The traditional 12 days of Christmas celebrate the last six days of one year and the first six days of the New Year.
Elan Valley Rangers are inviting visitors to try one (or all!) of the Elan Valley walking trails, starting from Boxing Day through to the New Year!
A fantastic new ‘Collection of Elan Valley Walking Trails’ pack has been launched and can be purchased from the visitor centre. The pack is £2.95, with individual leaflets at just 50p each. There are seven leaflets which include 12 trails that cover beautiful woodland, spectacular dams and incredible views.
With 72 miles of stunning landscape, walking in the Elan Valley offers breath-taking views and of course some magnificent dams along the way. Forming part of the Cambrian Mountains, this sparsely populated area is over 80 per cent designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to some incredible wildlife. These stunning walks vary from 0.5 miles to 6.4 miles, some trails are fully accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs meaning everyone can enjoy a fabulous walk.
Enjoy a rewarding festive drink in the café upon your return. The Gingerbread Lattes and Black Forest Hot Chocolate are proving to be very popular with visitors! The visitor centre is open 10am – 4pm daily, except Christmas Day.
Day 1: Elan Valley Trail to Rhayader (Easy)
Walk length: 3 miles from the Visitor Centre to Rhayader and back.
The trail starts at Rhayader, passes the visitor centre and continues past three of the dams before finishing at Craig Goch Dam.
Day 2: Elan Valley Trail to Craig Coch Dam (Easy)
Walk length: 6.2 miles each way
Discover the mighty Craig Coch and Pen y Garreg Dams on this accessible walk. The Trail follows the line of the old Birmingham Corporation Railway. At its busiest time the railway had an estimated 53 kilometres (33 miles) of track.
Day 3: Garreg Ddu Loop Walking Trail (Hard)
Walk length: 6.2 miles
Enjoy this popular walk with paths that meander through spectacular woodlands and fields. Visit the remains of Cwm Elan House Garden Walls – where the poet Shelley stayed in 1811-1812 and walk across the impressive Garreg Ddu Dam.
Day 4: Nant y Gro Walking Trail (Hard)
Walk length: 3 miles
Enjoy great views of Caban Coch Dam and Reservoir. Marvel at the iconic beauty of Garreg Ddu Viaduct. Check out the history behind Nant y Gro, which was originally built for the village workers and is now famous for its role in the World War II Dambuster raid. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see Caban Coch Reservoir, Garreg Ddu Dam, Nantgwyllt Church and Drygarn Fawr (the highest point in the Estate) at 641 metres above sea level.
Day 5: Cnwch Woods Blue Route (Easy)
Walk length: 0.8 miles
Explore Cnwch Woods and see Caban Coch Dam, which was designed to look like a waterfall when overflowing.
Day 6: Cnwch Woods Orange Route (Moderate)
Walk length: 1.25 miles
A circular woodland trail with some steep sections and steps and amazing views of Caban Coch and Elan Village.
Day 7: Cnwch Woods Red Route (Hard)
Walk length: 1 mile
A woodland loop that can be added on to the orange course to the top of Elan village.
Day 8: Claerwen Walking Trail (Easy)
Walk length: 0.5 miles
Walk around the base of the largest and newest dam in the Elan and Claerwen Valleys.
Day 9: Claerwen Walking Trail (Moderate)
Walk length: 0.6 miles
Walk to a stunning waterfall with amazing views of the largest dam.
Day 10: Claerwen Walking Trail (Hard)
Walk length: 1.5 miles
Walk along the impressive Claerwen Dam, take on steep climbs which are rewarded with stunning views.
Day 11: Penbont Walking Trail Green Route (Easy)
Walk length: 0.5 miles
Enjoy a pleasant stroll in the woods to the base of Pen y Garreg Dam. Pen y Garreg is the smallest reservoir at just over 6,000 megalitres, covering an area of 50 hectares, which is similar to 50 international sized rugby pitches.
Day 12: Penbont Walking Trail Purple Route (Moderate)
Walk length: 1 mile
Loop to the top of Pen y Garreg Dam and around through both sides of Penbont Woods. On Dam Open Days you can walk inside a tunnel through Pen y Garreg and come out on the central tower.
Download the leaflets: https://www.facebook.com/ElanValley or call in for a walking pack. Elan Valley staff are on hand to answer questions and advise on the best walking trails to suit you.