A circuit of the hills of the upper Wye Valley between the Pumlumon range and the Elan Valley, taking in a total of nine new 500m tops.
On the south west side of the Wye Valley, a line of hills stretches from Moelfryn near Rhayader to Llechwedd Llwyd above the confluence of the Wye and the Afon Tarrenig. This trip traverses most of the chain and crosses to the north eastern side of the Wye to visit the two hills bordering the Hafren Forest. The outward leg follows line of the Wye Valley Walk as it traverses the hill country south of Llangurig to Dernol and the return uses forest trails and the path along the Afon Bidno valley.
The route planning technique of linking new little known tops has been satisfying, often producing fine walking in solitude and a few real gems, but it must be said that this route was less successful. Every backpack is enjoyable and it's always great to be in the hills walking and pitching the tent, but in this case the rewards were pretty thin relative to the effort required and occasional cursing involved. There are good general views from the high ground over this part of Wales but no intrinsically memorable highlights among these summits, although a few of them will linger in the mind for their oddity value if nothing else. I was quite nonplussed by the area on the east side of Pumlumon near the source of the Wye, little did I suspect such land usage in these hills from our previous walks among the high tops further north.
Link:-
Full report & photos
