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| This is the
first or last leg of the Severn Way, depending on your point
of view. It’s a virtual motorway of a path through the
forest and although most semblances of wildness have been
removed in an effort to improve accessibility that doesn’t
detract from what must be one of the most beautiful places on
the island. It’s still steep, though. |
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| Start from the
popular car park at Rhyd-y-benwch. The footpath starts in the
northwest corner and quickly winds its way down to a ford
across the river. Several major trails converge here,
including the Wye Valley Walk. Follow the Severn Way signs.
You really can’t miss it – the raised wooden causeway is
coated in fluorescent pink paint! |
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The walkway runs
out in 300m at a picnic table by a pleasing cascade. In
another 200m you are back in the sunshine/rain as the cleared
ground on the left side of the stream affords a good view of
the hills. It’s due west until you reach the meeting with
the Afon Hore where the path takes you northwest into the
forest again.
Cross the footbridge over the Severn and carry on in the
direction of the river. |
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| The valley
shortly broadens out into scrubby open country and you find
yourself alongside the Nant Tanllwyth rather than the Severn.
Fear not, the path doubles back after another footbridge and
joins the main river again near a metrological station and
concrete sluice. 200m ahead, the main path double back to the
left whilst the smaller Severn Way forks slightly to the
right. The path twists and turns and climbs gradually through
ferns and bilberry bushes, always accompanied by the babbling
of the river. |
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| When you
eventually hit a forest road you will see the small waterfall
at Rhaeadr Blaenhafren, somewhat spoilt by the gravel bridge
only yards below it. |
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| Take the small
path to its right. This is where the real climb starts. |
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| The valley walls
grow steeper and countless waterfalls and runnels keep you
company for the next 800m until you reach a footbridge. |
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| Now on the left
bank, you zigzag up the ridge toward the tree line. Cross one
more forest road and follow it to the right for 50m until you
pick up the Severn Way signs again. A short walk through the
pines brings you out onto the moors. |
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| You’ve still
got another 80m vertical to climb but the slope is fairly
gentle here. The shallow valley curves round to the left and
the mighty Severn is little more than a trickle. By the time
the ground levels off, the path is replaced with a stone
pavement that lifts you out of the boggy ground. |
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| The source is
1km from the trees and is marked with a sturdy post inscribed
in Welsh and English. |
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If you are not
too exhausted, you should make the effort to reach the cairn
at the very summit – the views to the west are well worth
the extra effort and you get a good sense that the sea is very
close.
You can return by the same path or take one of the many forest
roads back to the road. |
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