The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team brings the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre with their pop-up planetarium.
Yours to explore
This circular route from the Visitor Centre takes you to some of the best views on the estate, includes our downhill flow trails and takes two hours to complete.
This ranger favourite expands on the Around Caban trail to follow Claerwen sunken byway to the largest dam before rising over the hills. Enjoy the downhill flow trails by Nantgwyllt and return to the Visitor Centre via the Elan Valley Trail.
Starting from Rhayader, this easy circular trail of 9km rolls through scenic Mid Wales lanes and has a downhill finish.
• GO TO ROUTE •A 29km route that leads you through parts of the Wye valley in addition to the Elan valley. Starts in Rhayader.
• GO TO ROUTE •This 32km route takes three to four hours to complete and includes the ancient site of its title as well as open hills and four reservoirs.
• GO TO ROUTE •This ranger favourite expands on the Around Caban trail to follow Claerwen sunken byway to the largest dam before rising over the hills. Enjoy the downhill flow trails by Nantgwyllt and return to the Visitor Centre via the Elan Valley Trail.
From the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, ride North-East to the carpark exit. Pass the cattlegrid at the end of the car park, then turn right across the bridge. As you cross the bridge, follow the road round to the left and through Elan Village.
After you ride through the village, you will cross another Cattlegrid and head uphill into the woods. Shortly after, turn sharp right at the junction and continue uphill.
Once you have climbed to the top of the hill, take the right turning between the stone walls, around through the gateway. Continue following the tarmac road all the way to the top of the steep hill.
Now that you have climbed what is known locally as "Puke Hill", you should reach another gate adjacent to a small woodland. Head through the gate onto the common and up the stone track straight ahead.
Keep left at the small, wooded area, make sure not to go down the valley to the right (it's a long walk back up). Follow the bridleway through a couple of fords and up the next small hill, through another gate.
As you reach the top of Y Gro, you should be welcomed with fantastic views looking up the Claerwen valley, overlooking Dol y Mynach Reservoir and Dam. Follow the bridleway down the hill through the fields until you reach Llanerch y Cawr farm.
After you pass the farm buildings, take the sharp left turn up the bank, and follow the tarmac road to Rhiwnant farm.
In the farmyard, follow the byway to the right, past the farm buildings. Follow the Claerwen "sunken road" byway all the way to the base of Claerwen Dam.
You have two options to cross Afon Arban river here. Continue straight through the ford to the other side for a challenge or keep left and use the bridge if you want to keep your feet dry!
As you pass the Claerwen toilets, continue to follow the public road away from the dam, past the junction until you reach a row of trees.
Just before the trees, turn left up the steep path and follow the bridleway up and around the farmland. Cross the stream and head up to the stone track. Follow the stone track all the way to the top of the hill.
Passing the radio tower on your right, continue straight ahead off the stone track, down the hill until you reach a gate into the forestry. Continue until you reach the crossroad, turn left here.
At the brow of the hill, to your right are the Elan Valley's first Mountain Bike specific trails. Follow the Red or Blue Mountain Bike way-markers to the bottom of the trails. Follow the waymarkers back to the top of the hill for another go or turn right through the wooden gate to continue.
Cross Garreg Ddu viaduct, then keep right and go through the gate to join the Elan Valley Trail back towards the Visitor Centre. Follow the trail all the way past Caban Coch Dam.
As you descend the trail past Caban Coch, follow the track to the end of the fence. Turn right down the waymarked grassy path for a final section of downhill back to the Visitor Centre.
FINISH
The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team brings the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre with their pop-up planetarium.
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