I Took on the Beacons Way in a Heatwave… Solo Hiking & Wild Camping | Part 1

I’d wanted to hike the Beacons Way for a long time. But within the first few miles, I realised this wasn’t going to be a straightforward long-distance trail. Limited waymarking. Remote Welsh mountains. Steep climbs. A heavy backpack. And this was only Day 1. Join me for Part 1 of my Beacons Way backpacking adventure, as I leave Abergavenny and begin the journey towards Blaen-yr-henbant, hiking and wild camping through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). 🥾 THE BEACONS WAY BEGINS The Beacons Way had intrigued me for a long time. Unlike some of Britain’s more established National Trails, this route has a much wilder character, crossing high hills, deep valleys, open moorland and remote sections of the National Park. With everything I needed carried in my backpack, I set off from Abergavenny excited to finally experience it for myself. It didn’t take long to realise this trail was going to test me. ⛰️ INTO THE BRECON BEACONS As I left Abergavenny behind, the landscape began to open up. Rolling hills gave way to increasingly rugged terrain, with steep climbs providing spectacular views across the surrounding Welsh countryside. But those views had to be earned. With a fully loaded backpack, every climb felt harder. Every descent was followed by another ascent. And the further I travelled, the more remote the route became. This was exactly what I’d come looking for. 🧭 WHERE’S THE TRAIL? One thing quickly became obvious about the Beacons Way: navigation matters. Waymarking can be limited, particularly across open hill and moorland, and there were sections where the route wasn’t immediately obvious. Maps, GPS and navigation skills became an important part of the journey. Rather than simply following signs from one destination to another, I had to pay attention to the landscape and constantly make sure I was still heading in the right direction. It made the route more challenging. But it also made it feel like a genuine adventure. 🎒 OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Perhaps the thing I enjoyed most was how quickly the Beacons Way seemed to leave the busier trails behind. There were stretches where it felt like I had the landscape almost entirely to myself. No crowds. No obvious trail. Just a backpack, the mountains and a long way still to walk. This is what long-distance backpacking is all about for me. Exploring somewhere new. Testing yourself. And discovering what lies beyond the next ridge. 🏕️ ABERGAVENNY TO BLAEN-YR-HENBANT Eventually, the first stage of my Beacons Way journey takes me towards Blaen-yr-henbant. The legs were already beginning to understand what I’d signed up for. And this was only the beginning. There were plenty more miles, mountains and wild camps still ahead. Welcome to the Beacons Way. 🏔️ PART 1 📍 Abergavenny → Blaen-yr-henbant 🥾 Beacons Way 🏔️ Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog 🎒 Solo backpacking ⛺ Wild camping 🧭 Remote navigation ⛰️ Mountain hiking 🌄 Welsh mountain scenery 🥾 Long-distance hiking If you’re planning to hike the Beacons Way, or you enjoy backpacking, wild camping and long-distance hiking in Wales, I hope this series gives you a taste of what this fantastic route has to offer. 👍 Like the video if you’d take on the Beacons Way. 💬 Have you hiked this route – or is it on your list? 🔔 Subscribe to Pack & Boots and follow the rest of my journey through the Brecon Beacons. #BeaconsWay #BreconBeacons #BannauBrycheiniog #WildCamping #Backpacking #HikingWales #LongDistanceHiking #SoloHiking