Itinerary Planner

Winter Stargazing Trail | Two Nights under the Darkest Skies of Mid Wales

A two-night winter stargazing trail across Mid Wales, from Tregaron in Ceredigion over the Cambrian Mountains to the Elan Valley and on to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). Walk by day and look up by night, and plan your dates around the new moon. Winter has the longest nights of the year, and the Geminid meteor shower peaks on 13 and 14 December.

Night one: Tregaron and the Cambrian Mountains

Stay at Y Talbot in Tregaron, an inn with rooms and food, at the western edge of the Cambrian Mountains. After dinner, join a guided session with Serydda, who runs stargazing experiences and night photography workshops in the area and knows where to find the darkest skies.

Day two: over the mountain road to the Elan Valley

Take the mountain road east from Tregaron through the Cambrian Mountains, one of the emptiest parts of England and Wales. Stop at Cwm Elan, the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, for lunch in the cafe and a walk by the reservoirs, then watch the red kite feeding at Gigrin Farm near Rhayader at 2pm. Stay near Rhayader: Mid Wales Holiday Lets has self-catering in and around the town.

Night two: the Elan Valley

Drive back up the valley after dark to one of the reservoir car parks. On a clear winter night you can see Orion, the Pleiades and the band of the Milky Way. Give your eyes time to adjust and use a red torch.

Day three: Bannau Brycheiniog

Head south to Brecon. Black Mountain Adventure runs outdoor activities in Bannau Brycheiniog if you want an active last day, and The Castle of Brecon Hotel is in the middle of town for lunch or a final night. The whole National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Good to know

Winter nights on the hills are very cold. Bring layers, a hat, gloves, a flask and something to sit on, and check the forecast and moon phase before you go.