Yours to explore
A three hour circular walk, one of Elan Valley’s most popular, takes visitors around the Garreg Ddu loop through spectacular woods and fields.
Follow the orange arrows along a trail with no significant climbs but some parts may be wet underfoot. The path through the wood is narrow in places with exposed tree roots. Sturdy footwear recommended.
OS Explorer Map 200 starting from SN915673
From Penbont Car Park, cross the road and follow the orange arrows onto a small gravel path through the trees. Join the pavement and continue along the road up to the wide gate.
Go through the gate at the hairpin bend, leading onto a rough track.
Follow the track for approximately 1km past Tynllidiart Farmhouse and continue through a few farm gates. Follow the track along the edge of the field, passing through the ford and through another farm gate.
Follow the waymarkers along the edge of the fields for 300 metres to a gate that leads to a boardwalk across a small stream and a bog. Follow the path downhill until you reach another small gate into the woodland.
Follow the waymarkers along the woodland path for 1km until you reach a small gate into a field.
Cross the field and go through the small gate on the other side, back into the woods.
Follow the path through the remains of Cwm Elan House Garden Walls – where the poet Shelley stayed in 1811/12.
Continue downhill and cross the bridge over Nant Methan. Follow the path up the other side and continue along the woodland path for approximately 600 metres.
Once you reach another small gate, follow the path uphill until you reach a large track – be aware of farm vehicles.
Turn left and follow the track downhill. Continue for 500 metres until you reach a pair of bridges. Turn left down the steps onto the footbridge.
Cross the bridge and follow the track back towards Garreg Ddu Viaduct.
Walk across the viaduct and turn left onto the Elan Valley Trail. This will take you back along the opposite bank of the reservoir. Follow the trail for nearly 3km until the trail goes through a gate and crosses the road.
Head through the gate and keep left, following the road for 800 metres. Cross the humpbacked bridge below Pen y Garreg Dam to return to Penbont on your right.
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 quite challenging one hour walk which loops around Craig Cwplau with views of the Cambrian wilderness and Claerwen Dam.
• GO TO ROUTE •A circular trail which takes about 90 minutes to complete and includes ancient woodland and views of Caban Coch.
• GO TO ROUTE •
