Another remote and secluded backpack in the wilds of the Elan Valley, a hurriedly improvised walk based on a group of hills from the Dewey 500m list.
Circumstances found us in mid Wales with our backpacking kit and three days to walk, but no plan or suitable map. The quickest option was to park in Rhayader and buy a copy of Explorer 200 from the small local gear shop, which would give us plenty of variations for an adaptable circuit, and the unexplored Dewey tops in the area would ensure new territory to explore.
The whole upland region undulates around the 500m mark and there are many high spots that rise above that contour, and I had to recall which were Dewey tops from memory. The result was a highly enjoyable circuit in constant sunshine, although the views were the thickest and haziest we have seen outside summer and the pictures owe a lot to Photoshop for turning out as good as they did.
15 Comments
Wild and remote looking. I like the look of that area.
It sure is, in the heart of the area you really feel a long way from anywhere. You have to take the rough with the smooth and there is a lot of the former!.
Another area completely new to me, but it looks great spot to explore!
Gary …
We really like this region, it may not have the grand architecture of the rocky mountains but the heartland gives a real wilderness feeling.
Another fantastic report
Great country. The photos are wonderful.
Chris
Thanks Chris, still a few tops left in this fine area to visit and explore.
One of my favourite backpacking areas Geoff. I can remember having to take my boots off when crossing the Afon Claerwen whilst walking the Monks trod. Whilst sitting down to put boots back on I looked up and saw two red kites circling above me. With a big smile on my face I continued sorting my boots out and jumped when I saw something come out of the water in front of me. It was an otter! It looked towards me then got out of the water and ran upstream before disappearing into some tussocks. An amazing experience.
A region for the connoiseur, I can well believe the need to wade occasionally - this isn’t a water catchement area for nothing!.
The red kites are common now but the otter must have been a prize sighting, we have never seen one.
Just returned from a 2 day circuit inspired by your report.
We parked at the Craig Goch dam and walked along Monks Trod. Found a great pitch at the head of the Teifi Valley.
On day 2 we went to check out the Moel Prysgau bothy (nice bothy - dry, wood burner). A rather dreary section through
the plantation forest followed, then a lovely stretch down the Arban valley to the Claerwan dam, and back over
the moor to the car.
Its a majestic area, surprisingly rugged and feels very wild. Thanks for sharing!
Richard
That sounds great. I remember the lower section of the deserted Arban valley was lovely and easier than expected, and the Teifi lakes gave us one of our best sunrises, check out the other Elan Valley trips.
All this chat about Mid Wales has made me feel less satisfied about the North Pennines Backpack I have planned for this weekend! If Elan was just an hour nearer I would be off…………………….
lovely photos esp ‘Sun sinking towards Claerwen from the pitch on Craig Dyfnant’- have you thought about entering the Walk Magazine competition? http://www.walkmag.co.uk/competitions/photo-competition/
Thanks very much Mike.
The Claerwen sunset photo was a pleasing shot given the conditions, but we have taken better ones in clearer or more dramatic situations - I’ll keep an eye open and might submit some in future.
Great report and photos, I didn’t realise the Elan Valley could look so wild… your photos have definitely spurred me on to grab my walking boots and go check out the area asap!
Thanks Ian, a highly recommended region to escape into the wilds, especially in summer to avoid the hordes.