Starting from and returning to Rhayader the trail takes a circular route visiting all the 7 local churches of Gwastedyn
Coming soon - this is an exciting new project that has arisen out of the St Gwrthwl’s Festival annual pilgrimage around the Churches in our Group. Through an application to the Community Welcome Fund administered by Powys County Council and other fund-raising it is hoped to establish the Trail for both local people and visitors to use. Walkers will have the opportunity of visiting Rhayader and the villages around the route, seeing our churches and learning of the heritage and culture of this area which was home to the Celtic saints of old.
The Trail starts at St Clement’s Church then proceeds through Cwmdeuddwr and along the Elan Valley Trail to Nantgwillt and rejoins the Elan Valley Trail to below Penygarreg. There is then a steep climb over the mountain to the old Aberystwyth Road and Maen Serth. The route descends into the Wye Valley by Cwm Coch and follows the Wye Valley Walk to Marteg. Passing through Gilfach the road is joined as far as St Harmon.
From St Harmon the road is followed round the back of Moel Hywel and after a steep climb reaches the forestry track which leads to Camlo Hill. There is then a steady descent to Nantmel Church. The route past the School, across the main road and after a short road section passes Llyn Gwyn and through Lwyn Piod. The road is crossed and the path followed to Ysfa Church. After another very short road section the trail enters the forest and passes the ruin of Caerhyddwen long house. After passing through Ashfield it emerges on the main road which is crossed for Llanwrthwl Church. The last stage follows either the Wye Valley Walk or the road to the river junction and into Cwmdeuddwr, finishing at St Bride’s.
The total distance is 36 miles and provides an excellent idea of the variety of beautiful countryside which we have in our Group Parishes, not to mention the fascinating history of the foundations of our churches –in due course there will be sign boards at each church giving information to visitors.
Section One: Rhayader to Nantgwyllt
Click on link to view and download page
rhayader_to_nantgwillt.pdf
Nantgwyllt is a Victorian church built at the turn of the 19th century by Birmingham Corporation to replace the small Nantgwyllt Church which was swallowed up by the flooding of the Elan and Claerwen Valleys to supply water for Birmingham in the early 20th Century. Nearby was the “House under the Water” made famous by author Francis Brett-Young. The poet Shelley lived at both Cwm Elan and Nantgwyllt houses, both of which were drowned. The Church has an exhibition of photographs showing the construction of the dams.
