Severn Way: the source to Llanidloes
Route facts
Waterways:
River Severn »
Distance: 25 km / 16 miles
Duration: Six hours
Difficulty: Energetic
Starts at: Rhyd-y-benwch car park, Plynlimon
Ends at: Llanidloes
Discover the source of the River Severn with this walk in the Welsh hills.
This walk penetrates deep into the heart of Hafren Forest, source of the River Severn. Situated between Llanidloes, Llanguring and Aberystwyth, the forest shows Wild Wales at its best.
To undertake a walk that has its starting point high in the watery wastelands of Plynlimon means adding to your journey before you even begin, because of the need to first trek up to the source of the Severn in order to follow the river downstream.
The nearest point to the source which is accessible by road is the picnic area and car park at Rhyd-y-benwch in Hafren Forest - where you'll also find an excellent board showing all the forest rails on offer. Taxis from Llanidloes to Rhyd-y-benwch are inexpensive, and provide the fastest way of reaching the picnic area, though a Royal Mail post bus also operates.
Getting there
Parking: Parking is available in Llanidloes or at the Rhyd-y-benwch car park.
Public transport: A Royal Mail postbus service runs between Llanidloes and Rhyd-y-benwch (Tel: 01938 552539).
Waypoints
1. Rhyd-y-benwch Picnic Area
From Rhyd-y-benwch turn down a path that leads instantly to the Severn, a more slender version of what will be encountered later in the journey. Pass a ford and go forward onto a boardwalk, which can be very slippery after rain. The attractive waterfall at the end of the boardwalk was used by generations of shepherds for washing their sheep and is worthy of attention before continuing on a waymarked route (blue and white-banded posts) through trees and on past a flume station to meet a broad stony track.
2. Confluence of Afon Hafren (River Severn) and Afon Hore
At its confluence with the Afon Hore, the Severn changes direction with a path skirting trees to the first bridge-crossing of the river. Cross the bridge and turn right, following the waymarked Severn Way for some two miles along a new path running closely along the banks of the Severn. On reaching the top forest track, turn right and then left, walking through a plantation alongside the Severn before emerging, at a stile, onto the bleak open hillside of Plynlimon. The highest point of this upland expanse (Pen Pumlumon Fawr, 752m/2,467ft) is still some distance away, but the source of the Severn is much closer, and you are guided to it by an intermittent line of white topped posts. Only near the very source is the going less than straightforward and even here the worst of the peaty hollows can be avoided by simple circumnavigation.
3. Source of the Severn
The official source - a small reedy pool - is marked by two large posts. You will now retrace your steps back down the river. Leave the source of the River Severn, above which red kite and peregrine frequently patrol, by heading back towards Hafren Forest, following a line of whitetopped posts through a brief expanse of blanket bog. Soon, on the north-eastern side of the infant Severn, you are on a grassy path which descends to a stile at the upper boundary of Hafren Forest. The path goes into the trees, continuing for a short distance to a wide forest trail. Turn right here, crossing the Severn for the first time. Already it is an ebullient stream muscling its way through plantations of pine and spruce. Turn left and follow a newly developed path that takes the Severn Way along the banks of the river descending through the forest for about 2 miles. Eventually, a footbridge takes you back onto the left bank.
4. Confluence of Afon Hafren (River Severn) and Afon Hore
Shortly after the river bends to the left, at its confluence with the Afon Hore, you join a broad track. When the track forks, branch right. Stay beside the Severn to pass another flume station, and continue with the river. A short way on, just below some small cascades, you join the Hafren boardwalk, which is very slippery when wet. As you approach Rhyd-y-benwch and pass a ford, branch right on a riverside gravel path.
5. Rhyd-y-benwch Footbridge
Pass a footbridge and immediately climb left to the edge of a field. Turn right to follow the field edge, soon reaching a picnic area overlooking the river. Continue along the path, which takes you onto another slippery boardwalk and then into forest. After leaving the trees, cross a bridge to the right bank, and follow a broad track until you reach a bridge at the waterfall known as Severn-Break-its-Neck.
6. Severn-Break-its-Neck Waterfall
Cross the bridge and go up the bank, turning right to reach the valley road. As you emerge from the forest so the valley opens up in front of you, a delightful picture of rolling green hillsides, patterned by hedgerows, that accompanies you down the road to Neuadd (Old Hall). Whenever the route closely follows the river, keep an eye open too for dippers and grey wagtails, which are perfectly suited to this watery habitat.
7. Neuadd
Follow the road past Neuadd (where there is a small post office, but with limited opening hours) down to a junction. Turn right here and descend to cross the Severn, then immediately turn left on a lane. Pass the Old Chapel at Glanhafren. After a cattle grid, keep left, following a quiet back lane for almost 4km (2 miles) to a T-junction. Turn left and cross the Severn again at Felindre Bridge.
8. Felindre Bridge
At the next road turn right and walk towards Llanidloes. Just as you reach the edge of town turn right over Short Bridge then take the first turning on the left into Penygraig Street.
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