Try these 7 walks in Powys
Mid Wales is heavenly for hikers – this is a land of mountains, waterfalls, lakes and so much spectacular scenery it can be hard to know which path to pick first. So to help you out we’ve narrowed it down a little with this guide to the best walks in Powys.
Picking Powys as a base is a good start, but there’s still plenty of choice. This is the largest county in Wales, stretching all the way up from the Brecon Beacons National Park at the southern end to the borders of Snowdonia and the Shropshire Hills in the north. If you’d like to explore more of the area, take a read of our Mid Wales camping guide for inspiration.
The most popular walks in Powys tend to be those in the Brecon Beacons – but there’s also much to explore among the pretty hills further north. So grab your boots and your snacks and take your pick from our list of 7 must-try walks in Powys.
Four Waterfalls Walk, Ystradfellte
For many visitors, this is the best walk in the Brecon Beacons: it’s well marked, easy to adapt and stunningly scenic. As the name suggests, the main trail takes in four fabulous waterfalls, including one that you can walk behind and others where you can have a dip in the cool water.
There are a couple of car parks at the start of the main trail, which takes around two hours to complete. You can also take short cuts, or extend your hike by following paths through wooded gorges or across fields to Penderyn (and its whisky distillery).
Browse all of our options for Powys places to stay.
Pen y Fan
This is the big one: Pen y Fan is the tallest mountain in southern Britain at a height of 886 metres. But that doesn’t mean it’s only for experienced mountaineers – in fact, Pen y Fan is one of the most accessible peaks in Wales, so it’s suitable for novices and kids (in good weather and with decent shoes, of course).
The easiest way to get up to the Iron Age cairn at the summit is to follow the trail up from Storey Arms (so popular it’s sometimes known as ‘The Motorway’). More intrepid types can instead follow the route up the northern side, or continue on to other peaks like Corn Du and Cribyn.
Climb Pen y Fan from one of our Brecon Beacons campsites.
Llyn Clywedog
Not up for mountain scrambles? Try the rather gentler lakeside loop trail at Llyn Clywedog, further north near Llanidloes. There are two marked trails here, taking in the lake shore, the impressive dam and the historic lead mines nearby – combine the two for a walk of 3.5 miles.
There are plenty of pretty places to stop for a picnic along the way, and you could also make a proper day of it with some fishing, watersports or birdwatching.
Look for Llanidloes campsites.
Montgomery Canal Meanders
Setting out from the lovely town of Welshpool and heading south, wander along by the waterside on the Montgomery Canal towpath, looking out for wildlife like otters and kingfishers as you go.
You can make this walk as short or as long as you like: go all the way to Newtown, 15 miles away, if you’re feeling energetic, or take a detour to check out the lovely Powis Castle and its deer park closer to town for a shorter but more varied walk (just be aware you won’t be allowed to take dogs if you choose this version).
Once you’ve explored Welshpool, try out some other historic towns to visit in Powys.
Elan Valley
This isn’t a single walking route but an area that has plenty of options: the Elan Valley estate has around 80 miles of trails that lend themselves to everything from a gentle wander to a more challenging hike.
The main Elan Valley Trail is a popular pick, particularly with families, as it’s a well-surfaced route that’s suitable for kids and less mobile visitors. Elsewhere there are trails taking you through woodlands and past the estate’s six enormous dams (built to supply clean water to Birmingham back at the turn of the 20th century).
Explore the Elan Valley from a campsite near Llandrindod Wells or Rhayader.
Hay Bluff
Lots of people head to Hay on Wye for the bookshops, but before you settle down for a cosy evening with your chosen tome, take a walk up Hay Bluff, a popular flat-topped peak in the Black Mountains.
As hill walks go, this is a relatively easy one, with a good path running all the way up from the car park (although you can also earn yourself a post-walk pint by walking all the way from Hay town centre). From the higher reaches there are some splendid views out over the Brecon Beacons and the Wye Valley, and across the English border towards Hereford.
Mix up reading and rambling at a campsite near Hay-on-Wye.
Taff Trail
The Taff Trail is only partly in Powys, but it’s a great way to see a real variety of scenery as you stroll. The traffic-free trail runs for 55 miles from Cardiff up to Brecon, taking in the old industrial sites of the south Wales valleys, ancient buildings like Castell Coch and several lakes and waterfalls.
Shorter sections can be tackled in a day, of course – the northern end around Brecon is a good one for pretty scenery. Or you could go the whole hog with an overnight stop or two at campsites along the way.
Tackle part of the Taff Trail from campsites near Brecon.
Time to take a break from walking? Check out other ideas on our list of the best things to do in Powys.