New Years Hiking & Party - Brecon Beacons Mountains in a 5 star hostel barn

For this New Year's holiday we have something really special - we're visiting the Brecon Beacons Mountains for our first New Years here, this trip is a one off - a change from our usual Gower and Isle of Wight destinations

We visit both the most popular and arguably the most undiscovered walk in this National Park.

Our guide Graham knows his area very well having spent 4 years living close by and he's done the main hike on this trip over 32 times.
We’ll spend the first day hiking over the mountains that surround the Neuadd reservoir with views to the sea and across the Seven Estuary. Our second day is saved for the beautiful canal and Llangattock Escarpment set behind our hostel, on our third day we visit Sugar Loaf Mountain. We'll also have dinner in the gorgeous setting of our remote converted stone barn - the only 5 star rated hostel in the UK with ensuite rooms.

A perfect setting for a New Years trip and party as well as time to spend with like minded people. We have a party at the hostel with speakers and disco lights and we will see in the New Year in our gorgeous barn conversion high in the mountains and enjoy a bonfire outside :-D

HIGHLIGHTS

• Party to see in the New Years in the mountains with a bonfire
• 3 gorgeous and contrasting hikes high in the Brecon Beacons National Park
• Stay in a lovely converted stone barn eco hostel - awarded the Greenest hostel in the UK status in 2013
• A fully catered trip - you can leave your purse/wallet at home
• A closer trip than usual - only about 3 hours driving from London
• Hike the iconic Brecons Horseshoe
• Enjoy gorgeous scenery passing along the Llangattock Escarpment
• Smaller trip than usual, 30 attendees

WEEKEND DESCRIPTION

The Horseshoe walk is the most popular in the Brecon Beacons and it's easy to see why with staggering views across South Wales to the sea, we also summit 3 mountain peaks. Having hiked the entire National Park extensively, it's the guide's personal favourite. It's fairly tough but offers breathtaking views over the flat land to the North and back into the Brecon Beacons mountain range and you can even see the sea and Gower Peninsula.

We are staying in one of the only 5 star hostels in the UK - a converted stone barn remote in the Brecon Beacons. With an ultra low carbon footprint, this eco hostel has been awarded the Greenest hostel in the UK status in 2013. To fully enjoy our rural mountainous setting and so that everyone can get to know each other, we will be eating at the hostel each evening.

On the second day we hike from the hostel along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal and then up to the escarpment of Llangattock with far reaching views. For convenience we hike straight from the hostel with no driving and finish mid afternoon so we have time to relax and spruce up before our big New Years celebrations tonight.

On the third day we do a shorter hike at the famous Sugar Loaf mountain which we will summit to celebrate New Years day and see in the year.

ITINERARY

Monday

Head over to the hostel which we have hired exclusively for our group. You are welcome to arrive any time from 7pm onwards when the trip starts

Tuesday

Hike: The Brecon Horseshoe
Distance: 9 miles (14km)
Grading: Challenging, one steep climb at the start, a good level of fitness required (we are taking in 3 mountain peaks)
Ascent: 600m
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours

The walk takes in the highest mountain in South Wales - Pen Y Fan (886m) as well as the mountain peaks of Corn Du and Cribyn. It’s a dramatic, raw and rugged landscape dotted with occasional reservoirs and set above valleys and rivers, made even more exhilarating by the ridge top walks and far stretching views.

This is a tough hike and only suitable for people with a good level of fitness and experience of mountain hikes. You are welcome to enjoy the hostel and skip today's hike if you like.

After the hike we return to our barn hostel for a basic dinner - pizzas and light snacks.

Wednesday

Hike: The Great Escarpment & the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
Distance: Approx 7 miles (11km)
Grading: Intermediate, one main hill to climb
Ascent: 330m
Hiking time: 3.5 to 4.5 hours

Today we have a delightful hike from the hostel, taking us up to the escarpment of Llangattock with far reaching views. For convenience we hike straight from the hostel with no driving and finish mid afternoon so we get back in time to relax and get ready for our dinner and party tonight.

We will have a 3 course dinner followed by a disco where we'll party well into the night

Thursday

Hike: Sugar Loaf Mountain
Distance: Approx 5 miles (7km)
Grading: Beginner/Intermediate, one main hill to climb
Ascent: 350m
Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours

Today to see in the New Year we will summit Sugar Loaf Mountain, at 596m it's a good height and being an isolated peak we get a superb panoramic view from the summit. Being on the corner of the Brecon Beacons you also get a great view into the mountain range as well as a superb view beyond it and down towards the sea. There is quite a bit of ascent, but this hike is short and also a later start this morning after our partying.

COST & PAYMENT

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT £268
£314 but if you are one of the first 20 people to book, you will get an early booking price of £268. Click “Attend” to pay the £30 deposit by PayPal. The remainder is due by bank transfer before Sunday 26th October, we’ll email payment details 1 week before.

Trip payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. When the trip is sold out fully paid spaces can be advertised to the same gender, for details: FAQ

TRANSPORT, ACCOMMODATION AND START TIME

The trip starts at the venue and you will need transport to the hikes. If you would like to drive or request a lift share: Lift share discussion

The accommodation address is at the top of this page. Arrival is from 7pm onwards only - there is no access before 7pm which is when the trip begins.

FOOD

Breakfast and packed lunches are included and will be provided for all 3 days. Two dinners are also included. A basic dinner of pizza and light snacks and then a more lavish 3 course dinner for New Years eve. You will need money for drinks for the trip.

Breakfast is healthy and nutritious - typically cereal, porridge with fresh fruit, berries, nuts and seeds, fresh fruit salad, free range eggs, yogurt, toast and coffees, teas etc.

For lunch we provide fruit, crisps, cereal bars and a range of options to make your own sandwiches typically tomatoes, cucumber, houmous, peanut butter, honey, jam, ham, cheese and salami.

After the hikes we enjoy cheese and biscuits one night and the other night Cream Teas - an English delicacy consisting of scones, clotted cream and jam, a tasty treat!

Meals have vegetarian options. To find out if the food being provided meets your intolerance/allergies/preferences/likes/dislikes etc, please email us. You are welcome to bring your own favourite items to meet specific requirements and there is a fridge and kitchen you can use.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

• 3 nights in hostel accommodation (6 bedded single gender ensuite rooms)
• Breakfast on all three hiking days
• Packed lunches on all three hiking days
• Dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday night
• Hikes by trained guides
• Compliance with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations including Financial protection

THE PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Transport to, from and during the trip
• Dinner on the arrival night, the trip starts from 7pm, people usually eat en route

SAFETY - Your guide is a trained hike leader. Outdoor activities involve a risk of personal injury. Please bring suitable hiking footwear and hiking clothes such as warm clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers - CLOTHING TIPS

Instagram 📸
UK weekend trips 👣
Calendar - All trips 📖
Facebook page & Photos group

TERMS AND CONDITIONS - By signing up or attending you agree to these

© Outdooraholics Hiking UK Ltd 2025 E & OE