Try these 7 walks in Powys
Mid Wales is a wonderful area for hikers – this is a land of mountains, waterfalls, lakes and so much spectacular scenery it can be hard to know which path to pick first. At around 2,000 square miles, Powys is the biggest county in the region, and home to hundreds of trails for everyone from hardcore hikers to families with young walkers.
Powys stretches all the way up from the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park at its southern end to the borders of Eryri (Snowdonia) and the Shropshire Hills in the north. That’s a whole lot of gorgeous scenery to take in, so to help you decide where to go, we’ve come up with a list of our favourite walks in Powys – all recommended by the outdoor enthusiasts at Pitchup.
But before you grab your boots and get going, how about a place to stay between walks? There’s surely no better way to make the most of this fabulous scenery than to pick an outdoor stay, whether you’re just doing a quick weekend away or planning a longer holiday. Pitchup’s range of Powys campsites has something to cater for all tastes and budgets – click the link to check out all the options.
Four Falls Trail, Ystradfellte
Locals and visitors alike have tipped this as the best walk in the Brecon Beacons: the Four Falls Trail is well marked, easy to adapt and stunningly scenic. As the name suggests, the five-mile main trail takes in four fabulous waterfalls, including one that you can walk behind and others where you can have a paddle or dip in the cool water (just be careful on the slippery rocks…).
There are a couple of car parks at the start of the main trail, which takes around two hours to complete. You can also take short cuts, or extend your hike by following paths through wooded gorges or across fields to Penderyn, a small village with a popular whisky distillery.
Pen y Fan
This is the big one: Pen y Fan is the tallest mountain in southern Britain at a height of 886 metres. But that doesn’t mean it’s only for experienced mountaineers – in fact, Pen y Fan is one of the most accessible peaks in Wales, so it’s suitable for novices and kids (in good weather and with decent shoes, of course).
The easiest way to get up to the Iron Age cairn at the summit is to follow the four-mile trail up from Storey Arms (so popular it’s known to locals as ‘The Motorway’). Both the trail and the car parks can get very busy at times, so more intrepid types might instead prefer to follow the route up the northern side, or continue on to other peaks like Corn Du and Cribyn.
Llyn Clywedog
Not up for mountain scrambles? Try the rather gentler lakeside loop trail at Llyn Clywedog, further north near Llanidloes. There are two marked trails here, taking in the lake shore, the impressive dam and the historic lead mines nearby – combine the two for a walk of 3.5 miles.
There are plenty of pretty places to stop for a picnic along the way, and you could also make a proper day of it with some fishing, watersports or birdwatching.
Montgomery Canal Meanders
For an easy and family-friendly walk, set out from the lovely town of Welshpool and head south to wander along by the waterside on the Montgomery Canal towpath, looking out for wildlife like otters and kingfishers as you go.
You can make this walk as short or as long as you like: go all the way to Newtown, 15 miles away, if you’re feeling energetic, or take a detour to check out pretty Powis Castle and its deer park closer to town for a shorter but more varied walk (just be aware you won’t be allowed to take dogs if you choose this version).
Elan Valley
This isn’t a single walking route but an area that has plenty of options: the Elan Valley estate has around 80 miles of trails that lend themselves to everything from a gentle wander to a more challenging hike.
The main Elan Valley Trail is a popular pick, particularly with families, as it’s a well-surfaced route that’s suitable for kids (either walking or cycling) and less mobile visitors. Elsewhere there are trails taking you through woodlands and past the estate’s six enormous dams (built to supply clean water to Birmingham back at the turn of the 20th century).
Hay Bluff
Lots of people head to Hay on Wye for the bookshops, but before you settle down for a cosy evening with your chosen tome, take a walk up Hay Bluff, a popular flat-topped peak in the Black Mountains about five miles south of the town.
As hill walks go, the 1.6-mile trail is a relatively easy one, with a good path running all the way up from the car park (although you can also earn yourself a post-walk pint by walking all the way from Hay town centre). From the higher reaches there are some splendid views out over the Brecon Beacons and the Wye Valley, and across the English border towards Hereford.
Taff Trail
The Taff Trail is only partly in Powys, but it’s a great way to see a real variety of scenery as you stroll. The traffic-free trail runs for 55 miles from Cardiff up to Brecon, taking in the old industrial sites of the south Wales valleys, ancient buildings like Castell Coch and several lakes and waterfalls.
Shorter sections can be tackled in a day, of course – the northern end around Brecon is a good one for pretty scenery. Or you could take on the challenge of completing the whole thing over the course of a few days, overnighting at campsites along the way.
Time to take a break from walking? Check out our other suggestions of things to do in the area, including some lovely towns to visit, and the best places to go fishing in Powys. Camping and glamping are both great ways to experience more of this gorgeous area too – they’re both budget-friendly options and will allow you to soak up even more of the scenery and fresh air.