Location : Clywedog reservoir near Llanidloes, Powys.
Distance : About 7 km (about 4 miles)
Notes : Magnificent views. Steep in places and can be muddy after rain.
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This walk has been sent to us by Rachael Jones from Aberhafesp near Newtown.
Start at the car park next to Bwlch y Gle dam on the Clywedog reservoir near Llanidloes (992883). Turn right out of the car park onto the B4518 and then turn right almost immediately onto a track. After about 20 metres, take the track that bears to the right and follow this for about 50 metres then turn sharp left in front of a gate.
Walk along the track and go through a gate and over a stream.
Either follow the obvious track that winds up the hillside to the triangulation pillar at the top of Bryn y Fan from where there are magnificent views or stay on the path that goes clockwise round the hill, keeping to the right hand side of the stone wall.
The wall peters out after 100 metres and becomes a metal fence; keep a few metres to the right of it. After going a few hundred metres, climb across a broken wall and metal fence that lie to the right of an old metal gate and follow the path through gorse bushes. After a hundred metres, climb over a metal fence and walk through a pretty coniferous plantation.
After the plantation, the footpath becomes an obvious track and lies to the left of a metal fence. You will see a couple of farms to your left. When you reach the road, turn right
Pass a cottage called Aber Trinant on the left and follow the road past a turn off marked Trefeglwys 3. After about 300, metres, turn through a gate on your right and walk along a track alongside a hedge to a sheep pen.
Climb over the first gate then climb over the old gate immediately to your left. Take care when climbing over the old gate.
Head straight across the middle of the field to the ridge from where there are stunning views.
Keeping the large sheds and farmhouse to your left, walk downhill to join a track. Turn right and follow the track for about 50 metres. When the track bends sharply to the right, turn off to the left, climb over a green gate and walk alongside a stream downhill to the far end of the field. Cross a metal fence with care and walk a few metres to a distinct track. Turn right and walk about 200 metres to Van Farm.
Pass straight through the farm and take the left hand fork at the end of the buildings. When this track turns sharply to the left, keep straight on through a red gate, keeping the old bathtub to your left. Leave the track and bear left across the field towards a farmhouse. Climb over a wooden gate next to a large oak tree (take care) and walk downhill to a track and turn right.
Follow this track through very pretty wooded countryside with a stream on your left. After about 1km (a little under a mile) you will see a stile across the metal fence that runs alonside the stream; cross this stile on to a very good track. Turn right on to the track and follow it back to the car park.
Written by Rachael Jones from Aberhafesp
Check out our Llanidloes Town Site
Gillina from West Yorkshire sent in this review of the walk in August 2007.
Gillian:"We did this walk recently and the views were lovely. The path to the top of Bryn y Fan is good and the whole hill is access land but there is no clear route down apart from the way you came up. We headed north and down to the minor road rather than retrace our steps but note that it is very steep and there is a fence at the bottom. We couldn't find the footpath after the turn off to Trefeglwys so went a bit further down the road and took the bridle way to Van farm, the bridle way is not marked. Near the end of the walk I would advise not using the track mentioned as there is a sign further on as it emerges on to the bridle way making it quite clear that it is not a right of way (nor is it access land. and be warned the toilets shown on the map at the car park are now closed. Despite all this it was a smashing walk, thanks to Rachael for posting it."
