This 3 mile walk beginning from St Mark's Church (Grid Ref: SN 991 644), follows forest and farm tracks and crosses the River Wye to reach Llanwrthwl.
Things To Do
Ysfa to Llanwrthwl Walk
family-friendly
parking-at-start-point
pets-welcome
rainy-day-activity
suitable-for-walking
Route Name: Gwastedyn Church Trail - Section 5
Length of Route: 3
Start Location: St. Mark's Church
Route Map: Ysfa to Llanwrthwl.pdf
St Mark’s Church, Ysfa
A Victorian Church built of stone with brick interior between 1870 and 1871. Its main claim to fame is that the first stone was laid by Revd Kilvert, the diarist, in 1871 and his diaries describe the opening which was somewhat lively due to children playing in the lime and the wind blowing it on to the gathering, smarting their eyes. There was also something of a commotion in the tent resulting in it being torn. There is a beautiful Victorian model of the Church inside. The church is said to have been built by the local gentry for worship by their servants.
Eglwys Sant Mark, Ysfa
Eglwys Fictoraidd a adeiladwyd rhwng 1870 a 1871. Mae’r eglwys wedi’i hadeiladu o gerrig gyda briciau ar y tu mewn. Mae’r eglwys yn enwog oherwydd gosodwyd y garreg gyntaf gan y Parch Kilvert, y dyddiadurwr, ym 1871. Mae ei ddyddiaduron yn disgrifio’r agoriad a oedd braidd yn fywiog oherwydd i’r plant chwarae yn y calch a chwythodd y gwynt y calch ar y dyrfa gan losgi eu llygaid. Cafwyd hefyd rhywfaint o gynnwrf yn y babell a chafwyd ei rhwygo yn ystod y digwyddiad. Mae model Fictoraidd hardd o’r Eglwys y tu mewn. Dywedir bod yr eglwys wedi cael ei hadeiladu gan y bonedd lleol fel lle addoli ar gyfer eu gweision a’u morwynion.
Distance from town centre: 5
Exploring Mid Wales
rainy-day-activity
suitable-for-cycling
suitable-for-moutain-biking
suitable-for-walking
Mid Wales
Exploring Mid Wales - bespoke guided tours for the curious mind.
Entry Cost: From £19 per head
Contact: Rob Rees
Tel: 07914 265654
We offer bespoke guided tours, walks and cycle rides in the Mid Wales area. If you would like to make the most of your stay then allow us to show you some of the many hidden gems of the area. We are keen walkers and mountain bikers. We also offer specialist historical, geographical and literary tours.
Distance from town centre: 1
Elan Valley Visitor Centre
family-friendly
parking-at-start-point
parking-on-site
pets-welcome
rainy-day-activity
suitable-for-cycling
suitable-for-moutain-biking
suitable-for-walking
wheelchair-accessible
Elan Valley Visitors Centre, Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5HP
The Elan Valley Visitor Centre is operated by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and is set in a fantastic location against a spectacular backdrop of a Victorian stone dam.
It is the perfect starting point for your visit to the area. There's something for everyone; Information Desk; Shop; Cafe; Easy disabled access; Toilets; Large car park and coach parking area; Children's play area; Large picnic area; Easy parking; Education and interactive learning play an important role in the design of our centre and a Free exhibition.
Entrance to the Visitor Centre is free, and the £2 parking charge covers you for the whole of the Estate's car parks, all day.
Season tickets for car parking are also available, please ask at the Information Desk. They cost £15 and last for 12 months.
Opening Times: 10.00am - 4.00pm (except Christmas day)
Entry Cost: £2 Parking fee
Contact: Elan Rangers
Tel: 01597 810880
Email: elanrangers@dwrcymru.com
A visit to Elan Valley never fails to delight and inspire. We are custodians of a beautiful area stretching 72 square miles with historic landscapes and thriving wildlife. The dams and reservoirs, the working legacy of remarkable Victorian engineering, add to the captivating and ever changing scenery. You can stroll, picnic or hike; cycle or mountain bike; bird watch, fish or safari!
We operate as 'not-for-profit' so the team who work here can concentrate on safeguarding this special place and ensuring you make the most of your visit. As we say in these parts, Croeso! We look forward to welcoming you to Elan Valley.
Distance from town centre: 3
Waun Capel Park
family-friendly
parking-at-start-point
pets-welcome
suitable-for-walking
wheelchair-accessible
Children’s play area, bowling green, multi-use games area including basketball, tennis and floodlit five-a-side football pitch. Situated next to the River Wye providing an excellent picnic spot and play area.
This is Rhayader’s premier play facility. It is located in the town’s Waun Capel Park that lies next to the River Wye. As well as the play area the park also includes a kick about grassed area that lies adjacent to the play area,tennis courts, bowling green, basket ball court and 5 a side football pitch.There is also a camping and a touring/static caravan park lying just to the north of the Waun Capel Park and the Park is linked to the Wye Valley Walk which runs through the site.
Access to the site is by foot only and is only accessible to the disabled visitor via the Wye Valley Walk which enters the site via a riverside footpath. Other pedestrian access can be gained from the town, but this is via steeply sloping pathways that lead down into the park.
The items of play on site include; Multiple sets of swings, a see-saw- various springies, a slide, a bucket spinner, climbing frame and a multi play item. There are also seats and a picnic table available for use.
Nantmel to Ysfa Walk
family-friendly
parking-at-start-point
pets-welcome
rainy-day-activity
suitable-for-walking
A fairly level 4 mile walk beginning from St Cynllo's Church at Nantmel (Grid ref: SN 034 664), past Llyn Gwyn Lake to St Mark's Church at Ysfa.
Route Name: Gwastedyn Church Trail - Section 4
Length of Route: 4
Walking Difficulty: Easy
Start Location: Nantmel Church
Route Map: Nantmel to Ysfa.pdf
St Cynllo’s Church, Nantmel
A Georgian Church rebuilt in 1792 on an ancient site in a circular enclosure and restored in 1881. The lower part of the tower is though to be 13th C. The lytchgate is 18th C. Sundial dated 1773. It was the main church of the area for some enturies and has six bells. The list of incumbents starts in 1349. The font having been thought to be from the Cistercian Monastery, Abbey Cwm Hir, which lies to the north of the Church has been identified as being made out of a Jacobean chimney pot. The dedication of the Church is to St Cynllo circa 5th C. It is said of this saint that wherever his knelt or his horse trod the marks remained permanently in the ground. The hills behind the church contain many ancient monuments, standing stones and the site of a prehistoric village. The walk down from Camlo Hill to the Church provides some of the most stunning long distance views of the Trail.
Eglwys Sant Cynllo, Nantmel
Eglwys Sioraidd a ailadeiladwyd ym 1792 ar safle hynafol mewn tir caeedig ar ffurf cylch ac a adferwyd ym 1881. Credir bod rhan isaf y tŵr yn perthyn i’r drydedd ganrif ar ddeg. Mae porth y fynwent yn perthyn i’r ddeunawfed ganrif ac mae’r dyddiad 1773 ar y deial haul. Hon oedd prif eglwys yr ardal am rai canrifoedd ac mae ganddi chwech o glychau. Mae’r rhestr o ddeiliaid swyddi yn yr eglwys yn dechrau ym 1349. Nodwyd y bedyddfaen fel un a wnaed o gorn simnai Jacobeaidd. Cyflwynwyd yr Eglwys i Sant Cynllo tua’r 5ed ganrif. Dywedir am y sant hwn pryd bynnag y byddai’n penlinio neu lle bynnag yr oedd ei geffyl yn cerdded fod y marciau yn aros yn barhaol yn y ddaear. Mae’r mynyddoedd y tu ôl i’r eglwys yn cynnwys llawer o henebion, meini hirion a safle pentref cyn-hanesyddol. Wrth gerdded i lawr o Fryn Camlo at yr Eglwys gellir gweld rhai o’r golygfeydd pell gorau o’r Llwybr.
Distance from town centre: 5