Cycle Llanidloes
View the Llanidloes Cycle routes
The River to Mountains Route
A relatively casual ride down the beautiful Hafren/Severn Valley warms you up for a 3 mile climb, some parts quite steep, but please don't let this put you off. The scenery looks like you are climbing into mountains and, at the end, gives you a wonderful view of the Pumlumon Mountains and even, on a clear day, Snowdonia. From about 180 metres in Llanidloes you will climb to 430 metres height.
It also takes in magnificent views across much of the old medieval Kingdom of Arwystli. Red kites can often be seen. There are fine views of the Hafren and Brochan valleys and as far as the Llandinam Hills, Fan Hill, Llyn Clywedog and the Dyfi Valley. The ride ends with a long scenic descent.
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Start |
Llanidloes Market Hall |
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Total distance |
11 miles (18 km) |
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Rating |
Quite strenuous. 3 miles of fairly taxing hills. The rest is quite easy. |
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Riding description |
The first 3 miles are a fairly flat and very pretty ride down the Hafren /Severn valley. After that a short steep hill (1 in 5) takes you to a more gradual ascent up the valley. There are a good few low gear ascents until you hit the water shed. About 1.5 miles is on gravelled tracks which may be a bit muddy at the top of the hill but are of good quality and are easily accessible for all types of bikes. The rest is on good quality hard-surfaced roads. |
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Facilities |
Food and drink, WC at Llanidloes only. |
Map directions
We recommend you consult Explorer 214 (Ordnance Survey 1:25,000)
Alternatively: Landranger 136 (OS 1:50,000)
Route Description
1. From the Market Hall head down Shortbridge Street (heading West North West) (Highlight A - below). Cross the Bridge and turn LEFT.
2. After about half a mile go STRAIGHT at the junction. (Ignore the left fork signed for Sustrans and walking routes). You will now follow the signed Sustrans route 8 for about 3 miles.
3. After about 1.5 miles you arrive at Glan y Nant. Ride through Glan y Nant, ignoring the right turn. Just outside Glan y Nant on the left is the footbridge to use on the Mini Hafren Loop. This is also a good chance to get down to see the river. (Highlights B: Afon Hafren / River Severn)
Continue along the valley for another 1.5 miles.
4. Ignore the right turn signposted to the Hafren Forest. Here you will leave Sustrans route 8.
5. You will very shortly come to some buildings. TURN RIGHT. Get in low gear for a 1 in 5 slope. Great views down the Hafren Valley from here.
6. Carry on up the gentle but longer hill through the forest. This is where the scenery gets magnificently mountainous.
7. After about 2.5 miles after leaving the Hafren / Severn Valley take a LEFT up a gravelled track.
Identify the left turn by the following: There is a wide, fanned gravel entrance; it is just before a very steep descent (so don't go down); it is opposite a metal field gate. It is also marked as a bridle path. The first part is Forestry Commission land. (Grid reference 878 825)
Take your time and enjoy the view! (Highlight C: The view north)
8. Follow the track as it weaves its way up the hill to the pass (Bwlch y Groes). This is the highest part of the ride at 430 metres. A shallow ford (i.e. some flowing puddles) gets you easily over the water from the spring. You can walk or cycle this. Follow the track downhill. Very soon you will see over into the next valley and, in parts the valley beyond. (Highlight D: The view south)
9. When you come to a bridle path crossroads, equipped with a 4 way sign (by a railway carriage!) carry on straight and you will very soon come to a hard-surfaced road.
10. Follow the road, which is downhill (nearly) all the way. After about 2 miles you will come to a sharp bend right which gives you a good view over Llanidloes. The bend leads to a steep downward hill (1 in 5) with a junction at the bottom so please take care.
11. At the junction turn LEFT. You are now on the Sustrans routes 8 and 81. Follow the road to Felindre Bridge, ignoring the turn marked with Severn Way signs.
12. Cross the bridge and go up a short hill to the junction to join your original route out. Turn RIGHT and head back to Llanidloes.
Highlights
A. Short Bridge
The bridge replaced an older one in 1849. It was the work of Thomas Penson, who also produced the rather grander Long Bridge in 1826.
As you turn left admire the Bridgend Factory to your left. It was built in 1834 and was one of the many flannel mills in the area, most of which have now gone. It is a reminder of the areas industrial past which also included lead mining and leather tanning. For a short time (1851 -1864) the town's iron and brass foundry was also based next to the Bridgend Factory.
If you pause on the bridge you might reflect on the legend of Lady Jeffries, a malignant influence whose spirit in supposed to be in a bottle under Shortbridge. She will be free, it is claimed, when the ivy from either side joins in the middle. If the river is low and you see a bottle in the river, please don't open it!
B. Afon Hafren / River Severn
Afon Hafren (the River Severn in its later course) in the stretch above Llanidloes is a haven for wildlife. Here you may see crossbills, siskins, dippers, grey wagtails and kingfishers. Look higher for the commonplace buzzards and the slimmer red kites with their V-shaped tails are also often seen.
C. Views to the north
The view from here, on a very clear day, can go as far as Snowdonia. More usually you can see parts of the Hafren Forest ahead and beyond it to Foel Fadian, above Dylife, which is the highest point on the Glyndwr Way. To your left are the Pumlumon (Plynlimon) Mountains where in the medieval tale "How Culhwch won Olwen" (part of the books collected as the Mabinogion) both Kei and Bedwyr sat "in the greatest wind in the world." On stormy days up here you can almost believe it. Somewhere in the Pumlumon is the site of Owain Glyndwr's victory in 1401, after which he went off to sack Montgomery and burn Welshpool.
To your right the soaring hill that can be seen (shaped a bit like a jagged tooth) is Fan Hill, which towers above Llyn Clywedog (a reservoir) which you will shortly see on your left as you descend.
If the sweeping view appeals then consider the superb Sarn Sabrina walk of 25 miles, each year in May, which strides among much of it in its circular route from Llanidloes.
D. Views to the south
The next valley is the Brochan valley. This valley has a motte and bailey castle (Rhyd-yr-onen) near its head. Beyond you can catch glimpses of the Dulas valley. The Wye Valley is off to the right. In the far distance you can see the windmill generators on top of the Llandinam Hills, part of the biggest wind farm in Europe.
