There\u2019s no easy way to get to the summit of this mountain, which rises more than 750m above sea level. You can approach it from the long, sprawling mass of Bryn and the boggy uplands of Waun Rydd, or from the west and the Central Peaks of Pen y Fan<\/a> and Cribyn<\/a>. My favourite way to reach the summit, however, is from the east and Talybont Reservoir. It\u2019s a steep\u00a0route to the top, but a quiet one, perfect for those seeking a little solitude in the hills.<\/p>\n 8.2km\/5 miles |\u00a03.5 hours | moderate\/hard<\/em><\/p>\n 1. Bridleway beginnings<\/strong><\/p>\n The small car park midway along the western shores of Talybont Reservoir makes for a picturesque start and end point to this five-mile loop walk.<\/p>\n Turn right out of the car park and walk north\u00a0for 100m to meet the bubbling waters of Nant Tarthwynni. Just beyond the river\u00a0a bridleway leads left through a gate. Shortly after it veers to the right.<\/p>\n 2. Tree tunnel<\/strong><\/p>\n Follow the way through a succession of fields to reach a house (Berthlwyd-fach) \u2013 continue past this, through a gate and turn left on to a stony trail.<\/p>\n The steep and\u00a0often muddy track is overhung with deciduous trees, full and green in the spring and summer and skeletal in the autumn and winter. It\u2019s a\u00a0real wildlife haven, particularly popular with small\u00a0birds.<\/p>\n The next section is a good test for the thighs,\u00a0as the path climbs 500m over two miles. Head out of the woodland and on to the\u00a0flanks of Tywn Du. Blankets of thick bracken wrap the slope, providing\u00a0good shelter for grazing sheep that roam the common land in the warmer months.<\/p>\n 3. Ponies in the heather<\/strong><\/p>\n The way flattens slightly as it rises on to the humpback ridge of Twyn Du. Pause for a moment and take in the views tot he east \u2013 Taylbont Reservoir, the Black Mountains and the Powys farmland beyond.<\/p>\n In summer, bilberries bushes grow in abundance,\u00a0their woody branches stripped bare by hungry livestock. Then a month or two on,\u00a0in late summer, the hills blush purple with blooming heather. Wild ponies graze\u00a0the shrub, often tame enough to observe from just a few metres.<\/p>\n Continue on the undulating path. Soon the real\u00a0incline begins \u2013 for a moment, it feels as though the ground is rising\u00a0exponentially as it\u00a0zigzag\u00a0up to an\u00a0impressive cairn at the summit of Carn Pica.<\/p>\n 4. Windy ridge<\/strong><\/p>\n On a summer\u2019s day, it\u2019s the perfect lunch\u00a0spot, but in winter the wind can be fierce \u2013 in these conditions it\u2019s best to keep moving.<\/p>\n Make your way south from the cairn along the ridge. The land falls precipitously into the cwm below. It\u2019s a superb vantage point for watching shepherds and their flocks\u00a0as they ebb and flow across the land.<\/p>\n After half a mile, veer left to stick\u00a0to the\u00a0ridge, now pinched on\u00a0either side.<\/p>\n 5. Landmark navigation<\/strong><\/p>\n Allt Lwyd, though still an impressive peak,\u00a0appears modest in comparison to the Beacons behind you. The path braids somewhat\u00a0hear, each channel cut\u00a0deep\u00a0into the peat, scarring the slopes with tar-black lines. Set your\u00a0compass to\u00a0north-west, using a corner of conifer forest for guidance.<\/p>\n 6. Mud to finish<\/strong><\/p>\n On a blustery day, the forest will provide a little shelter. Stick to its outer edge for a few hundred metres before branching left along a faint path. Walk steeply downhill to the corner of the field and a gate. It\u2019s often very muddy here. Continue down the grassy track to the car park.<\/p>\n Carn Pica walking route and map<\/a><\/p>\n Comfortable beds and good food can be found and nearby\u00a0YHA Brecon Beacons Danywenallt<\/a> on the northern shores of Talybont Reservoir.<\/p>\n![\""Carn\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/geograph-1106185-by-Graham-Horn-0b5b69a.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Carn\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Carn Pica walk<\/h2>\n
![\""Talybont\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2017\/10\/IS7A1445-2-copy-f02cd60.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Talybont\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\""Look\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/08\/Brecon-Beacons-pony-1c2f13f.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Brecon\\""){kind=tracking}
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Carn Pica map<\/h3>\n
![\""Carn\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2017\/10\/Screenshot-2019-02-01-at-14.56.06-512e0dd.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C380"\" "\\"\"Carn\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><\/a><\/p>\nMore information<\/h3>\n