Elan Valley Trail from Rhayader
This spectacular trail climbs past three reservoirs in the heart of beautiful, mountainous Mid Wales following the line of the old Birmingham Corporation Railway, which was built to help construct the Elan Valley reservoirs. These were built between 1892 and 1904 and during the busiest period more than 5000 men were employed. The reservoirs were created to supply Birmingham and the water travels 73 miles by pipeline to reach its destination.
The reservoirs are a string of four narrow lakes running north-south. You can learn more about the construction of the reservoirs at the Visitor Centre (which also has a cafe).
The ride climbs 165ft from the Elan Valley Visitor Centre past Caban Coch and Garreg Ddu Reservoirs with their fine dams and an ornamental water tower, to the end of Penygarreg Reservoir leaving you with a very fine descent back to the start. When the reservoirs are full you will be rewarded with the sight of millions of gallons of water cascading over the dam walls.
The tunnel near to Rhayader is a nature reserve for rare bats. The trail is also right in the heart of Red Kite country so be prepared to see these magnificent birds with their distinctive forked tail wheeling in the thermals above you.
Natural attractions:
- The Elan Valley reservoirs
Visitor attractions:
- Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Route submitted by: Sustrans
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Key route details
- Region/Area:
Powys
- Distance:
9 miles one way
- Time needed:
3 - 4 hours
- Classification:
Moderate
- Traffic:
Traffic-free
- Surface:
Tarmac / Gravel
- NCN Route:
National Route 81
- Start:
On the west side of Rhayader
- Finish:
The top end of Penygarreg Reservoir
- Cycle hire:
Clive Powell Mountain Bike Centre, Rhayader. Tel: 01597 811343
- Access:
Train station at Llandrindod Wells.
- Maps and guides:
-
Lôn Cambria & Lôn Teifi NN81 £5.99
- Links with:
There is a wide gravel track alongside Claerwen Reservoir to the west of Rhayader
- Weather:
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Today
max: 11°C min: 5°C
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Sat
max: 13°C min: 6°C
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Sun
max: 13°C min: 8°C
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Mon
max: 14°C min: 6°C
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