Section 1

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Starting at Pont Rhydgaled (Car park & X47 Bus stop if requested) cross the road into the 'Sweet Lamb Estate' following the same route as the 'Wye View Trail.' From the viewing point drop down to the Wye. This is through some deep acid grass a signature in parts to this wild Wye hike. Once at the Wye, which will take you about 10-12 minutes from the Wye view point head straight up and follow the Wye. 

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Section 2

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From the bend in the river you quickly head into the Wye gully and Cwm, which starts to feel remoter from the outset. You'll hit patches of bog and by this time you'll be glad we didn't suggest the route in from the concrete water gauging system. We've done it and we reckon that dropping down from the view point is far less hassle and possibly quicker. You can take the left hand sloping bank up or the right. Both are good.

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Section 3

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This part of Plynlimon or Pumlumon (meaning 5 peaks in Welsh) was, as with Nant Lago, once mined and there are shafts to look out for. In the main though it's a rocky landscape as you head upwards with peat hags in evidence to. These are prime carbon storage systems the kind the plynlimon project are seeking to restore. Near the top choose the furthest away right hand gully. With a steep ascent this will take you to the source, which is no bigger than a bowler hat.

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Section 4

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There are numerous routes back. You could head for the summit of Plynlimon by heading South along the plateau passed 'Llyn Llygad' on your right but if you're seeking a circular without that then we recommend you head South or left along the fence line just above the source. Check the map - this will take you over 'Pen Lluest Y Carn' all the way to a track. Follow the track through open access land and skirt 'Cripiau Eisteddfa Gurig' East for 2KM until you come to a marked right of way/trail , which leads down to the base of 'Esgair Y Maen' where 'Nant Colwyn' has gathered some volume. At the track here head right or East to the ford across the Wye. From here it's a turn right following the Wye for 'Pont Rhydgaled' on the track you came in on.

 

Spec N Stats

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Start: Pont Rhydgaled    Climbing: 384 Meters    Distance: 9.5 Mile    Time: 4.5 Hours  Walking Grade: 4 

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Summary

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The Wye gully is fairly easy to get to with well laid out tracks all the way until you have to drop down from the view point (see Wye View Trail). The whole gully up is wild, undulating, boggy and rocky and as you might expect a water world. It is also characterized by sheep farming and pheasant shoots and by the Rally GB tracks once again on your return. However, the Wye source and Plynlimon reveals itself to be remote despite all of this as it offers up views and open space akin to vast swathes of moor. We've said 5 hours from 'Pont Rhydgaled' as we took into account the difficult terrain off piste. All in all a great afternoon or morning out. 

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Some Links

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

Plynlimon Project. Click. A project to restore Plynlimon.

Cambrian Mountains Society. Click. All things Cambrian Mountains.

Hydrological Study. Click. Plynlimon water catchment.

Plynlimon Led Mine. Click. Industrial history.