RHAYADER may just be the best town for outdoor activities that you’ve never heard of. Situated in the heart of the Welsh countryside, most only register it as they pass through its central crossroads on their way north to Eryri/Snowdonia or west to the coast.
But Rhayader has good reason to call itself the ‘outdoor capital of Wales’. It’s the gateway to the Elan Valley, the Welsh ‘Lake District’ of 72 square miles of open space, boasting six dams and their reservoirs all surrounded by rounded green hills and steep valleys. It’s a playground for hikers, water sports fans, horse riders and road cyclists, and it has been named by Red Bull as one of Wales’ top 10 destinations for mountain bikers. It’s also been designated as an International Dark Sky Park – perfect for stargazing. But word is spreading, and more people are discovering its secret charms. Indeed, Welsh singer and presenter Charlotte Church
