Sarn Sabrina - Saturday 30 May 2015
Route
Llanidloes - Bryntail - Clywedog Dam - Llyn Clywedog - Cwm Biga - Source of the Severn - Blaen Hafren Falls - Rhyd y Benwch - Brithdir - Llanidloes
Parking
Plenty in Llanidloes
Mileage
25 miles
Terrain
Good paths and forest tracks. There is some tarmac walking but on quiet roads and lanes.
Weather
Mild and overcast with some sunny spells.
Time Taken
8hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
5193ft (1583m)
Map
OS Explorer 214 - Llanidloes & Newtown
Llanidloes - Bryntail - Clywedog Dam - Llyn Clywedog - Cwm Biga - Source of the Severn - Blaen Hafren Falls - Rhyd y Benwch - Brithdir - Llanidloes
Parking
Plenty in Llanidloes
Mileage
25 miles
Terrain
Good paths and forest tracks. There is some tarmac walking but on quiet roads and lanes.
Weather
Mild and overcast with some sunny spells.
Time Taken
8hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
5193ft (1583m)
Map
OS Explorer 214 - Llanidloes & Newtown
GPX File
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Walk Description
The Sarn Sabrina is held every year and is a walk of 25 miles (approximately 40km) that leads out of the Mid Wales town of Llanidloes and follows the National Trail of Glyndwr’s Way. Leading up past the Van Pool, the path opens up extensive views of Llyn Clywedog and the surrounding countryside before following the shoreline of the lake to the borders of the Hafren Forest and Cwm Biga Farm. Climbing up through the Forest to the slopes of Pen Pumlumon, the trail then visits the Source of the Severn at 620m above sea level.
The River Severn, the longest river in the UK, takes its rise 9 miles to the west of Llanidloes high up on the slopes of Pumlumon; the highest point in the central range of the Cambrian Mountains. The Roman name for the Severn (the Hafren in Welsh) was Sabrina, and an ancient myth tells Sabrina was one of three sisters, all water nymphs, who met on Pen Pumlumon to discuss how they might wend their way to the sea. Each sister took a different route, Ystwyth to the west and Varga (the Wye) away to the south, while Sabrina, who loved the land, set out on a slow meandering course that led her far into the east. The spirit of Sabrina still resides in the sparkling waters of the river and nowhere is her benevolent presence more apparent than here, where she first set forth upon her long journey to the sea.
Once away from the source, the route descends through the forest along the Severn Way. The trail next takes to the watershed of the Severn and the Clywedog, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding countryside before arriving back in Llanidloes. This is a great day out and is an extremely well administered and marshalled long distance walk. The website is here at this link.
The River Severn, the longest river in the UK, takes its rise 9 miles to the west of Llanidloes high up on the slopes of Pumlumon; the highest point in the central range of the Cambrian Mountains. The Roman name for the Severn (the Hafren in Welsh) was Sabrina, and an ancient myth tells Sabrina was one of three sisters, all water nymphs, who met on Pen Pumlumon to discuss how they might wend their way to the sea. Each sister took a different route, Ystwyth to the west and Varga (the Wye) away to the south, while Sabrina, who loved the land, set out on a slow meandering course that led her far into the east. The spirit of Sabrina still resides in the sparkling waters of the river and nowhere is her benevolent presence more apparent than here, where she first set forth upon her long journey to the sea.
Once away from the source, the route descends through the forest along the Severn Way. The trail next takes to the watershed of the Severn and the Clywedog, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding countryside before arriving back in Llanidloes. This is a great day out and is an extremely well administered and marshalled long distance walk. The website is here at this link.
The weather was looking good as we left Llanidloes
The Long Bridge over the River Severn at Llanidloes
The Sarn Sabrina Waymark
Heading down to Van with Bryn y Fan in the background
Beneath the Clywedog Dam......
.... and above it
Looking over Llyn Clywedog to Dinas
Idyllic
The walk hugged Llyn Clywedog for a few miles
Leaving Cwm Biga Farm and heading deep into the Hafren Forest
The Source of the Severn beneath Pumlumon
Pen Pumlumon Arwystli
Blaen Hafren Falls
Just before the falls the walk joins the Severn Way
The lovely boardwalk near Rhyd y Benwch
Severn Break its Neck Falls
This fellow wasn't very happy having his photo taken but he was looking forward to Christmas
After a long day we were glad to see Llanidloes again
Llanidloes - time for a beer methinks