Start/Finish Clive Powell’s bike shop, SN969/679 Total distance 18.9km (11.7 miles) Total ascent 535m Time 1.5-3 hours Maps OS Landranger (1:50K) No. 147 Elan Valley & Builth Wells. Or Garmin GB Discoverer 1:50K Southern England & Wales (GPS). Summary Short route that packs in a lot, including big climbs and a narrow, wobbly suspension bridge. 1 From Clive Powell’s bike shop, turn right out the door, along the B4518 road, down and over the bridge out of town and take the road on the right (just past the cycle path on the left), signposted Mountain Road, Aberystwyth. After 0.5km turn left on minor road in the trees (no signs), continue uphill and join a bridleway at the end, near a house. 2 Follow this through the small oak wood, becoming downhill, keeping right at a fork. Leave the woods to meet the road. Turn right then left through a gate into a field. At a second gate bear left to join Elan cycle trail, going right. Follow the cycle track, making sure to turn down to Elan Village/Elan Valley visitor centre. 3 Cross the bridge and bear left on the Tarmac, through the village and turn right at a fork as you start to climb. Follow the Tarmac around to the left, continue ahead on a bridleway, climbing steeply uphill. Go straight on at the cross tracks near the top. 4 Bear right at junction, then shortly left on the Wye Valley Walk to the road at the bottom. (Note: this is a steep, rocky descent, so keep right if you’d prefer an easier descent.) Go right on the road, downhill and turn left at the bottom, beside the water and cross the wobbly bridge. 5 Join a road and shortly turn left off this then continue ahead on the bridleway (leaving the Wye Valley Walk), to the Elan cycle track. Turn right on this, back to the B4518 road. Turn right on the road, back into Rhayader.by wmbsu
© Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.