Walking Route

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Let’s get started on one of the most inspiring hikes on the borders of England and Wales amid the Black Mountains.

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The car park is a neat, compact affair off the main Longtown to Hay-On-Wye Road. To get there, turn off the A438 at Hay or off the A465 at Pandy. The best bus would be the T14 that drops you off at Hay, otherwise it’s too long a walk from Abergavenny. The only other option would be to multi-day walk it, which we have done. Recommended! See video here.

The ascent from the car park is steep. Go steady, for this is where the elevation gain is. There’s no map reading here; it’s just straight-up admiring the views as you do. Keep going for a little under 1.5 miles and you’ll reach the trig point. You can, of course, chill either side of the ridge – it’s up to you.

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 The Trig & Way Back 

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From the trig point, stay on the path for just under 1 mile/1.5 Km and turn south, facing the Olchon valley. You’re stepping off the route to the Hay Bluff at this point. Pick up the trail to the left of the valley. Here you are at the headwaters of the Olchon Brook. The brook begins to emerge after about 300 meters from your turning point. It will accompany you for about another 300 metres, at which point you veer away from it.

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Keep on the trail for another 1 mile, making sure to step well because initially, it is rock-strewn. This especially applies in wet, foggy conditions. Enjoy the walk in the valley – with the slopes towering on either side of you, it is the antithesis of peace.

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After another mile, you’re on the road/back lane. Look out for the old farms and outbuildings built here probably 150-200 years ago. You get a sense of the valley's past. After just over 1 mile, you’ll come to the left turn to the car park. Walk on up – you’re homeward bound.​

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Spec N Stats

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Start: Nant Y Moch    Climbing: 402 Meters    Distance: 6.5 Mile    Time: 2.5 Hours Walking Grade: 4 

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Summary

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Up until Llyn Lygard getting to the summit of Plynlimon and the Wye source from here is relatively easy. However, it's character changes at the Corrie as it becomes, for a brief time, a mountain challenge or a steep walk up. With the mighty views its invigorating and thrills you to the core. Like navigating to the Wye source via the gully route on the other side of the mountain it has a wild feel to it, which Plynlimon tends to invoke. In conclusion the Jones trail up to Plynlimon and the Wye source is for those who are fitter and more prepared to go off piste again but is full of great vistas and vibes.  

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Some Links

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River Wye. Click. Britains 5th longest river and most uninterrupted. 

Plynlimon Project. Click. A project to restore Plynlimon.

Cambrian Mountains Society. Click. All things Cambrian Mountains.

Hydrological Study. Click. Plynlimon water catchment.

Plynlimon Lead Mine. Click. Industrial history.