In the early 15th Century, Owain Glyndŵr led an audacious, but ultimately ill-fated rebellion against English rule. This superb walk through some of the finest scenery in Wales visits many of the sites connected with his campaign for an independent Welsh nation.

Glyndŵr's Way begins in the attractive old market town of Knighton on the English border, which, like Welshpool at the end of the trail, was attacked by Glyndŵr's soldiers in the early years of his campaign. From here it heads west across a landscape of rich farmland, rounded hills and hidden valleys sheltering sleepy villages, to the ruins of Abbey Cwmhir, which was destroyed by Glyndŵr when he discovered that the monks were supporting the English. Switching north, the trail crosses fields criss-crossed with hedgerows of hawthorn and honeysuckle, forest and windswept hills with far-reaching views, to the friendly little town of Llanidloes. It follows the shores of Llŷn Clywedog, crosses the heather-clad slopes of Plynlimon where Glyndŵr raised his standard and won his first victory over the English, and then descends to the bustling little market town of Machynlleth, where Glyndŵr established his first Welsh parliament. From Machynlleth the trail turns east towards the Berwyn Mountains and Llŷn Efyrnwy across wild and lonely hills with spectacular views across the lovely Dyfi Valley to the brooding bulk of Cadair Idris. Leaving the little village of Llanwddyn on the shores of Llŷn Efyrnwy, the trail follows forest tracks and riverside paths to the pretty little village of Pontrobert, before meandering through farmland to the old border town of Welshpool and magnificent Powis Castle.

Llŷn Clywedog© BOV