Tor Y Foel for stunning views. The hike will follow a circular, anti-clockwise route climbing ≈ 1,500 ft. It has one support point where you'll find hot drinks, a selection of snacks and fruit, water, medics, ample bench seating, music and toilets.

Maps: See the route map* and elevation map(PNG, 126 KB).

10k (6 mile) route

This 10k hike takes you along the Taff Trail and through the beautiful village of Pencelli and Talybont Forest with stunning views to the east. The hike will follow a circular, anti-clockwise route climbing ≈ 750 ft. There will be a water refill station along the route.

Maps: See the route map* and elevation map.

*Please note that the routes are subject to change.

Travel information

By car:

Free parking is available for all Big Hike participants at the event site. Please download the what3words app and use the words eminent.purses.carriage to direct you there. You'll be able to park your car at the start venue for the duration of your Big Hike.

Please note access to parking and start area is NOT through the farm/campsite in the village. Access is via Station Road

By train:

The closest mainline railway station to the start/finish venue is Abergavenny. Please visit the National Rail website for full timetables.

By bus:

Several bus lines stop at Talybont Farm. Visit Traws Cymru for bus timetables.

Facilities

Toilets

Toilet facilities will be available at the start and finish areas and at support points along the route.

Refreshments

Water refill points, hot drinks and snacks will be provided at the start area and at support points along the route.

Full marathon hikers will receive lunch at the second support point, followed by a hot meal at the finish area. Half marathon and 10k participants will receive a hot meal at the finish area.

Dietary requirements will be catered for on the day. We'll send you an email around one month before your event to ask for your dietary requirements - please complete this as soon as possible.

Accessibility

The start/finish venue is wheelchair-friendly, but the course is not. If you're taking part in the Big Hike and wish to bring a carer with you, please ask your carer to call 0300 123 2424 and we can talk them through the process.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed, except for service dogs.

Parking

Free parking is available for all Big Hike participants at the start/finish venue.

Bag drop

No bag drop is available.

Still have questions?

Visit our FAQ page

two woman walking.

Other Big Hike locations

Interested in hiking but can't make this location or date? Whether you're looking for coastal views or rolling hills, we have a Big Hike for you.  Discover our seven hikes taking place across the UK so you can find your perfect adventure.

A Big Hike volunteer giving a medal to a participant at the end of their hike.

Volunteer at Big Hike

From guiding our hikers on the route, to helping out at support points, there are lots of opportunities to get involved, while enjoying breathtaking views.

References

  1. Arrow return up icon