Source of the Severn from Hafren Forest

The walk starts from the Rhyd-y-benwch car park in Hafren Forest, west of Llanidloes. It follows the young River Severn up the forest by a path along the water, passing cascades, to the Blaen Hafren falls. Beyond the falls a steep path climbs to the edge of the forest and a stone path crosses boggy moorland to the source of the Severn, on the slopes of Pumlumon just outside the forest and marked by a carved wooden post. The way back leaves the falls by a different line, on forest track and path, to the car park.

It is 13.2 km with 317 m of ascent; allow about 4 hours. The grade is Hard: the distance and the open, boggy moor above the trees, and Natural Resources Wales grades its Source of the Severn Trail, a walk of the same length to the same place, as Strenuous.

Above the forest the ground is open, wet and exposed, and the path there is stone slabs and loose stone, with sheep on it at times. Take a map, boots and waterproofs, and do not go on in poor visibility. Natural Resources Wales describes part of its own trail as a narrow, loose shale path beside the river.

The car park at Rhyd-y-benwch is free, and there are temporary toilets in it. Overnight parking is not allowed.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.