Road beside the Elan Valley reservoir with a grand Victorian dam
Mid Wales Easy

Elan Valley & the Reservoirs

Smooth, sweeping lakeside roads winding past a chain of majestic Victorian dams. If you want scenery without the stress, this peaceful mid-Wales loop is hard to beat.

Indicative route line — tap the map to zoom and pan.

The ride

Starting from the friendly market town of Rhayader, a short blast west drops you into the Elan Valley — a string of six reservoirs built to supply Birmingham with water, now one of the most beautiful and tranquil corners of Wales. The road hugs the water’s edge, flowing gently from dam to dam beneath forested slopes, with the elegant stonework of the Caban Coch, Garreg-ddu, Pen y Garreg and Craig Goch dams as your backdrop.

It’s an easy, low-stress ride — the appeal is the setting rather than the pace. For a longer day, continue on the wild mountain road towards Cwmystwyth and Devil’s Bridge.

Highlights

  • Four spectacular Victorian dams, several with viewing points
  • The Elan Valley Visitor Centre — cafe, toilets, parking and a dark-sky discovery point
  • Red kites wheeling overhead (nearby Gigrin Farm has famous feeding sessions)
  • An optional extension over the wild mountain road to Devil’s Bridge

Fuel & food

Fuel and cafes in Rhayader; the Elan Valley Visitor Centre has a good cafe and is the natural half-way stop. Fill up before the mountain-road extension, which is remote.

Best time to ride

Beautiful year-round, but spring and autumn bring the best light on the water. The valley roads are narrow in places and popular with cyclists and walkers, so keep your pace relaxed.

Combine with the Black Mountain Pass to the south for a big mid-Wales day. See all our Welsh routes.