Newbridge to Rhayader

Although this walk did not finish at the source of the river Wye this was the final leg of our walk. We began by meeting up at the layby in Newbridge on a damp morning with dark clouds in the sky. The forecast was for cloud but no rain on the Saturday and sunshine for the Sunday. An initial climb to Pen-y-Bont took us up a side road before turning right onto the footpath and crossing some fields before taking the bridge across a brook and continuing to Ty'n-y-coed. After crossing more open countryside we came to a small stream with a wooden bridge.

The river was in good flow after the recent rains and was making quite a noise as it flowed over the rocks. As can be seen from the photo the river has now narrowed considerably. Continuing across the fields we came to a road which took us down to the river once more. We then passed through Ty'n-y-lon Wood and followed the track alongside the wooded plantations before eventually stopping for lunch. No sooner had we started to eat when the flies and midges came out of nowhere to bite us. Swarms of tiny little things whose bite seemed out of all proportion to their size.

Gradually the path led down to the village of Llanwrthwl and the long haul up and over Carngafallt and its RSPB nature reserve, with impressive views over the surrounding hills and valleys. A steep path down the other side was covered in rocks and flowing water making the descent a little difficult. As we approached the footbridge at Glyn we came across a local with a gun who seemed to want to shoot every wild animal in sight, from badgers to kites to rabbits and crows. Well it takes all sorts!

The suspension footbridge itself was just a rope and wood affair, very scary for some, especially when swung and bounced by others without fear. The route here crosses the old railway line as the road took us to Glan Elan and into Rhayader itself. It is here that we stopped for the night but not without enjoying a meal of local food at the Crown Inn and winning the Quiz that took place there in the late evening.

In the morning after breakfast we met up again for a photo at the War Memorial. We then split into two groups with one group walking the nature reserve and river walk before going on the the Elan Valley reservoirs Meanwhile the other group went to Elan to take one of the walks around one of the reservoirs. A great weekend and the Wye Valley Walk conquered

Route: Newbridge on Wye to Rhayader

Route: Broughrood to Newbridge

Broughrood to Newbridge

This was the first walk of 2011 as we had taken a break over the winter months. Unfortunately the weather was not too kind to begin with. Rain, bitterly cold winds and sleet were mixed with blue skys and sporadic sunshine over the two days this walk took us. We had arranged to stay in two B&Bs in Builth Wells, The Hollies and Bronwye Guest House, both of which can be highly recommended.

After sorting out the transport we set off from Broughrood bridge taking the track alongside the river. Due to recent rains the river was swolen with fast running muddy water, in places, cascading over rocks to form rapids. It wasn't long before we crossed the river at Llanstephan Bridge. This is a metal suspension bridge with a single track wooden surface, clatters as any cars cross. Continuing along the oposite river bank we came across an old disused railway track bed which we followed to Earwood station and the Craft Centre for a picnic lunch and a cup of tea in the tea room.

From here we crossed the river again and started the long climb up to Little Hill Common and along the single track road  before the turn off to Banc y Celyn. As I was suffering with muscle ache and one of the cars had been left here I took the car further along the road while the rest of the party tackled the climb to the top meeting up with them as they descended back to the road near Bedw-fach. From here we collected the remaining cars and descended to Bulth Wells for a well earned rest.

After Booking in to our respective B&Bs and changing into dryer cleaner clothes we met up at the Greyhound Hotel for dinner. Here the very helpful staff provided us with some excellent pub grub and some well earned drinks. before we returned to our acommodaton for the night to recouperate.

In the morning we returned to the road beneath Allt-mawr and still suffering decided to let the main party descend to Builth Wells whilst I took the remaining car down to the car park beside the river. I understand this was a very muddy wet descent along various tracks and lanes.

Once down in the town we gathered at the riverside for a warming cup of tea from earlier prepared flasks. A nice tree lined tarmaced walk followed the river before a short detour across the river Irfon. The path from here took us through fields to Wern Wood were we dropped down to go under the railway bridge. The river had taken on a different personallity with cleaner water, a narrower width and rocky outcrops creating a number of fast flowing rapids.

The path continued along the side of the river through fields and wooded areas before leaving through a conifer wood and eventually across a number of open fields and small patches of woodland crossing Hirnant brook and eventually Estyn Wood. From here a short climb took us up to the B4358 and the descent into Newbridge our destination for the day.