Elan Valley Trail – River Wye loop from Gilfach Nature Reserve

Bike touring routes & trails

Elan Valley Trail – River Wye loop from Gilfach Nature Reserve

Hard

riders

Elan Valley Trail – River Wye loop from Gilfach Nature Reserve

06:36

79.6km

1,350m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 7, 2026

Tips

Includes a very steep uphill segment

You may need to push your bike.

After 12.8 km for 567 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

6.26 km

Elan Valley Trail

Highlight • Trail

The Elan Valley is one of the most picturesque areas of Wales. Known as the "Welsh Lake District" the area of beautiful countryside and lakes spans over 70 square miles …

Tip by

13.3 km

Llanerchi Wood

Forest

17.5 km

Claerwen Dam

Highlight • Structure

Lovely views along the Clarewen reservoir & down along the valley. Great in good weather - harsh in inclement weather!

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21.1 km

View of Craig Goch Dam

Highlight • Viewpoint

Even on a wet day this is a spectacular place to visit - Great fun on a gravel bike

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24.8 km

View of Claerwen Reservoir

Highlight • Trail

One of the most beautiful gravel roads I’ve ridden in Wales. Not suitable for road bikes as gravel is pretty rough in places.

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32.0 km

An area that feels different from anywhere else I know. The land is lumpy with an impressive mix of green and brown at this time of year. Lots of wildlife, loads of dragonflies, kites, ravens and big fat caterpillars.

Translated by Google •

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44.2 km

Coed Lledwenau

Forest

45.9 km

Viewpoint

53.8 km

Gravel Path Through Green Valley

Highlight • Trail

68.4 km

River Wye

Highlight • Natural Monument

The fifth longest river in the UK, the River Wye runs from Plynlimon to the Severn estruary along the border between England and Wales. Much of the river is a …

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77.8 km

Quiet Road Along the Wye Valley

Highlight • Trail

79.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

31.8 km

30.1 km

7.26 km

5.97 km

3.68 km

801 m

Surfaces

32.9 km

32.0 km

13.4 km

696 m

660 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (530 m)

Lowest point (140 m)

Weather

Monday 5 October

18°C

11°C

47 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 23, 2023,Trans Cambrian Way - Part 2

This is the second day of the Trans Cambrian Way. Little more over cast, but still warm. This part goes through the Elan Valley. I'm not comfortable doing this distance, especially on the dirt. Think the weather and the scenery got me through, but I was flagging towards the end. Left the bike at a pub in Llangurig and got …