Conquering the Brecon Beacons Horseshoe – Peaks 12–15 of the 25 Peaks in 2025

The morning of 5th September began in the most brutal fashion – the shriek of my alarm clock at 03:30. In the pitch dark of a Worcester morning, I rose knowing today would be a defining chapter in the 25 Peaks in 2025 challenge. Today, I wouldn’t be climbing alone. My good friend Matt was joining me – and this wasn’t just another hike for him. Ten months ago, Matt underwent a full hip replacement. Most people would still be tentatively regaining mobility. But Matt had set himself a different goal: to stand alongside me on the Pen y Fan Horseshoe, tackling four peaks of the Brecon Beacons in one relentless loop.

This was no ordinary walk. This was Fan y Big, Cribyn, Pen y Fan, and Corn Du – a 10-mile circuit across exposed ridges, through swirling cloud, and up the punishing ascent of Jacob’s Ladder.

By 04:30 we were on the road, headlights piercing the night as we made our way south. By 06:30, the Brecon Beacons loomed before us, shrouded in thick, shifting cloud and whipped by winds gusting up to 40mph. Boots laced, packs shouldered and notifying my social media channel, we stepped onto the ancient Roman Road, a reminder that travellers and soldiers have crossed these ridges for nearly 2,000 years.

Fan y Big – Peak 12

The climb to Fan y Big began gently enough, sheep grazing in the mist, but as we rose higher the winds bit harder. I warned Matt to stay clear of the sheer drops – safety is non-negotiable in conditions like this. Fan y Big’s summit, once notorious for its dramatic “Diving Board” rock (sadly collapsed in 2017), has long drawn walkers seeking both beauty and adrenaline. Although the rock is a lot shorter these days we reached it in good time, pausing briefly for photos and to update our socials before pressing on – the weather was unforgiving, and the real work lay ahead.

Cribyn – Peak 13

The route to Cribyn tested us further. Cloaked in thick cloud, the mountain revealed only fleeting shapes: the dark silhouettes of wild horses, a handful of fellow climbers vanishing like ghosts into the mist. Cribyn’s steep-sided pyramid has been described as one of the Beacons’ most striking peaks, and in clearer conditions its sharp ridges dominate the skyline. Today, we could see nothing but cloud – but our legs reminded us of every incline. At the summit, we refuelled quickly, knowing the infamous Jacob’s Ladder was next.

Jacob’s Ladder and Pen y Fan – Peak 14

Descending Cribyn in just 12 minutes, we arrived at the foot of Jacob’s Ladder – the legendary staircase of stone slabs that has broken many a hiker’s resolve. The wind howled, the cloud thickened, but Matt pressed on, step by step, never faltering. I followed close behind, watching in quiet admiration and nothing but utter respect for my friend.

When the false summit gave way to the final push, I realised we had reached the top of Pen y Fan in just 37 minutes – a blistering pace compared to my attempt last year. At 886m, Pen y Fan is the highest peak in southern Britain, once used by Bronze Age people as a sacred site. Today, it greeted us with no views, only a bone-chilling windchill of 3°C. We huddled briefly at the cairn, taking in fluids and calories before moving on we took more photos and updated social channels.

Corn Du – Peak 15

From Pen y Fan, the short but weary climb to Corn Du was our final ascent. At 873m, its flat summit plateau was once a stronghold of prehistoric communities, the remnants of burial cairns still lying beneath the turf. Emerging from the mist, Corn Du brought with it a sense of relief – but also the realisation that the hardest part still lay ahead: the long, exposed ridge walk back to the car.

The Clouds Break

For over an hour we trudged across the ridge, the wind tearing at our jackets, the cloud swallowing every view. And then, as if rewarding our endurance, the skies suddenly cleared. Matt stopped in his tracks, eyes wide, as the entire valley and the four peaks we had just conquered appeared in glorious sunlight. It was a moment of sheer magic – the kind of view you can’t plan, only earn.

Back to Base

After just under four hours of moving time and close to 10 miles covered, we arrived back at the car. Exhausted, battered by the wind, but elated. Today wasn’t just about ticking off Peaks 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the challenge. It was about proving something far greater.

Matt had taken on a challenge that most would consider impossible just months after major surgery. His determination and grit were every bit as inspiring as the mountains themselves. For me, sharing this adventure with a close friend – not just enduring the struggle but enjoying the company, the laughter, the quiet moments – made this one of the most memorable days of the challenge so far.

Now, with only 10 peaks left to complete, tomorrow the journey continues across my local stomping ground – the Malvern Hills. But for today, the Brecon Beacons gave us everything: history, hardship, and a memory that I shared with one of my closest friends will last a lifetime.