Detailed Route Description

Below is a description of the trail, broken down into detailed sections:

Arriving in Knighton

Knighton is easily accessible by road and rail with the Heart of Wales line running through the town linking Shrewsbury with Swansea. The town’s Welsh name of Tref-y-Clawdd means ‘Town of the Dyke’ referring to it’s position right on Offa’s Dyke, the 8th century built border between Wales and England. The town, today a quaint settlement with a central clock tower, was attacked by Glyndwr in the early years of his campaign.

Knighton to Felindre—17 miles

The official start of Glyndwr’s Way is the clock tower. Moving out of town the walking on the first day is relatively easy going through farmland with an initial steady ascent up Garth Hill (346m). The views from the top are a lovely introduction to what is to come. Moving along you come down into Llangunllo situated in a sheltered valley with a 13th century church. The trail continues across open moorland eventually merging into farmland as you near Felindre. Careful scanning of the skies may be  rewarded with views of buzzard.

Felindre to Abbeycwmhir—17 miles

The trail rises out of Felindre passing an ancient a mound of earth with a keep known as a ‘motte’ and continues through farmland to join a short section of road. The trail then passes Castell –y-Blaidd or ‘Wolf’s Castle’, a Norman earth ringwork that stands high on the hills. The trail moves on to Llanbadarn Fynydd and up to moorland with a ridge walk affording spectacular views into the surrounding valleys.  The walk continues down to the valley of Bachell Brook and into Abbeycwmhir. This hamlet is famed for the ruins of it’s 12th century Cistercian Abbey

Abbeycwmhir to Llanidloes—16 miles

Coming out of Abbeycwmhir the trail climbs through forestry land bringing you out on a route toward the ridge of Upper Esgair Hill. From here the undulating walk takes you to Blaentrinant which affords awe inspiring views of the mountain peak of Cader Idris (893m) in neighbouring Snowdonia. Some of the most beautiful countryside of the Glyndwr’s Way follows, the trail meandering down to the town of Llanidloes, the heart of the medieval kingdom of Arwystli. The first town on the River Severn, it boasts a 14th century church.

Llanidloes to Dylife—13 miles

If you can force yourself to leave beautiful Llanidloes you will cross the River Severn and follow the trail as it joins the Severn Way Path through mixed forest. In season you may note many local bird species including redstart. The trail descends into the Clywedog Valley following a dam wall  down to the shores of Clywedog reservoir. In the forests that follow many local bird species abound and in the skies above you will have the chance to view red kites from the relict native Welsh population. Moving on through Hafren forest the trail climbs to moorland following a Roman track along to the small settlement of Dylife.

Dylife to Machynlleth—14 miles

Leaving the old mining village the trail continues across windswept moorland passing Afon Clywedog, a valley carved by glaciers in the last Ice age. Buzzards may be see circling above. Moving through woodland the trail passes the azure waters of Glaslyn, which translates as ‘blue lake’, and you are provided with the wonderful spectacle of Foel Fadian Hill (564m). A demanding ascent brings you to the highest point of the trail which has views all the way to Cardigan Bay in the west. The trail continues down through woodland to the town of Machynlleth which you enter via the ‘Roman Steps’, a fitting way to finish the section. Machynlleth is a vibrant town steeped in history and it was here that Owain Glyndwr was crowned Prince of Wales and established parliament in 1404. Today it is the home of the ‘Centre for Alternative Technology’ dedicated to sustainable development in the modern world.

Machynlleth to Llanbrynmair —13.5 miles

Starting at the Owain Glyndwr centre in the town, the trail commences with a 3 mile minor road section to Abercegir. From here the route enters moorland once again affording further views of Cader Idris. The trail reaches Cemmaes road and following a relatively steep climb the trail makes it’s way through forest and beautiful  valleys toward Llanbrynmair.

Llanbrynmair to Llanwddyn—15.5 miles

The trail travels north along a new section which climbs up a steep valley to provide lovely views at the summit. Continuing through a forest the trail climbs the edge of Pen Coed (360m) and leads on across open moorland. You then enter the Dynant forestry plantation to eventually emerge to views of impressive Lake Vyrynwy  and it’s 33 ached dam ahead. An evening on the shores of the lake is an experience few forget.

Llanwddyn to Pontrobert—12.5 miles

Leaving the shores of the lake the trail winds along through the forest tracks and gentle farmland shadowing the course of the River Vyrnwy into the pleasant and tranquil village of Pontrobert.  The wildlife viewing potential on this section is very good with the chance to see pied flycatcher in season and kingfishers feeding in the river.

Pontrobert to Welshpool—14.5 miles

Once again the trail makes it’s way through farmland and woodland passing the pleasant village of Melford to climb sedately up Broniarth Hill. The trail then skirts Llyn Du or ‘’black lake’ before farmland walking takes you down to the end of the Glyndwr’s Way at Welshpool, a market town nestling into the upper reaches of the picturesque Severn Valley.  Evolving from the historical name ‘Pool’ the Welsh princes kept Pool as their stronghold and is a fitting end point to the Glyndwr’s Way. The 13th century Powis Castle is a magnificent and impressive reminder to the border exploits of both the Welsh and English forces as they each  fought for control.

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