I’ve always enjoyed walking, and since discovering the AllTrails app last year it’s become one of my favourite pastimes. On my days off I love finding a pretty route and heading out with a flask of tea, my camera and a full Podcast library.
I came across the Source of the Severn route on TikTok – at first glance I thought it was somewhere in Canada or the US, but was delighted to discover it’s much closer to home! The River Severn is the longest river in Britain and starts in the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales. It takes a 220 mile route through the Welsh Borderlands towards the Bristol Channel. This walk isn’t quite that long – it’s a 13k route that begins in Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes. I woke at 4am (ouch) to make the 2 hour drive, eager to catch the sunrise on my walk!
I arrived at the car park just before 7am. I’d originally planned to follow an AllTrails map I’d downloaded, but the Source of the Severn route is really well sign-posted so I just followed the markers instead. The AllTrails route is an out-and-back, whereas the signposted route is a loop, so there’s a lot more variety!
The trail begins on the Cascades Boardwalk, which makes for some beautiful photos. I managed to catch the sunrise when I reached Rhaeadr Blaenhafren – the first waterfall of the walk – which was well and truly worth the 4am alarm! This is followed by a steep incline through the forest.
After around 5k, you come to open moorland – there is a narrow path through the peat bog that leads you to a post, marking the Source of the Severn. Due to all the rain we’ve had this part of the walk was SUPER muddy; I found myself ankle-deep in the bog whilst attempting to side-step puddles on the path. RIP white socks. You can easily skip this part of the walk if you want to stick to easier terrain!
After the Source the AllTrails map takes you back the way you came, but if you follow the markers on the path it’ll lead you past Pumlumon (the highest point of the Cambrian mountains) and through the ruins of Nant yr Eira mine. I’m so glad I decided to walk back this way as the scenery was beautiful.
I started my walk just before 7am on a Saturday morning and pretty much had the entire trail to myself. It took me just over 3 hours in total. When heading back along the Cascades, the path was getting busy and the car park was more or less full, so I’d advise getting there early if you want to avoid the crowds!
Overall a beautiful walk and a lovely way to spend a rare Saturday morning off work! I was excited to head home afterwards for a hearty breakfast, a shower and a well-deserved nap x
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