The Elan Valley attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year and the beautiful scenery is only one of the area's many natural attractions.
Owned by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, the whole estate covers around 70 square miles. Much of the land comes under one of 12 different Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Since 1989, a greater part of the estate has been vested in a charity called the Elan Valley Trust, whose charitable objectives include protecting the landscape, species and habitats and encouraging access, recreation and education on the estate.
A series of dams and reservoirs runs through the estate, supplying water to Birmingham and many areas of mid and south Wales. They were constructed at the turn of the twentieth century, forcing more than 100 people who lived in the valley to leave.
There are still about 40 farms on the estate - but this is mainly open land and protecting the water supply from pollution has also provided a haven for nature to flourish.
The area is teeming with birdlife. Since records began, 180 different species of bird have been recorded in the Elan Valley.
Around 80 species breed there regularly, including seven of the 36 birds declared by the RSPB and the British Trust of Ornithology to be the rarest in Britain. These include the Merlin and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Goshawks, Peregrine, Red Kite, the Siskin and Crossbill can also be seen. On the high moors, look out for Golden Plover and Dunlin.
The Elan Valley is also home to more than 20 different types of mammal, including stoats and occasional otters. These animals, however, tend to be shy and most venture out at night so don't bank on seeing them.
More than 300 species of flowering plant as well as lichens, mosses, liverworts and ferns are found. have been found growing on the estate as well as all kinds of lichens and mosses.
It's a fantastic place for walking and, with 80 miles of designated rights of way, there are treks to suit all tastes and abilities.
Elan Valley Trail
One of the most popular walks is the Elan Valley Trail, which is eight miles long and follows the route of an old railway line. It's a surfaced path, suitable for all - pushchairs and wheelchairs, cyclists and horse riders, as well as walkers.
The trail begins in Cwmdauddwr on the B4518 just west of Rhayader, where there's a small car park (SN966677), and ends at Craig Goch Reservoir. If you need to get back to Rhayader, that's another eight mile hike - but you don't have to do the full route. There are several places along the B4518 road where you can join the trail.
If you fancy a more challenging hike, pick up a leaflet on "Ten Hillwalks around Rhayader and the Elan Valley" at the Information Desk. However, if you don't feel like stretching those legs, much of the estate can also be seen from the comfort of your own car. Follow the narrow winding road through the valley where the scenery can be breathtaking.
The Elan Valley rangers organise a programme of special events throughout the year and details can be found on the reserve's website*.
ALSO ON BBC.CO.UK:
Read about the 2004 Elan Valley Centenary
Special events in the Elan Valley*
*Please note that the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Grid Reference: SN925648 Opening Times
Open access to most of the estate.
Visitor Centre open mid March - early November, 7 days a week, 10am - 5.30pm
Admission Charges
Free. £1 car parking fee.
Address
Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HP.
Grif Ref. SN928646
Telephone
01597 810898 (Visitor Centre - Seasonal opening, see above); 01597 810880 (Rangers' Office - open all year)
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Watch Betty Davies' peronal story about how her family stayed in the Elan Valley while others left.
