Off the A470 between Rhayader and Llangurig, near St Harmon, Powys LD6 5LF
Gilfach Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
8.0
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Donation
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.0An old hill farm in the Marteg Valley, where historic farm buildings, river, woodland, heath and flower-rich grassland sit within one wildlife-rich reserve.
Gilfach earns its place through the rare combination of a working upland landscape, varied habitats and tangible farm history. Follow a waymarked trail from the Welcome Gateway for valley views and a stretch beside the River Marteg; visit quietly and give grazing animals plenty of space.
Peaceful · Wild · Big-sky · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapOff the A470 between Rhayader and Llangurig, near St Harmon, Powys LD6 5LF
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Choose a waymarked trail from the Welcome Gateway, taking in the reserve’s changing habitats, farm history and views across the valley. The Walk Through Time Trail is a sourced short loop, but its rough sections need care, particularly in wet weather. Check current route and livestock notices before setting out.
Things to do
Walk the purple-marked Walk Through Time Trail
Follow the loop from the Welcome Gateway car park, climbing to a viewpoint before taking a path beside the River Marteg. The route includes rough sections and road-side walking.
0.5–1 hour
Explore the old farm buildings
Look for the longhouse and traditional stone farm buildings that give the reserve a visible connection to its upland farming past.
Look and listen for birds
The Trust describes Gilfach as supporting 55 breeding bird species. Visit quietly and watch from paths; sightings depend on season and conditions.
Try the short Easy Access Trail
The Trust identifies a short Easy Access Trail from the Old Farmyard for less mobile visitors. Check current surface and access conditions before visiting.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 0.5–1 hour
Quick Escape: the Walk Through Time loop
- 01
Start at the Gilfach Nature Reserve Welcome Gateway car park.
- 02
Follow the purple-marked Walk Through Time Trail uphill to the viewpoint.
- 03
Continue along the path beside the River Marteg and return on the loop.
- 04
Take care on rough sections and near roads, especially in wet conditions.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: explore the reserve’s habitats and farm history
- 01
Begin at the Welcome Gateway and check the Trust’s current trail and livestock notices.
- 02
Choose a waymarked trail suited to the time and conditions; the reserve has several trails and a short Easy Access Trail from the Old Farmyard.
- 03
Pause at the historic farm buildings and look across the valley from the route.
- 04
Allow time to watch and listen for wildlife without approaching or disturbing animals.
Verified history
Gilfach is an old upland hill farm. Its longhouse and stone farm buildings remain as physical reminders of the site’s agricultural past. The supplied sources do not establish a construction date for the buildings, so none is given here.
Hidden details
A remarkably rich lichen record — The Wildlife Trust reports 413 species of lichen at Gilfach—a detail easy to miss while concentrating on the larger landscape and birds.
The farm remains part of the landscape — The longhouse and stone buildings are not just scenery: they mark Gilfach’s past as an upland hill farm.
When to go
March · April · May · June · July · August · Weekdays outside school holidays and weekends for a quieter visit, according to the source row.
The source row highlights spring woodland flowers and returning breeding birds, followed by summer wildflowers and insects. The Trust also reports that cattle and sheep graze on site from April to November, so check notices and follow reserve guidance.
The Walk Through Time Trail has rougher sections that require care, particularly in wet conditions. Check current trail conditions and livestock notices before setting out.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the old longhouse and stone farm buildings, the changing ground between woodland and open grassland, and birds around the river and reserve. The Trust lists 55 breeding bird species and 413 lichen species
- 02
spotting any particular species is not guaranteed.
The story
Traditional upland hill farming and historic farm buildings.
Best time to go
Spring for breeding birds and woodland flowers; summer for meadow flowers and insects; autumn and winter for quieter visits and changing valley scenery.
Spring is a good choice for woodland flowers and breeding birds; summer brings flowering meadows. For a quieter visit, the source row recommends weekdays outside school holidays and weekends.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families · History lovers
Practical information
Opening & access
A Radnorshire Wildlife Trust reserve with a Welcome Gateway car park and several waymarked trails. The Trust requests donations. Cattle and sheep graze on site from April to November; check the reserve’s current notices for closures and conditions.
Check before visiting
Parking
Car park at the Welcome Gateway entrance off the A470. Check current access and parking information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Toilets
The source row reports toilets near the visitor centre; check availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
The source row identifies the reserve as dog-friendly. Check the Trust’s current guidance and signage, and keep dogs under close control around livestock and wildlife.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The reserve reports a short Easy Access Trail from the Old Farmyard for less mobile visitors. Other paths may be uneven or challenging; check current route conditions and access information before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Donation
Water
River
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Gilfach Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances