Brecon Beacons re-opening

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has just “lifted the remaining access area and rights of way closures in the Brecon Beacons National Park” – the Brecon Beacons are now open, with the following message from the Authority:

“We are looking forward to providing a warm Welsh welcome to the Brecon Beacons National Park, however we would like to ask visitors to follow the First Minster of Wales’ request to visit Wales safely.  “We ask that you plan ahead as although footpaths and carparks are open many associated facilities are not. Please remember that if it feels too crowded it is too crowded and have a ‘plan B’ ready for your visit. The First Minister of Wales has in particular asked that you ‘Be kind to local residents and to fellow visitors by parking considerately, leaving nothing behind and following the recently revised countryside code.’ Chief Executive of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Julian Atkins said ‘We know how much everyone has missed the Brecon Beacons and enjoying our National Park. With our communities we look forward to welcoming you as you visit Wales safely. Please respect people, protect the natural environment and enjoy the National Park safely’.”

Natural Resources Wales has also confirmed that “from 6 July most of the car parks and trails in our woodlands and nature reserves will be open”, including their land in Waterfall Country, Gwaun Hepste and Dinas Rock car parks and Ogof Ffynnon Ddu nature reserve. However, at the time of writing NRW says that Craig Cerrig Gleisiad a Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve remains closed; and “our visitor centre buildings, cafés and play areas remain closed for now, and there are temporary toilets at some sites. We’re following Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance and we will re-open these facilities when we can do so safely.” Full details at https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/visiting-our-sites-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/.

Although this does mean that Dinas Rock and Sychryd / Mellte Gorges are now open for public use, the restrictions on group gatherings and rules on social distancing mean that we are not expecting group gorge-walking or climbing activities to re-commence immediately there on any scale. Providers should continue to follow advice from Welsh Government and the Outdoor Alliance Wales, working for the time-being only with single-household groups or professional clients, avoiding any activity where physical contact with clients may be expected (e.g. ‘spotting’), and adopting strict social distancing measures and hygiene precautions, especially with any shared equipment.

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