Glyndŵr’s Way
A walking holiday from the English border and tracing the history of Owain Glyndŵr through the spectacular landscape of Mid Wales.
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.
Holiday Highlights
- Walking through a variety of landscapes, from rolling farmland, open moorland, heather-clad hills and forested pathways.
- Learning about Owain Glyndŵr at the Owain Glyndŵr Centre in Machnylleth.
- Spotting the variety of wildlife along the trail, including the rare Red Kite, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards and the even more elusive Red Squirrel.
Glyndŵr’s Way
Knighton to Welshpool around the spectacular landscape of Mid Wales and the border towns.
| Total Distance | 133 miles (213 km) |
| Start and Finish | Knighton to Welshpool |
| Availability | All Year |
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLYW1 | 10 nights, 9 days walking | £700 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYW2 | 11 nights, 10 days walking | £770 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYW3 | 12 nights, 11 days walking | £840 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. In the event of an illness or injury where you are unable to walk, the tour price also includes lifts to your next accommodation. | |||||
Glyndŵr’s Way and the Offa’s Dyke Link Path
A circular walk from Knighton along Glyndŵr’s Way and the Shropshire Hills section of Offa’s Dyke.
| Total Distance | 163 miles (261 km) |
| Start and Finish | Circular trail beginning at Knighton |
| Availability | All Year |
An enticing prospect on reaching Welshpool is to extend the walk by returning to Knighton along Offa’s Dyke Path. This creates a circular route that starts and ends in Knighton and combines the superb history and fine scenery of Glyndŵr’s Way with the spectacular views of the Shropshire Hills section on Offa’s Dyke Path.
Leaving Glyndŵr’s Way at Welshpool, the trail joins the Offa’s Dyke Path and heads southwards along undulating terrain, before reaching the pleasant market town of Montgomery. Overlooked by the remains of Montgomery Castle, the historic town is a wonderful place to explore, with the medieval interiors at the parish church of St Nicholas, charming timber-framed houses and an attractive Georgian town square.
From Montgomery, the trail maintains its hilly terrain and continues to the pretty rural village of Newcastle-on-Clun, where the earthwork of Offa’s Dyke is well preserved and offers spectacular views of the surrounding Clun Valley.
Soon, the trail heads over Llanfair Hill and Panpunton Hill, where the medieval town of Knighton rests, offering a rich history, winding streets and an old Norman castle mound. This section is a wonderful extension to Glyndŵr’s way and is sure to create a superb circular walk.
Holiday Highlights
- Walking through the spectacular scenery of Mid Wales and the Shropshire Hills along Glyndŵr’s Way and the Offa’s Dyke Path.
- Visiting the fine defences at Montgomery Castle and Powis Castle.
- Exploring the history-rich, narrow streets of Knighton on this circular walk.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLYW1+ODLP1 | 12 nights, 11 days walking | £850 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYW1+ODLP2 | 13 nights, 12 days walking | £915 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYW2+ODLP1 | 13 nights, 12 days walking | £920 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYW2+ODLP2 | 14 nights, 13 days walking | £985 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYW3+ODLP1 | 14 nights, 13 days walking | £990 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYW3+ODLP2 | 15 nights, 14 days walking | £1055 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. | |||||
Don’t have the time for the complete walk?
We also offer the Glyndŵr’s Way in two sections, each of which is a wonderful walk in its own right, giving those with less time the opportunity to complete the trail in stages.
Glyndŵr’s Way - Southern Section
Knighton to Machynlleth through the rolling hills and farmland of Mid Wales.
| Total Distance | 75 miles (120 km) |
| Start and Finish | Knighton to Machynlleth |
| Availability | All Year |
The South section of Glyndŵr’s Way runs from the border town of Knighton to Machynlleth, the ancient capital of Wales, taking in the country’s turbulent history as well as its varied landscape and breath taking countryside.
The town of Knighton marks the official starting point of Glyndŵr’s Way, but is also situated on Offa’s Dyke Path. Sitting on the border of England and Wales, the town’s quaint narrow streets were once the site of attacks by the fifteenth century armies of Owain Glyndŵr, who fought against the English rule of Wales.
Leaving the charming timber buildings of Knighton, the trail negotiates a climb up Garth Hill before crossing through farmland and open moorland on the way to the peaceful, rural village of Felindre, at the foot of the Black Mountains.
Passing once again over rolling hills and farmland, the trail rises out of Felindre and passes Castell-y-Blaidd, or ‘Wolf’s Castle,’ a horseshoe shaped earthwork with a high vantage point, offering wonderful views of the surrounding area. From here, it may be possible to spot the splendid Red Kite gliding in the skies above mid Wales. Soon, the trail arrives in Abbeycwmhir, where the 12th century Cistercian Abbey and one of Wales’ largest abbeys was destroyed by Glyndŵr in the fifteenth century. Today, Abbeycwmhir offers beautiful oak forests, abundant wildlife and a backdrop of the Cambrian Mountains.
The trail continues through forestry land on the approach to Blaentrinant, where there are fantastic views of Cader Idris and of Snowdonia in the distance. On arrival in Llanidloes, there is plenty to see and explore amongst the famous timber-framed buildings and fine surroundings before continuing along the River Severn and visiting the Clywedog Reservoir, where there are many species of bird to be seen in the lush environment. The mining town of Dylife offers a history of lead mining that dates back to the Romans. Having absorbed the wild and remote landscape, the trail continues to the delightful market town of Machynlleth. Here, Glyndŵr established his first Welsh parliament and from the charming streets that stretch from the town’s imposing clock tower, it is easy to see why this bustling centre has come to be known as the ‘ancient capital of Wales.’
Holiday Highlights
- Exploring the narrow streets and ancient buildings of the border town of Knighton.
- Spotting the abundance of birdlife soaring in the skies of Mid-Wales, including Buzzards and the majestic Red Kite.
- Admiring far reaching views towards Cader Idris and Snowdonia.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLYWS1 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £440 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYWS2 | 7 nights, 6 days walking | £525 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. In the event of an illness or injury where you are unable to walk, the tour price also includes lifts to your next accommodation. | |||||
Glyndŵr’s Way - Northern Section
Machynlleth to Welshpool visiting the land associated with Welsh hero and rebel, Owain Glyndŵr.
| Total Distance | 58 miles (93 km) |
| Start and Finish | Machynlleth to Welshpool |
| Availability | All Year |
The North section of Glyndŵr’s Way starts in the historic town of Machynlleth and takes in the fine scenery and fascinating history of Mid Wales on the way to the border town of Welshpool. Named after the Welsh rebel, Owain Glyndŵr, the trail visits the sites associated with Glyndŵr and his fight to free the Welsh nation from English rule.
The bustling market town of Machynlleth is home to the Owain Glyndŵr Centre, built on the site of ‘The Parliament House’ where Glyndŵr was crowned Prince of Wales in 1404. The centre provides a wonderful insight into the life and times of Owain Glyndŵr and when you leave the medieval town house to start the Glyndŵr’s Way Walk, you are sure to have uncovered a new found enthusiasm for Glyndŵr and the landscape he roamed.
As you leave Machynlleth and head across open moorland, skirting the Southern edge of the Snowdonia National Park, there are views of Cadair Idris, one of Wales’ highest and most popular mountains. The trail then arrives at Cemmaes Road and continues through pretty forests, rolling hills and stunning views over the Dovey Valley to the Llanbrynmair.
Out of Llanbrynmair, the trail follows forest paths, accompanied by abundant wildlife and wildflowers on the way to Llangadfan, before arriving at Llanwddyn at the head of Lake Vyrynwy. Here, the old village of Llanwddyn was submerged by flooding in the Valley and the remains of the village can still be seen when the reservoir is very low. From the site of the new, relocated village of Llanwddyn, there are wonderful views of the stunning Lake Vyrynwy, with its striking 33 arched dam.
Once again, the trail follows forest paths and rolling farmland to Pontrobert, before climbing Broniarth Hill and descending to the border town of Welshpool, nestled in the unspoilt countryside of the Severn Valley. The magnificent, medieval Powis Castle remains testament to the turbulent history of the border towns, while its stunning gardens provide a tranquil setting from which to relax on completion of this section of Glyndŵr’s Way.
Holiday Highlights
- Admiring the views of the mountains in the Snowdonia National Park, including Cadair Idris.
- Emerging at Lake Vyrynwy, with impressive views of the lake and its 33 arched dam.
- Spotting the abundance of wildlife as you walk through the forests and farmland of Mid Wales.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLYWN1 | 5 nights, 4 days walking | £370 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| GLYWN2 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £440 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £25 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £15 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £48 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. In the event of an illness or injury where you are unable to walk, the tour price also includes lifts to your next accommodation. | |||||
