Yours to explore
A three hour walk from the Visitor Centre to Craig Goch following the line of the old Birmingham Corporation Railway.
Follow the Red Kite Waymarker along a linear path that’s mostly flat with gentle gradients. Tarmacked to Garreg Ddu (one mile). Suitable for all users including wheelchairs and pushchairs. Please take care when crossing or walking on the roads, particularly in busy times.
OS Explorer Map 200 starting from SN 92796 64631
Go down the drive and join the path on the left before the cattle grid. The path runs parallel to the road away from the Visitor Centre, before doubling back on itself at the T-junction. The path will take you toward the dam on a gentler gradient.
From the top of the dam, follow the trail for one mile to Garreg Ddu, making sure to close any gates behind you.
Follow the track along the edge of Garreg Ddu reservoir for nearly 3km/1.8 miles. From here you may wish to cross the viaduct for a closer look at Nantgwyllt Church. Otherwise continue across the road past the Foel Tower. The Foel Tower is the point at which water is extracted from the reservoirs before starting its 118 km journey to Birmingham by gravity.
Continue along Garreg Ddu Reservoir for 3km. Cross the road and continue up the gradual incline up through the trees to the top of Pen y Garreg Dam. The track now levels out and passes alongside Pen y Garreg Reservoir. About 1km along from Pen y Garreg Dam, you will pass through Devil's Gulch.
The final stretch of the Trail takes you to Craig Goch Dam. This is the end of the Elan Valley Trail and was the terminus of the railway.
A short riverside stroll to a great view of Pen y garreg Dam, this walk should take about thirty minutes and starts in Penbont Car Park.
• GO TO ROUTE •Mostly flat with just one steep section near Cwmdauddwr, this 1.5 hour walk from the Visitor Centre to the nearby town of Rhayader is a popular route.
• GO TO ROUTE •A forty minute walk to a stunning waterfall with amazing views of the largest dam in the Elan Valley.
• GO TO ROUTE •
