Caban-coch Reservoir, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5HE
Garreg Ddu Dam
Reservoir
Place photograph
6.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.2Garreg Ddu sits within the Elan Valley’s network of dams and reservoirs, a landscape shaped by the large-scale project to supply Birmingham with drinking water.
The appeal here is the meeting of working water infrastructure and the open, upland scenery of the Elan Valley. Garreg Ddu also makes a practical destination on a surfaced section of the valley trail, rather than a viewpoint that requires a long mountain walk.
Dramatic · Big-sky · Wild
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Open mapCaban-coch Reservoir, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5HE
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The experience
Make Garreg Ddu a short out-and-back on the Elan Valley Trail, or continue along the route towards Craig Goch. The official route source gives the full Visitor Centre–Craig Goch walk as 10 km each way, taking about three hours each way.
Things to do
Walk the surfaced trail to Garreg Ddu
Follow the Elan Valley Trail from the Visitor Centre towards Garreg Ddu. The official route information says the path is tarmacked to Garreg Ddu and suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs.
The official source gives one mile to Garreg Ddu; it does not specify a time for this section.
Continue along the Elan Valley Trail towards Craig Goch
The official route is a linear walk from the Visitor Centre to Craig Goch, following the line of the old Birmingham Corporation Railway and passing Garreg Ddu.
Three hours each way for 10 km.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours; duration is an suggested visit, not a sourced route time.
Quick reservoir-side walk
- 01
Join the Elan Valley Trail and follow it towards Garreg Ddu.
- 02
Use the surfaced, mostly flat section to reach the reservoir-side area.
- 03
Return the way you came; confirm your start point and parking before setting out.
Half day · The full Visitor Centre–Craig Goch route is listed as 10 km each way and three hours each way.
Continue towards Craig Goch
- 01
Start at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre.
- 02
Follow the Red Kite waymarker along the linear trail towards Craig Goch, passing Garreg Ddu.
- 03
The official route describes the way as mostly flat with gentle gradients and tarmacked to Garreg Ddu.
- 04
Take care where the route crosses or follows roads.
Verified history
The supplied Elan Valley source describes a linked system of dams and reservoirs created to supply drinking water to Birmingham. It says the original scheme was designed under civil engineer James Mansergh and constructed by Birmingham Corporation from the 1890s, with the original scheme completed in the early twentieth century. The supplied material does not establish a more specific construction history for Garreg Ddu Dam itself.
When to go
· No specific time of day is verified in the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not provide seasonal advice specific to Garreg Ddu Dam.
Check local conditions before visiting. The supplied sources provide no site-specific weather guidance.
Worth pairing with
Elan Valley Visitor Centre
The official trail route starts at the Visitor Centre and follows the Elan Valley Trail towards Craig Goch, passing Garreg Ddu.
Craig Goch
A longer walk along the same linear trail continues from Garreg Ddu towards Craig Goch.
What to look for
Notice how the dam and reservoir infrastructure sit within the wider upland landscape. The supplied sources do not verify more specific features at the dam.
The story
Elan Valley dams and reservoirs; water supply to Birmingham
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; no specific seasonal recommendation is verified in the supplied sources.
No specific best time of day is verified in the supplied sources.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Families
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 9am-5pm
- Tuesday: 9am-5pm
- Wednesday: 9am-5pm
- Thursday: 9am-5pm
- Friday: 9am-5pm
- Saturday: 9am-5pm
- Sunday: 9am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The Elan Valley Trail reaches Garreg Ddu on a mostly flat, surfaced route. The first mile is tarmacked and the official route source describes it as suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Check current conditions before setting out.
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Parking
Check before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm parking at Garreg Ddu Dam.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The official Elan Valley route information describes the trail as mostly flat with gentle gradients, tarmacked to Garreg Ddu, and suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Check current route conditions and road crossings.
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Cost
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Water
Reservoir
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Garreg Ddu Dam
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
