Elan Valley
Whether blanketed in frost, shrouded in mist, or gleaming under late winter sunshine, the valley’s paths reveal a landscape rich in solitude and quiet drama. This flexible plan looks to capture the exhilaration of walking high into the hills, balanced by the comfort of scenic lower routes when the weather closes in.
Elan Valley
Three-day Elan Valley Winter Adventure
Nestled in the heart of mid-Wales, the Elan Valley offers a tapestry of rolling landscapes and dramatic uplands, making it a prime destination for winter hillwalking. The area’s wild beauty, coupled with the ever-changing moods of the weather, calls for a flexible approach, ensuring both adventure and safety. With Rhayader serving as the practical base for expeditions, walkers can adapt their plans to the valley’s conditions and explore its hidden corners.
This itinerary is designed to give walkers a true sense of the Elan’s varied terrain, with the aim of exploring the open hills and broad ridges whenever conditions allow. Should the weather turn unsettled, lower and more sheltered alternatives offer rewarding days amid valleys, woodlands, and reservoirs. Both options begin and end in Rhayader, keeping logistics simple and allowing each group to adapt their plans in response to the forecast.
Rhayader (pronounced Rai-adder)
Rhayader is a friendly market town on the edge of the Cambrian Mountains, serving as the gateway to the Elan Valley.
Rhayader
Your Base
Rhayader (pronounced Rai-adder) is a friendly market town on the edge of the Cambrian Mountains, serving as the gateway to the Elan Valley. Set where the River Wye meets a web of upland streams, it’s perfectly placed for exploring both high, open hills and the sheltered reservoirs below. The town’s compact centre offers cafés, traditional pubs, outdoor shops, and a relaxed local character that makes it an inviting place to return to after a day on the trail.
Once a vital crossroads for drovers and traders, Rhayader retains a strong sense of heritage, reflected in its stone architecture and timeless setting. Today, it’s known as a hub for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers — a place where wild landscapes meet warm hospitality. It’s the perfect base for to discover the Elan’s quiet ridges, hidden valleys, and ever-changing moods.
Exploring the Elan Hills
Looking across the valley
Highlights
A winter Weekend
Exploring the Elan Hills – Venture onto open hills for sweeping views and a true sense of space and solitude.
Flexible Routes – Choose between high ridges or sheltered valleys, with rewarding walks in any weather.
Drama of the Dams – Admire the Elan’s great stone dams, their winter beauty framed by frost and flowing water.
Wildlife and Winter Light – Spot red kites and ravens as the hills glow under low sun or misty skies.
Dark Skies – Experience one of Britain’s clearest night skies, with stars bright above the quiet hills.
Warmth and Welcome – Return each evening to Rhayader’s friendly pubs and cafés to relax and share the day’s stories
Views over the Valley
The magical and remote valley
Itinerary
Three Days of Adventure
Itinerary
Each day’s choices are designed to showcase Elan’s shifting atmospheres, from exposed, wind-scoured ridgelines to tranquil woodland paths meandering beneath steep crags. The main routes invite walkers onto the heights, where the sense of remoteness is matched only by the panoramic views, while the alternatives reveal the valley’s softer contours—riverside meadows, ancient woodland, and glimpses of wildlife grazing in sheltered enclaves. This flexible structure encourages a spirit of adventure while prioritising safety, allowing the day’s ambition to expand or contract with the forecast. The trip begins on Friday 27th with arrival, orientation, and settling into accommodation. On Saturday 28th, the group will hike Gorllwyn Ridge (613 m) — a 13 km moderate route with broad ridges and scenic views, with an easier Wye Valley riverside walk as a bad-weather alternative. Sunday 1st features a climb of Drygarn Fawr (645 m), a 14–16 km summit route over open moorland, or a shorter dam and valley walk if conditions are poor. On Monday 2nd, the Crugyn Ci Circuit (588 m) offers a final 11 km scenic ridge route before departure, with a sheltered lakeside alternative planned for bad weather. The trip concludes on Tuesday 3rd with breakfast and farewells before travelling home. Please note, the itinerary can change according to the conditions.
The town of Rhayader
A local pub which offers accommodation and food.
Accommodation
While this itinerary is being finalised, we’re reviewing a range of accommodation options — from holiday cottages to welcoming pubs. Rhayader is a small town, but it offers several comfortable places to stay, all within easy reach of the walks. Accommodation details will be confirmed once bookings are secured.
Evening meals will be arranged in a local pub or restaurant unless you prefer to make your own choices.
Looking over the reservoir
Terrain and Fitness
What do you need to know?
Terrain: The Elan Valley combines open moorland, rolling uplands, forest tracks, and well-made paths around the reservoirs. Higher routes traverse rough grass, heather, and occasional bog, with some short, steep climbs to ridgelines. Lower alternatives tend to be more sheltered, following valleys, woodland trails, and dam paths with steady gradients. Expect uneven ground, stone steps, and the occasional stream crossing.
Fitness Level: Walks are suitable for those with moderate hillwalking experience and a reasonable level of fitness. Typical days involve 4–6 hours on the trail, with ascents of 300–600 m. The higher routes can feel more demanding in wind or poor weather, while the lower circuits offer steadier options for variable conditions.
Most Elan Valley walks on this programme fall between moderate – strenuous, graded from 2/5 to 4/5 depending on our choices.
Samantha Armstrong
WALX Master and Mountain Leader
The Finer Points
How this Trip Works
We are a guiding provider, not a tour operator. To keep your choices flexible and costs transparent. If group accommodation is arranged(such as a shared house), we will source and coordinate the booking on behalf of all participants. The total cost will then be divided between those staying, and payment will be collected in advance to secure the property collectively. If you choose to stay in alternative accommodation, you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own booking directly. Our guided programme and logistics are provided separately.
What this means
Guiding & programme fee — paid to us.
How to book (simple steps)
- Reserve your place on this trip with us with a non-refundable deposit of £50 by contacting Samantha Armstrong
- Organise accommodation, liaising with WALX Derwent and Dales.
- See ‘How to prepare guide’, which is sent separately once booked.
Prices and Supplements
- Guiding Price: £ 295 pp.
- Management and logistics fee: £50 pp
- Accommodation Price: TBC
- Single Supplement: TBC
- Payment terms – Non-refundable deposit upon booking. Balance is due 8 weeks prior to the trip.
- We need a minimum of 6 for this trip to go ahead. We aim for a group size of 12 participants.
- You can choose to join us for the weekend or for the full three-day experience.
Booking contact: WALX Derwent & Dales Samantha Armstrong Email: sam.derwentdales@walx.co.uk Phone: 07860 478409
What’s Not Included
- Accommodation, meals, packed lunches, drinks,
- Personal travel insurance in case of cancellation (mandatory)
- We will set up a WhatsApp group and put you in contact with each other to organise travel plans.
We will issue a comprehensive kit list for winter walking and T&C’s.