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Home> Walks> Wales> Powys> Around the Vale of Ewyas

Around the Vale of Ewyas

Recommended by
Our view
"Once you're up, you're staying up, as you trek around the head of the wonderful Ewyas Valley."
Walk directions

Walk towards the bridge, but before you cross it, bear left up a narrow lane, signposted to The Grange Pony Trekking Centre. Follow this along the side of the stream and past a footpath on the left, marked by a stone archway. Continue to a drive on the left, again leading to the trekking centre, and follow this up to a cluster of barns.

Keep right here and continue uphill to a large house on the right, with a gate blocking your progress ahead. Bear around to the left and climb on a loose rocky track that leads up to another gate. Pass through this and follow a rough, eroded track as it zig-zags up on to easier ground. Cross the source of a small stream, and continue to the foot of a steep zig-zag track that climbs steeply up the escarpment.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Easy-to-follow tracks, steep slopes, open moorland
  Landscape  - Classic U-shaped valleys, broad heather-strewn moorland
  Dog friendliness  - Great for dogs but care required near livestock
  Parking  - Narrow pull-in at southern edge of village, close to bridge
  Toilets en route  - None on route
Walks in Powys Dog-friendly walks in Powys
About the walk
The steep clamber up out of Capel-y-ffin will definitely have you trying to catch your breath, but don’t be put off. Once you’ve made the giant cairn that marks the top, the rest is child’s play and the views, as you cruise comfortably along the giant whaleback that makes up the Ffawyddog ridge,...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
The largest unitary authority in Wales, Powys covers an area of approximately 2,000 square miles. Much of that is mountainous because it actually has the lowest population density of all the Welsh counties.
Explore Powys
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
The Old Black Lion Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"The Black Lion's friendly team have a genuine regard for guest enjoyment..."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Holiday Park
Poston Mill Park
★★★★★
awardaward
"Peaceful touring park near Hay-on Wye offers stunning Herefordshire views...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Shop onsite
Caravan & Camping
Anchorage Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Family park with great views and touring opportunities...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Nearby places to stay
The Old Black Lion Inn
This fine old coaching inn, with a history stretching back several centuries, has a wealth of charm and character. It was occupied by Oliver Cromwell during the siege of Hay Castle. Pri...
★★★★    Rating
Poston Mill Park
Poston Mill Park is west of Herefordshire under the foothills of the Black Mountain in the Golden Valley. Hard-standing pitches are available all year round, suitable for caravans, moto...
★★★★★    Rating
Anchorage Caravan Park
Anchorage Caravan Park is a well-maintained site with a choice of south-facing, sloping grass pitches and superb views of the Black Mountains, or a more sheltered lower area with a numb...
★★★★    Rating
Lakeside Caravan Park
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and set close to Llangorse Lake, with mooring and launching facilities, Lakeside Caravan Park is a must-do holiday destination for lovers of outdoor ...
★★★★    Rating
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
Within a few minutes' walk of the river and town centre with its excellent shopping and eating choices, is this all-level park. It is surrounded by mature hedges and trees to create pri...
★★★★    Rating
Heart of the Wye
The five peaceful yurts at Heart of the Wye have their own character and style and come with BBQ, fire pit, decking, seating, dining canopy, and a valley view. There’s also an on-site r...
Quality Assessed
Monnington House
Monnington House is an Idyllic farmhouse situated on The Wye Valley Walk. It' 9 large bedrooms and 9 bathrooms make it perfect for celebrations and group gatherings. The dining area sea...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
L'école des Amis
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
4hrs
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
9 miles (14.5kms)

Ascent:
1560ft (475m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Powys
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
Find more walks in Powys

Around the Vale of Ewyas

Recommended by
Our view
"Once you're up, you're staying up, as you trek around the head of the wonderful Ewyas Valley."
Walk details
4hrs
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
9 miles (14.5kms)
Ascent:
1560ft (475m)
Walk directions

Walk towards the bridge, but before you cross it, bear left up a narrow lane, signposted to The Grange Pony Trekking Centre. Follow this along the side of the stream and past a footpath on the left, marked by a stone archway. Continue to a drive on the left, again leading to the trekking centre, and follow this up to a cluster of barns.
1 of 6

Keep right here and continue uphill to a large house on the right, with a gate blocking your progress ahead. Bear around to the left and climb on a loose rocky track that leads up to another gate. Pass through this and follow a rough, eroded track as it zig-zags up on to easier ground. Cross the source of a small stream, and continue to the foot of a steep zig-zag track that climbs steeply up the escarpment.
2 of 6

Follow this, bearing both right and left and then, as the gradient eases, continue ahead on a broad and often boggy track. Take this past a few small cairns to a large one that sits on top of the rounded ridge. Turn right and follow the track easily over Twyn Talycefn to the trig point on Pen Rhos Dirion. (The summit can be avoided by a clear path that traverses right before the final climb.) Turn right and drop steeply down through the heather into a broad saddle.
3 of 6

Keep straight ahead over the flat section and then climb steeply up on to Twmpa. Turn right here and then, for maximum effect, bear left on to a narrower track that follows the line of the eastfacing escarpment. Stay with this track until the ridge narrows and drops steeply away.
4 of 6

Descend directly to a large square cairn, then keep ahead to continue down a steep spur and as it becomes too steep to continue, zig-zag left then right, to cut a steep line through the bracken to a junction with a broad contouring bridleway. Keep straight ahead to cross this and drop down to pick up a narrow stony track that runs along the side of a wood.
5 of 6

After the wood, ignore a grassy path that crosses obliquely. Shortly after, turn left almost back on yourself to follow this down to a stile and keep straight ahead to pass between two houses. When you reach the drive, keep straight ahead to cross a stile and continue in the same direction to cross another stile in the bottom corner. Turn right to follow the lane to return to your car.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Easy-to-follow tracks, steep slopes, open moorland
  Landscape - Classic U-shaped valleys, broad heather-strewn moorland
  Dog friendliness - Great for dogs but care required near livestock
  Parking - Narrow pull-in at southern edge of village, close to bridge
  Toilets en route - None on route
Walks in Powys Dog-friendly walks in Powys
About the walk
The steep clamber up out of Capel-y-ffin will definitely have you trying to catch your breath, but don’t be put off. Once you’ve made the giant cairn that marks the top, the rest is child’s play and the views, as you cruise comfortably along the giant whaleback that makes up the Ffawyddog ridge,...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Powys
The largest unitary authority in Wales, Powys covers an area of approximately 2,000 square miles. Much of that is mountainous because it actually has the lowest population density of all the Welsh counties.
Explore Powys

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Inn
The Old Black Lion Inn
★★★★
awardaward
"The Black Lion's friendly team have a genuine regard for guest enjoyment..."
  • Rooms 10
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
  • Wifi
Holiday Park
Poston Mill Park
★★★★★
awardaward
"Peaceful touring park near Hay-on Wye offers stunning Herefordshire views...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Shop onsite
Caravan & Camping
Anchorage Caravan Park
★★★★
award
"Family park with great views and touring opportunities...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Nearby places to stay
The Old Black Lion Inn
This fine old coaching inn, with a history stretching back several centuries, has a wealth of charm and character. It was occupied by Oliver Cromwell during the siege of Hay Castle. Pri...
★★★★    Rating
Poston Mill Park
Poston Mill Park is west of Herefordshire under the foothills of the Black Mountain in the Golden Valley. Hard-standing pitches are available all year round, suitable for caravans, moto...
★★★★★    Rating
Anchorage Caravan Park
Anchorage Caravan Park is a well-maintained site with a choice of south-facing, sloping grass pitches and superb views of the Black Mountains, or a more sheltered lower area with a numb...
★★★★    Rating
Lakeside Caravan Park
Surrounded by spectacular mountains and set close to Llangorse Lake, with mooring and launching facilities, Lakeside Caravan Park is a must-do holiday destination for lovers of outdoor ...
★★★★    Rating
The Bear
The Bear is a favourite with locals as well as visitors; the character and friendliness of this 15th-century coaching inn are renowned. Bedrooms come in a variety of sizes and include s...
★★★★    Rating
Riverside Caravan & Camping Park
Within a few minutes' walk of the river and town centre with its excellent shopping and eating choices, is this all-level park. It is surrounded by mature hedges and trees to create pri...
★★★★    Rating
Heart of the Wye
The five peaceful yurts at Heart of the Wye have their own character and style and come with BBQ, fire pit, decking, seating, dining canopy, and a valley view. There’s also an on-site r...
Quality Assessed
Monnington House
Monnington House is an Idyllic farmhouse situated on The Wye Valley Walk. It' 9 large bedrooms and 9 bathrooms make it perfect for celebrations and group gatherings. The dining area sea...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Old Black Lion Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Old Black Lion
The Bear
The Walnut Tree Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Angel Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Three Horseshoes Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Restaurant 1861
   AA Rosette Award
L'école des Amis
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby