Powys is a large county whose slow winding roads may frustrate motorists but can delight cyclists. The 14-mile Montgomery Canal, from Welshpool to Newtown, is one of the most beautiful stretches of waterway in Wales, and the newly opened towpath trail along it which links Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury is great for family cycling. Lôn Las Cymru, the Welsh top-to-bottom cycle route whose 250 miles gives a thrilling overview of the country, runs through Machynlleth on a wonderful stretch of road through Corris and on to Dogellau. West of Rhayader the NCN81 runs off NCN8 alongside reservoirs in the Elan Valley.
VIEWS are being sought from the public on a Radnorshire beauty spot that has been closed to the public for more than two years. Access to the spectacular Devil’s Gulch, close to the Pen y Garreg Reservoir in the gorgeous Elan Valley, has been prohibited since November 2018 due to rockfall which made it impassable – and has led to estimations repair work could cost in excess of £1 million. And while local walkers have been denied access to a stunning segment of the Elan Valley Trail, the “extremely unstable” condition of the rock face has led to the Welsh Government deciding to keep the path closed for a further six months.