There is open access over most of the 70 square mile Estate, and there are over 80 miles of designated rights of way. However, please do not enter fenced areas around farms unless you have been given permission by the farmer.

There are many leafleted walks and trails with a good mixture of lengths to cater for all, including nature trails and scenic walks.

The Elan Valley Trail is a surfaced path which follows the route of the old Elan Valley Railway. It is for use by walkers, horse riders and cyclists and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Please see below for a list of the walking publications relating to the Elan Estate.  

Terrain on the hills of the Estate can be challenging, varying between tussocks of purple moor-grass to deep patches of sphagnum moss, plus there are frequent sheep tracks which are easily mistaken for upland paths. Some navigational skills are essential, and Ordnance Survey maps and compasses are necessary for the longer routes in the Hillwalks pack.

Mobile phone coverage is very poor on all networks in this area.

Dogs:Because of the many free-ranging sheep on the Estate, please keep your dog under close control at all times.

There are a range of walking leaflets and packs, available from the Information Desk, together with Ordnance Survey maps.

The relevant Ordnance Survey maps for this area are the Explorer 200 (1:25000) and the Landranger 147 (1:50000)

These include:

• Four Walks from the Visitor Centre leaflet (20p)

• Three Walks from Penbont Car Park leaflet (20p)

• Cnwch Wood Nature Trail leaflet (20p)

• Elan Valley Trail leaflet (20p)

• Botanical Trail leaflet (20p)

• Geological Trail leaflet (20p)

• Ten Hillwalks around Rhayader and the Elan Valley pack (£3.95)

• Woodland Walks in the Elan Valley pack (£3.95)