Road trip to the Elan Valley, mid-Wales

[lupy]

After a rubbish week, I woke at 6.30 yesterday morning, the sun was shining and what better way to spend the day than driving through Wales in a 911

I set off from Bristol heading for the Elan Valley, decided to try a different route this time rather than via Chepstow and Usk, instead I headed up the M5 towards Worcester, turning off down the M50 towards Hereford, up the A49 and off down the A465 for a *very* necessary stop at McD’s, before the fun started

I headed to Clehonger on the B4349, then soon after followed the B4352, through Madley to hook up onto the B4348 to Hay-On-Wye. This stretch of road runs parallel to a main A road, which seemed to take the majority of traffic, I would have posted some pics at this point but I couldn’t find a suitable place to stop

From here I cut across to Builth Wells and then on to Rhayader. On the B4518 I took a wrong turn down to the Caban-coch Reservoir, I'm glad I did, there’s a road running round the reservoir and the views are absolutely stunning. It’s mostly single track with passing places but well worth stopping by if you’re in the area. This road dropped me at the top of the Reservoir and back onto the route I should have taken earlier. Turning left, more awesome roads leading up to Devil’s bridge, left and then left again and there’s yet more down the B4343.

Soon after this I had to turn round and do the same back home, shame I wish I’d planned some more time out there, the roads are awesome, here’s a few pics of my 911 adventure

[Red111]

Nice! Did same trip around dams last Sunday with a fellow Elise driver from South Wales ending up at the Evo Magazine bridge, Rhayader. Some of your pictures are identical to ours - I see the tree is still stuck on top of dam.

Breakfast at Honey Cafe Bronllys (not far from Hay) and lunch on way back
at Red Lion at Llanafan Fawr (near Builth)

Edited by Red111 on Sunday 13th May 22:20

[lupy]

That must have been tremendous fun in 2 elises, there were quite a few bikes out on Sat but not many cars. I didn't end up stopping for food, too many good roads keeping me occupied will bear those in mind for future trips

[Angry Sheep]

I did this route the other week. Crap weather combined with crap car meant I probably didn't have anywhere near as much fun as you.

[lupy]

Superb place, we're hoping to go back over the summer but maybe on push bikes next time

[Red111]

lupy said:

That must have been tremendous fun in 2 elises, there were quite a few bikes out on Sat but not many cars. I didn't end up stopping for food, too many good roads keeping me occupied will bear those in mind for future trips

Yes was good fun. We tend to be regular visitors as its not too far from South Wales etc and we tend to leave home around 7:30/8:00 so roads very quiet. Can highly recommend both locations for breakfast/Lunch and Lunch which will split your journey up a bit.

If you were on B4343 you should have popped in on Dafyddd in Llanddewi-Brefi!

PS very nice car. I'll have to try and upload some shots of our recent trip, the water wasn't coming over the dam when we were there.

Edited by Red111 on Monday 14th May 13:46

[Red111]

Angry Sheep said:

I did this route the other week. Crap weather combined with crap car meant I probably didn't have anywhere near as much fun as you.

Focus is a fab handling car and it doesn't matter what car your in as the roads and scenery are fantastic.

[Allyc85]

Glad the Op had better weather than we had back in December!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dszAMBKzx8c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTxxcIfQTAg&fea...

Agreed about the Focus being a brilliant handling car. The 2.0 isnt that fast but the chassis really makes up for it

[Chris71]

That GT3 RS looks

I'm afraid my trips to that area have all been in a Focus too. We took one road - looking at the map I think it must have been the B4518 - for miles on the way back down from Snowdonia.

Also took The Mountain Road at one point; very picturesque, but even in the high-set cockpit of the Focus it didn't offer good enough visibility to really press on I didn't think. Great for a scenic drive, though.

[Trefy5]

Don't tell everyone - i want the roads to myself

It's also worth going up to the Claerwen (part of the Elan valley scheme but in, yes, the Claerwen valley)

looking down

looking up


from behind


the reservoir


the Elan hairpin


caban coch (bottom dam) overflowing


Always happy to point out a route or two should anyone be interested

[lupy]

Chris71 said:

I remember that really dodgy bridge, seemed like someone just threw a few random rusty metal plates out there, I was thinking "holy st, I hope this is ment to be driven over" and that cool hairpin, 2nd gear and back end out, what childish fun

Great pics. Trefy5, we're hoping to get up to Snowdonia too over this summer for walking / hiking, I'll be in touch for some route tips

[kazino]

Epic road, did it a couple of years back in the boxster, majestic scenery as well as being nice and empty

[mx5tom]

This brings back some good memories. I'm in Aberystwyth so not too far away, but I haven't been through the Elan valley for a few years now. Such an awesome place to go, and if you haven't driven there before you have to try it.

[AndyWoodall]

For almost a year I drove between Cardiff and Aberstwyth using some of the roads you mention, in particular the Elan Valley route to Devils Bridge, twice a week, every week.

At no point was the 2h run ever a chore, even in snow one evening! By comparison I hate chunks of my 30m commute into the Midlands.

[Chris71]

AndyWoodall said:

For almost a year I drove between Cardiff and Aberstwyth using some of the roads you mention, in particular the Elan Valley route to Devils Bridge, twice a week, every week.

At no point was the 2h run ever a chore, even in snow one evening! By comparison I hate chunks of my 30m commute into the Midlands.

Tell me about it. Never had the pleasure of the Elan Valley, but I did live in South Wales for a bit and a very rural part of Devon before that. Popping out (genuinely) for a pint of milk there took me on better roads than I can find for a dedicated hoon round here in Middlesex.

[Red111]

Couple of mine from other day

[Red111]

some old ones






Above is upper Chapels on way back down

[FisiP1]

I'm a local to this road too, use it for commute occasionally.

Red Porsche Cayman, white 991 Carrera, Silver Mustang, Gunmetal Mustang... one of those!

Should really do an area meet up there one day, since I'm sure there are some of us about, and an alarming number of mx5s it seems!

Unfortunately the last encounter with potential PHers I had up there wasn't a positive one, a bunch of BMWs from a club meeting of some description taking extreme liberties taking the 'racing line' around blind bends. My dad also narrowly avoided a head-on with the same group on a separate day up there. Drive safe!

[Red111]

My friend in the orange Elise above also witnessed their antics the same time you did. Was following a tailender and saw him overtake on blinds bends etc. I told him about your post about it on this section. Bloody idiots.

Keep racing line driving for track days not public roads.

Edited by Red111 on Saturday 19th May 18:46

[FisiP1]

Thanks Red, interesting but not surprising to hear that.