Yours to explore
Enjoy great views of Caban Coch Dam and Reservoir and marvel at the iconic beauty of Garreg Ddu Viaduct on this two hour walk to the south of the Visitor Centre.
Follow the green arrows along trails that include steep climbs, steps and grassy paths.
OS Explorer Map 200 starting from SN927646
From the Visitor Centre walk towards Caban Coch Dam. Just before the dam, turn left through the wooden gate and over the bridge below the dam. Depending on the amount of water in the reservoir, it may be rather wet here if water is cascading down the dam wall.
Having crossed the bridge, take the steep path leading up towards the top of the dam. Be sure to drink in the amazing views over the expanse of water and up the valley.
Turn right at the top and follow the rocky path beside the reservoir for about 300m before taking the steps up the bank. Follow the track along through the woods overlooking the reservoir as it bends inland.
Follow the track along the edge of the woods overlooking the reservoir. To your right are the remains of Nant y Gro Dam which was used to test explosives used by the RAF 617 Squadron 'Dam Busters' in World War II. Follow the steep grassy track up the hill to the top.
The path turns uphill alongside a plantation of conifers. This is a fairly steep section of about 300 yards so take your time and pause for breath if you need to!
At the top end of the plantation, the path continues up the hill through the bracken. Stop and take a moment to look behind you to the north west for views across Caban Coch Reservoir to Garreg Ddu viaduct, Nant Gwyllt church, Henfron Farm, the wind and solar powered radio relay station on Llanerchi Hill and the moorland beyond.
Follow the waymarkers past a group of conifer trees and the ruins of Ty’n-y-Pant and continue along the grassy track up the hill. Behind you are the cairns of Drygarn Fawr.
Near the brow of the hill, you can see concrete posts on either side of the track which mark the boundary of the estate. Continue along the track and go through the gate, onto the tarmac track to the bottom of the hill.
At the bottom, turn left and walk along the quiet lane beside the woodland until you reach a waymarker on the right hand side of the road after 800m.
Follow the footpath down the hill for 150m. Take the first path on the left and continue downhill for 20m. Turn left again and cross the bridge, then go through the gate.
At the crossroads after 20m, go straight ahead then take the path by the fence. Pass through the kissing gate and turn right through a second gate. Cross the bridge and turn left to head down the Visitor Centre drive.
This gentle circular walk takes about half an hour to complete and includes a spectacular view of Caban Coch Dam.
• GO TO ROUTE •A 20 minute walk around the base of the largest and newest dam in the Elan and Claerwen Valleys.
• 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 •
