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Builth Wells to Rhayader
Walks:
Grade: Moderate Length: 7 miles
Grade:Moderate Length: 9 Miles
Description of this stretch of the river:
This stretch of the Wye is characterised by tensions between the wild and the ‘civilised’. The wildness of the peaks above Elan were tamed ( to some extent) by the Corporation of Birmingham when their valleys were flooded. The original wildness of red kites, indigenous raptors, was crushed by gamekeepers and farmers. They have come back in great numbers with a very successful conservation programme – and provide a tourist spectacle at various feeding stations. The Wye itself tumbles through rocks and forests, but not far west is the faded gentility of Llandrindod Wells – a venue for many a bureacratic meeting involving North and South Wales. A stretch of contrasts, and a feeling that the wildness is waiting not far below the surface for man to slacken his grip.
Useful Links:
Two walks, one around Crugyn Ci, Esgair Perfedd and Penygarreg Reservoir, and the other describing a circuit around Gorllwyn are available from the Walking Britain Site.
The long distance Wye Valley Walk provides some information about walking along the Builth Wells to Rhayader stretch.
