The hills are cooler and wetter than the coast. Snow is common on the tops in winter, and the waterfalls are at their most impressive after rain.
Season by season
Spring (March–May)
Lambs, fresh green valleys and wild garlic in the gorges. May is often dry.
Summer (June–August)
Long days and busy car parks. Brecon’s jazz festival and the Green Man music festival near Crickhowell take place in August.
Autumn (September–November)
Autumn colour in the gorges and the Abergavenny Food Festival in September. Dark evenings bring the stars back.
Winter (December–February)
Snow on Pen y Fan and short days. Waterfalls are full; paths are muddy and icy.
Month by month
| Month | Avg high / low | Wet days | Daylight | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7° / 1°C | ≈16 | ≈8.5 h | Quiet & cheap |
| February | 8° / 1°C | ≈13 | ≈10 h | Quiet & cheap |
| March | 10° / 2°C | ≈14 | ≈11.8 h | Good |
| April | 13° / 4°C | ≈12 | ≈13.7 h | Good |
| May | 16° / 6°C | ≈12 | ≈15.3 h | Best |
| June | 19° / 9°C | ≈11 | ≈16.2 h | Best |
| July | 21° / 11°C | ≈11 | ≈15.7 h | Peak season |
| August | 21° / 11°C | ≈12 | ≈14.3 h | Peak season |
| September | 18° / 9°C | ≈12 | ≈12.5 h | Best |
| October | 14° / 6°C | ≈14 | ≈10.7 h | Good |
| November | 10° / 3°C | ≈15 | ≈9 h | Quiet & cheap |
| December | 8° / 2°C | ≈16 | ≈8.1 h | Quiet & cheap |
Approximate long-term averages, rounded; daylight is the approximate time between sunrise and sunset mid-month. Wales is mild but wet, and the mountains are colder, windier and wetter than the coast: pack layers in every season.
Festivals & events
- August Brecon Jazz Festival and the Green Man festival in the Usk valley.
- September Abergavenny Food Festival.
- Late May–early June Hay Festival in nearby Hay-on-Wye.
Crowds & booking ahead
Pen y Fan is one of the busiest mountains in Britain on summer weekends. Go early, midweek, or take a quieter northern route.
