Exploring the big skies and bogs of mid Wales (October 2025)

In October 11 set off for the homely and characterful Beili Neuadd bunkhouse in Rhayader, mid Wales where we welcomed Lucy, Jo and Liz on their very first Ibex weekend. On Friday night most of us ate together at the Crown Inn in Rhayader. Clive put us to shame by lighting his torch and walking back to the bunkhouse while the rest of us jumped in cars and only just beat him back.

On Saturday Jim led a wonderful 17 km circular walk from Pont ar Elan.  Jim was intrigued by the Ancient Road marked on the map which wasn’t always clear on the ground but was an interesting exploratory walk leading us up and over Carn Ricet and Clawdd Du Mawr. We had a lovely lunch stop overlooking a picturesque small llyn and after some ploughing through long tussocky grass we got up onto a better track on the ridgeline. There were fantastic expansive views over hills and moorland in all directions with little sign of other walkers or habitation. No wonder this area is known for its excellent stargazing!

Meanwhile Dave stepped in at the last minute to lead a walk planned by Karen. This was a more challenging exploratory walk over rough uncharted terrain with few paths, boggy patches and stream crossings.  All our newcomers were up for the challenge. The walk began at Pant-y-Gwartheg at the southern end of the Caban-coch reservoir, heading over Gorllwyn, Carnau and the highpoint Drygarn Fawr with its enormous cairn. On messaging the group at lunchtime to see how they were doing the plaintive answer came back ‘we are bogged down!’. Fortunately the last 3 miles along the River Rhiwnant had a clear path not shown on the map and the river with its waterfalls proved to be one of the highlights of the day.

As usual we had a fabulous evening meal thanks to our cooks for the weekend, Clive, Viv, Maggie and June. Conversation over dinner revolved around what to do on Sunday as the forecast was for heavy rain. Call it a day after great Saturday walks and head home? Or don our waterproofs and brave the weather? And of course, being Ibexers there was only one option – just get on out there! So we did. Yes, we got soaked and yes, we had a great time! Gusta led the walk around the Garreg Ddu reservoir through woodland and passing the massive dam wall. A good choice for a wet day. We headed to the tearoom halfway round but Welsh hospitality didn’t extend to a bedraggled dripping bunch of hikers so we took shelter under the trees and pulled out our flasks and snacks instead.

All in all it was a great weekend with good company in a peaceful and remote part of Wales.

Sue