Brecon Beacons National Park and encompassing four main regions – the Black Mountain in the west, reaching 802 metres (2631 feet) at Fan Brycheiniog, and the Brecon Beacons in the centre, including the highest summit in the park and in South Wales at Pen y Fan 886 metres (2,907 feet) and the confusingly named Black Mountains in the east, where the highest point is Waun Fach 811 metres (2,661 feet). The western half gained European and global status in 2005 as Geopark. This includes the Black Mountain, the historic extent of Fforest Fawr, and much of the Brecon Beacons and surrounding lowlands. The entire
Pen-y-Gwryd was developing in North Wales. In May 1898 "The Climbers Club" originated at Pen-y-Gwryd, as it is recorded in its first journal "...its natural birth at Pen-y-Gwryd" and "...its congenial atmosphere... ("The Climbers Club") first struck its roots". The "Climbers Club" is now based at "Helyg" on the A5 between Capel Curig and Ogwen Cottage. In 1870 the "Society of Welsh Rabbits" (c.1865) was founded with the objective of exploring Snowdonia in winter (and as close to Christmas as possible). Ann Owen said in 1895 that the society had written an article "praising Pen-y-Gwryd as an excellent resort at Christmas".