A grand day out in Mid Wales

This a suggested drive with interesting sightseeing in Mid Wales. From Machynlleth clock tower follow the A489 eastwards for half a mile before taking a fork right on the minor road signed to Dylife and Llyn Clywedog. This road is one of the very best mountain roads in Wales. If you fancy a bit of motorized adrenaline, then about 5 miles up the road on the left is the best place we know for quad biking, Beiciau Madian. Follow the mountain road up to the tops. Looking back just before the top, there is a lovely view back along the road, which is running along a ridge, with Cader Idris in the background. At the top of the ridge, if you wish a short diversion, follow the track to the right for about a mile to the wild lake of Glaslyn – this track is fine for cars and doesn’t need a 4x4.

A couple of miles further along the road is the village of Dylife. Seemingly abandoned, apart from the Star Inn, you will see the remains of the lead mines that made this once a thriving community. There is evidence of mining in this place as far back as Roman times. A short way below the village is a largish parking area on the left. Although you cannot see it yet, you are immediately above one of Wales’ grandest waterfalls. To get a view of it climb over the fence and scramble carefully down the field to your left to the viewpoint seen on the picture above. This is also a great viewpoint of the dramatic V-shaped gorge below.

Driving on for a mile, turn right at the T junction, towards Llanidloes. Soon you approach Llyn Clywedog, a long thin reservoir with numerous arms and legs that seems to re-appear round every corner. It is worth doing a circuit of the whole lake – there are various places where the roads give wonderful viewpoints from high above the lake.

Leaving the minor road on the west side of the lake is another minor road into Hafren (River Severn) Forest. There are numerous good walks here and a couple of good waterfalls on the Severn itself. For the more adventurous, who want a good 3 hour walk, there is a circuit you can do taking in the source of the River Severn, the summit of Pumlumon, and then returning via the source of the River Wye.