Elan Valley Trail - Route 81 - A Hidden Gem on the National Cycle Network!

In this video I cycle up the Elan valley trail fro Rhayader to the Craig Dam, 9 blissful traffic fee miles away up the gorgeous Elan Valley. The route uses part of the old mid Wales Cambrian line before using the old Elan Valley railway built by the Birmingham Waterworks Corporation to allow the dams in the valley to be built. We pass the Elan valley visitor centre, the Caban Coch Dam, The Garreg Ddu dam, The Pen Y Garreg dam before finishing at the Craig Goch dam.
The Birmingham to Shrewsbury video mentioned:
• Birmingham to Shrewsbu...
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The route:
connect.garmin.com/modern/cou...

[@MichaelHenderson1948]

What a super video. I love mid-Wales, and this took me back to a trip my wife and I did in 1981, with our 8 year old son. One day, the roads were empty, because of the royal wedding, and cycling was marvellous, though it wasn't a cycle route like this. Have to enjoy these videos, and memories, now, as I am almost a full-time carer, which leaves not much time for getting out on a bike. Thank you.

[@cyclingn8]

So glad you enjoy the videos and they bring back memories. The Elan valley is such a pretty place. Thanks for watching!

[@DNWARR1]

The Elan Valley means a lot to me as my Great Grandfather was a rock blaster and blasted the rock to build the dams, they lived in the Elan Village with about 12 other workers in the same wooden hut. My Nan also lived there. I have cycled the route and love it, I am going on 77 now and intend to cycle it again this year great video.

[@cyclingn8]

Wow really interesting to hear a story of someone who worked on the dams, they are really very impressive structures. Hope you get a chance to cycle this running route again soon. Thanks for watching!

[@riproaringblues]

Lovely route, thank you. I will certainly visit the area and try the route.

[@cyclingn8]

Worth the trip, the area and route our just stunning. Thanks for watching!

[@kmtb2011]

wow never seen the dam so full, last time i was there it was almost dry!

[@cyclingn8]

Can’t imagine the reservoirs getting too dry if summer carries on like this! Thanks for watching!

[@deathlyhell3]

great video love these traffic free routes, going to do this ride tomorrow

[@cyclingn8]

Weather is looking good, enjoy. Thanks for watching!

[@grahamphillips3099]

Hey, the Welsh wasn't too bad, at least you tried :-) Nice vid, I was planning a 95km loop passing Elan village, over Garreg Ddu and onwards past Claerwen but this has convinced me to head up to Craig Goch and round, taking in the valley views and making it a nice round 100+ km was planning to stop and refuel at Penbont House but just checked and its closed, that's a real shame

[@cyclingn8]

Going to keep working on my Welsh, lots of great routes in Wales still to do so need to get it right. Can definitely recommend heading up to Craig Goch, it’s such a stunning ride. Thanks for watching!

[@jeremyhooper1309]

I just stumbled upon your channel. A relaxed informative video with lovely filming. It was certainly worth the 20 mile trip for the memory card with that weather. Thanks for sharing.

[@cyclingn8]

Glad you enjoy my video style, and the videos. Was definitely worth the trip for the memory card, absolutely stunning route and glad I was able to share. Thanks for watching!

[@mphillips24]

Nice video. I did the Lon Las Cymru route a couple of weeks back and stayed at the Elan Oaks campground. Thoroughly recommended.

[@cyclingn8]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. That campsite is on my ‘to stay’ list, it looked lovely. Thanks for watching!

[@volt8684]

Love this area on bike and motor bike. Thankyou for this

[@cyclingn8]

It’s gorgeous! A really hidden gem in my opinion. Thanks for watching!

[@rickorider]

Looks a great cycling trail! Love these traffic free trails. Beautiful views. Definitely worth a visit. Thanks for such an informative video.

[@cyclingn8]

It’s an amazing trail, maybe my new favourite. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@leighbrownlow216]

A great video! I’ve watched all your videos but this is my favourite one so far! Informative with gorgeous scenery to look at!

[@cyclingn8]

Glad you enjoy them 😀 thanks for watching!

[@damedavidfrith55]

Thanks for sharing your trip enjoyed it 🎉

[@cyclingn8]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

[@mowaj8562]

Yes definitely do a route 81 from Newton

[@cyclingn8]

It’s in my plans, should be able to get it done in the next couple of months. Thanks for watching!

[@mowaj8562]

Great, I've done Newton to Raydar to elan valley to Aberystwyth on my motorbike many times but would be nice to see cycle route as I plan to do some cycling. Great videos as always

[@cyclingn8]

Thank you!

[@Trekfrsh-sh7yo]

Top work great scenery and footage was informative also 👍🏽

[@cyclingn8]

The scenery is amazing, such a beautiful place. Thanks for watching!

[@kevinholliday3931]

Great video and route and hope to do it next week. Can someone please explain how I import the Garmin route link into my Garmin 1000?!?

[@cyclingn8]

It really is lovely, such beautiful scenery. I use an old garmin that I have to plug into the computer and then use the app. Thanks for watching!

[@garymartin557]

Just subscribed. Just wondering if there is a navigation app for the National Cycle Network.

[@cyclingn8]

Thanks for the sub. I don’t know if there is an app but I use the sustrans website a lot which has a great map of all NCN route. Thanks for watching!

[@garymartin557]

@@cyclingn8 many thanks for your reply

[@YDysgwrAraf]

Your Welsh pronunciation needs a bit of work, mate. You took a slightly wrong turn before Pen y Garreg - you should have taken the slightly less steep middle path.

[@cyclingn8]

Apologies for my dismal Welsh pronunciation, I’m going to be working on it. I did notice the trail continued up that middle path but route 81 went up the steeper path I took. I think the middle path would be better, as you say less steep and less climbing. I used it on the way back down 😀 thanks for watching!

[@welshpaddler]

Good video, but PLEASE Google Welsh pronunciation it's not difficult and would show your appreciation of the language.

[@cyclingn8]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Apologies for my dismal Welsh pronunciation, you are not the first to point this out to me, I will try harder in future. Thanks for watching!