Itinerary Planner

Elan Valley Autumn Colours Drive | Reservoirs, Red Kites and Golden Woods

A half-day or full-day drive through the Elan Valley near Rhayader in Powys, at its best from mid October into early November when the oak and birch woods turn gold and the bracken on the hills goes rust red. The route is under 25 miles in all, on quiet roads, with plenty of places to stop.

Morning: Rhayader and the lower dams

Start in Rhayader and take the B4518 west towards the Elan Valley. Your first stop is Cwm Elan, the Elan Valley Visitor Centre below the Caban Coch dam, for maps, toilets and a coffee in the cafe. The riverside path from the centre is a short, level walk under the trees to the foot of the dam. After heavy rain, the overflow turns into a wall of white water.

Late morning: up the valley to Craig Goch

Drive on past Garreg Ddu and Pen y Garreg to Craig Goch, the highest dam in the chain, with its green domed tower. The road runs close to the water and there are car parks at each reservoir. The Elan Valley Estate covers more than 72 square miles of reservoirs, woods and moorland, and in autumn the hillsides turn copper. Keep an eye out for red kites overhead.

Afternoon: red kite feeding at Gigrin Farm

Head back to Rhayader in time for the feeding at Gigrin Farm, half a mile from the town. From the end of October the kites are fed at 2pm, and around 500 come in during the colder months. Watch from the hides as they twist down to feed. If you have time, Nannerth Nature Reserve north of Rhayader is a quiet spot for a walk, and CARAD TimeScape in the town tells the story of the area.

Make a day of it

For a longer day, take the mountain road from Craig Goch over to Cwmystwyth and down the Ystwyth valley, or hire a bike for the Elan Valley Trail beside the reservoirs with Cycling in the Elan Valley. Stay the night in a self-catering cottage near Rhayader and you can watch the stars come out over some of the darkest skies in Wales.

Good to know

The Elan Valley roads are narrow in places, with passing bays. Days are short in autumn, so start by 10am to fit everything in before dark. Bring layers, as it's colder up at Craig Goch than in Rhayader.