Elan Valley Reservoir Challenge
A 17-mile long-distance challenge walk circuiting a number of the reservoirs of the Elan Valley in Wales. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SN 927 646
Distance: 17 miles (27 km)
Time: 10–14 hours
Duration: 1–2 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
187 Llandovery, Llandymddyfri, Llanwrtyd Wells and Llyn Brianne
200 Llandrindod Wells and Elan Valley / Llandrindod a Dyffryn Elan
Summary
The Elan Valley Reservoir Challenge is a demanding walk around the reservoirs of the Elan Valley in Powys, Wales. Much of the route traverses unwaymarked, remote moorland that requires careful GPS navigation and/or map-and-compass skills. From the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, the route passes each of the major dams, follows rivers and reservoir shores, explores woodland, climbs surrounding hills, and finally returns to the starting point by tracing the old railway line used during the original dam construction. Key waypoints appearing on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer mapping include Caban-coch Reservoir, Dolyllynach Reservoir, Llannerch Cawr, Rhiwnant, Afon Claerwen, Claerwen Reservoir, Cefn Cwm-coel, Moelfryn, Craig Goch Reservoir, Penygarreg Reservoir, and Garreg-ddu Reservoir.