Sunrise Summit

Experience the mountains in a completely new way, and join us for a guided sunrise summit to witness dawn breaking over the Black Mountains. We'll be summiting Waun Fach whilst everyone else is tucked up in bed.
OVERVIEW
Dawn is something that the vast majority of us take for granted on a daily basis, but it’s a breathtaking spectacle when you do get the opportunity to witness it.
Following a hearty dinner and early night on the Saturday, our sunrise summit will set out in the early hours of Sunday morning to catch the sun as it appears over the stunning peaks of the Black Mountains. We will follow a gentle ridge walk to summit Waun Fach (811m), the highest point of the Black Mountains, also taking in Lord Hereford’s Knob and the stunning Grwyne Fawr reservoir.
Purposely coinciding with a full moon, we’ll be rewarded with amazing views as we walk beneath a ceiling of stars with the milky way spreading out above us.
Whilst everyone else is tucked up in bed, our hearts will be soaring as we summit Waun Fach as the sun breaks over the horizon, having met nothing but sheep and stars on our path towards the peak. And, having experienced nature completely anew - under the cover of darkness.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Saturday): You’ll be met by your host Belinda Kirk - explorer and Explorers Connect founder - from 6.00pm at a bunkhouse near Hay-on-Wye. Dinner will be served at 6.30pm, to give us time to get to know each other before we settle down for an early night ready for a very early start the following morning.
Day 2 (Sunday): With the added drama of getting ready and booting up in the dead of night, we’ll aim to set off at 3.30am. Our five hour circular route will take in Lord Hereford’s Knob, Waun Fach, and Grwyne Fawr reservoir, with a stop to watch the sun as it breaks over the horizon, heralding in a new day. We’ll head back to our lodge to refuel with a well-deserved, hearty Welsh breakfast.
There’s plenty to do in the area, so if you’d like to spend the day in the Black Mountains, your Mountain Leader will be able to give you plenty of ideas.
ACCOMMODATION
On a small hill farm in the Brecon Beacons National Park, our bunkhouse is surrounded by fantastic landscape, with views of the Black Mountains and the Wye Valley.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
This adventure is designed for anyone who feels confident walking for five hours straight with some breaks, and with limited visibility.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Friendly host 1x guided sunrise summit Experienced Mountain Leader 1x night accommodation 1x two-course dinner (Saturday night) 1x hearty, Welsh breakfast (Sunday morning) Camaraderie of a friendly group, who will support you through your midnight adventure N.B. You may wish to bring food and snacks with you to eat out on the hill. A flask of hot drink might also be nice if you have a thermos.

Day 1

You’ll be met by your friendly host at a bunkhouse near Hay-on-Wye, where we’ll enjoy dinner together as a group. From there, we’ll complete a five-hour circular hike taking in Lord Hereford’s Knob, Waun Fach, and Grwyne Fawr reservoir - all under the cover of darkness. We’ll aim to be back at the bunkhouse by 2 am.

Day 2

After a lovely, well-deserved lie-in, you’ll have a hearty Welsh breakfast to enjoy before 10 am. There’s plenty to do in the area, so if you’d like to spend the day in the Black Mountains, your Mountain Leader will be able to give you plenty of ideas.
 
Inclusions
Accommodation - Comfort
On a small hill farm in the Brecon Beacons National Park, our bunkhouse is surrounded by fantastic landscape with views of the Black Mountains and the Wye Valley.
 
What's Included
🍴 Food - 1x two-course dinner (Saturday night) 1x hearty, Welsh breakfast (Sunday morning)
📋 Other - Experienced Mountain Leader
 
What you'll need
🧤 Warm Clothing
☂️ Waterproofs
🍴 Food
🥤 Drink
📋 Other - You may wish to bring food and snacks with you to eat out on the hill. A flask of hot drink might also be nice if you have a thermos.