About
The Elan Valley estate is situated at the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. Surrounded by open hills, our extensive patch of Mid Wales is renowned for some of the best natural mountain biking terrain in Britain. The estate covers over 70 square miles of countryside, accounting for 1% of Wales – you can ride for hours without seeing a soul.
Sat in the mouth of the Elan Valley, the Visitor Centre serves as an excellent trailhead to the Cambrian Mountains. Our trails are complemented by a spectacular backdrop of Victorian dams and reservoirs, pristine countryside, ancient woodlands, old railways, and expansive open hills.
Novices, enthusiasts, and experts are all at home in the Elan Valley. Choose to take your time – develop skills on short, satisfying loops, or challenge yourself on epic, cross country tours of the area.
We can now also boast two brand new man-made mountain biking tracks, a short loop including a Blue and a Red graded descent – the first mountain bike specific trails to be built on the estate.
Facilities
At the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, you’ll find our Bike Hub with a Bike Hire workshop, changing rooms (coming soon) and bike wash. The Visitor Centre also has ample parking, a café, free public toilets, and a Ranger service to help plan your visit. Other free car parks and public toilets can also be found further out on the estate.
Situated near the town of Rhayader, you’ll find a choice of independent shops, pubs, and cafes, and a great mix of local accommodation which can be found here: www.rhayader.co.uk.
Clive Powell Mountain bikes in West Street have been offering a welcome to mountain bikers since the 80’s. Expert bike mechanics, bike hire, wash and shop and all-round biking good guys, Clive’s team will get you on the right track.
Rhayader is also home to the UK’s largest pump track – open all year and completely free, Pump Track Wales is also the UK’s first split sprint pump track. https://www.pumptrackwales.co.uk/
More about the Elan Valley can be found at www.elanvalley.org.uk.
Getting Here
Rhayader is in the heart of Mid Wales, the first town on the River Wye on the edge of the Cambrian Mountains. Getting here is simple, situated on a natural crossroads; by road you’ll be with us sooner than you think:
Birmingham to Rhayader: 2hrs
Manchester to Rhayader: 3hrs
London to Rhayader: 4hrs
Rhayader is on the main North/ South A470 road: 15 miles North of Builth Wells and 10 miles South of Llangurig. From the East, the A44 will lead you to Rhayader and Elan Valley. We’re only 20 miles from Nant yr Arian and halfway between Snowdonia National Park and the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Getting to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre is simple. If you are driving, from Rhayader follow the B4518 west out of the town. Then left turn for the Visitor Centre is signposted after three miles. Sat Nav users please note the postcode LD6 5HP takes you almost to the Visitor Centre … but after you turn left from the B4518 ignore any advice to cross the iron bridge over the river; instead drive over the cattle grid and the Visitor Centre is ahead of you.
If travelling North to Rhayader on the A470 your Sat Nav may try to take you through Llanwrthwl Village; this is not suitable for coaches or large vehicles as it takes you through narrow country lanes. For a more direct route head for Rhayader and turn left at the Memorial Clock.
Contact information:
Elan Valley Visitor Centre,
Elan Valley,
Rhayader,
Powys,
LD6 5HP
