Summer has arrived, bringing warmer weather, longer days and more opportunities to get out and explore the great outdoors. 

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park with its glacial landscapes, rich heritage and picturesque waterways is a popular location for visitors throughout the year, offering a range of activities and attractions for all ages. Bannau Brycheiniog is a place of outstanding natural beauty, it is also a working landscape, where communities live and work alongside productive farmland, challenging terrain and breathtaking landscapes of ecological significance. 

During the summer months visitor numbers in Bannau Brycheiniog rise dramatically, increasing the impact on the area and putting greater pressure on local communities and resources. By owning your impact, being prepared and informed before you set off, you can help to protect this special place while enjoying a safe, accessible and memorable visit.  

Here are our tips and advice for safety in Bannau Brycheiniog this summer: 

Walk Essentials  

1. Sturdy boots 
   Boots provide comfort and support for your ankles on difficult terrain, grip and stability on uneven ground and protection against muddy or wet ground. Boots aren’t just for the winter months or challenging ground, they are advantageous all year round on any surface. 
2. Emergency kit 

Including a first aid kit, foil blanket, sun cream, whistle, compass and map.  

3. Plenty of drinks and snacks 
4. Waterproof and/or extra layer of clothing  
   Conditions can change quickly, particularly at altitude. 
5. Plan ahead and be prepared 

Research the route you will be walking – find out about the terrain, distance and ability level. 

Check travel and parking arrangements in advance. Be aware that car parks fill up quickly so considering an alternative is worthwhile.  

Know what you would do in an emergency. 

6. Leave no trace 

Take all your litter and waste with you, including bio-degradable items. Did you know a banana peel can take two years to decompose? Imagine the mess if everyone who visited Bannau Brycheiniog left their rubbish… 

7. Follow visitor guidance/signage and stick to marked footpaths 

Please note that, unlike in Scotland, wild camping is not permitted in Wales without the permission of the landowner. This applies equally to overnight stays in campervans, motorhomes and other vehicles parked in lay-bys, car parks or roadside locations unless specifically authorised.  Many lay-bys and visitor parking areas are subject to restrictions and are not suitable for overnight occupation. 

Water Safety  

Despite how calm and picturesque water might look on the surface, it is full of hidden dangers. Rivers, waterfalls, reservoirs and ponds are all dangerous in their own way. Respecting and not underestimating the power of water is essential whatever activity you are undertaking.  Be realistic about your own swimming ability and experience and carefully consider the abilities and confidence of any children or young people in your care.  Never allow children to enter or play near water unsupervised. 

• Cold water 

Water below 15°C is defined as cold and can impact your ability to move and breathe; even on hot days, water within the UK seldom reaches over 12C, meaning the risk of cold-water shock is prevalent throughout the year.  

Bannau Brycheiniog is home to a large network of caves, water in these systems is even colder, as it flows deep underground for extensive periods before it feeds into rivers. 

Cold water shock happens in seconds; it is often immediate and could lead to drowning if you are unprepared. Don’t jump in, water should be entered slowly giving the body time to acclimatise to cold temperatures. 

• Currents 

Rivers and waterfalls can create forceful currents, eddies and very deep turbulent pools. These aren’t always visible from the surface. 

• Hidden dangers 
  Rivers are constantly moving and changing systems. Ledges, holes and debris could all be sitting under the surface out of sight. 
• Read signage and follow visitor guidance. 

If you find yourself struggling in the water, remember ‘Float To Live’: 

• Tilt your head back with ears submerged. 
• Relax, breathe normally. 
• Move your hands to help you float. 
• Spread your arms and legs out. 
• Once your breathing is controlled, call for help or swim to safety. 

Wildfires 

During summer months, grasslands, forests and hillsides become extremely dry, if a fire is started then it will spread rapidly, destroying everything in its path. A wildfire can start in seconds but take hours, days or even weeks to put out. Fighting wildfires puts a huge strain on resources for local fire and emergency services and the impact on the ecosystems, species and habitats is devastating, taking years to recover. 

How you can help prevent wildfires: 

1. Avoid lighting fires. 
2. Choose a picnic over a barbecue. 

Disposable barbecues can damage ground vegetation or picnic tables/benches, triggering larger fires. 

3. Ensure cigarettes and smoking materials are fully extinguished before disposal. 
4. Take all your litter home. 
   Glass left on the ground can magnify the direct sunlight and cause a fire. 
5. If you see a wildfire, get to a safe position and call 999. 

Don’t assume that someone else has already notified the emergency services. 

Follow the Countryside Code 

Respect everyone  

• Be considerate to those living in, working in and enjoying the countryside. 
• Leave gates and property as you find them. 
• Do not block access to gateways or driveways, field entrances or access routes when parking. Avoid parking on roadside verges unless specifically permitted. Please park considerately and think about the needs of those who live and work in the area – larger vehicles need to be able to use access routes, including tractors, farm machinery, emergency vehicles and service vehicles. 
• Be nice, say hello, share the space. 
• Follow local signs and keep to marked paths unless wider access is available. 

Protect the environment  

• Take your litter home – leave no trace of your visit. 
• Do not light fires and only have BBQs where signs say you can. 
• Always keep dogs under control and in sight. 
• Dog poo – bag it and bin it in any public waste bin or take it home. 
• Care for nature – do not cause damage or disturbance. 

Enjoy the outdoors  

• Check your route and local conditions. 
• Plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do. 
• Enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory. 

“Bannau Brycheiniog is a protected and nationally important landscape, a special place for the people who live, work and farm here, and for the many visitors we welcome each year. As visitor numbers rise during the summer months, we ask everyone to take a few minutes to plan ahead, check the conditions, bring the right equipment and follow local guidance. Parking responsibly, following signage and designated routes, taking litter home and making sensible decisions based on the weather, terrain and your own abilities can make all the difference. These simple actions help protect the landscape and wildlife, support local communities and ensure everyone can enjoy a safe and positive visit.  By taking responsibility for our actions and the impact we have, we can help keep Bannau Brycheiniog National Park special for everyone, now and for generations to come.” 
Kevin Eadon-Davies, Head of Estates and Countryside Management