Elan Valley, Mid Wales

Distance 13km (8.1 miles) Climbing 420m (1,378ft) Time 45mins to 1hr 15mins

Start/ inish Elan Valley Visitor Centre (grid ref SN 928/646, postcode LD6 5HP)

Route summary An easy ride to sample the lovely countryside of the Elan Valley. A big climb is involved, but the reward is a steep, technical descent – or an easier alternative, if required 1 Go back out the entrance to the visitor centre, over the cattle grid. Turn right, over a metal bridge, and bear left on the tarmac, through Elan village. As you start to climb, turn right at the fork.

2 Follow the tarmac around to the left, then keep ahead/left on a bridleway, climbing steeply uphill. Continue straight over the track crossing near the top. Bear right at the first junction. At the next junction, shortly afterwards, you have a choice. If you’d prefer an easier way down, keep right/ahead, then go left on the road at the bottom, continuing straight on, o -road, when it bears left, uphill. Alternatively, turn left, to join the Wye Valley Walk (this is the way we’ve shown on our map). Follow the steep, rocky descent down to the road, then go right, downhill. As the road bears right, at the bottom, turn left. 3 the road on the far side. After a short distance, turn o left, along the edge of a wood.

4 Continue straight on, on a bridleway (leaving the Wye Valley Walk). When you reach the Elan cycle track, follow it left. Make sure to turn o left, down to Elan village and the visitor centre, to finish, or you’ll end up by the Caban Coch Dam.