The Berwyn Mountains are a stunningly beautiful part of North Wales that is overshadowed by its big brother Snowdonia, which sits to the west of the Berwyns. It is a place of wild beauty and a haven for walkers. Unlike Snowdonia, which often feels crowded and busy, the Berwyns get fewer visitors which means you often have paths & trails to yourself. If you’re looking for somewhere to go walking in North Wales, you’ve just stumbled upon one of the region’s best-kept secrets.

Berwyn Mountains – WALKS from the DOORSTEP
From the bunkhouse door, there are endless walking routes in the area to explore the Berwyn Mountains.

The Biggest Challenge – You may start the Berwyn Range – 177 miles in total from here. This mountain range is less walked than mountains in Snowdonia, but the Berwyns includes some high ridges with beautiful views and challenging aspects. The Berwyn Range roughly stretches from Llangollen in the east to Bala in the west. The highest peak is Cadair Berwyn, at 830m with another 24 peaks above 600m waiting to be explored. This would be a exciting adventure to plan for! The route is made up of 5 sections with easily accessible starting & finishing points.

The Highest Mountain- Cadair Berwyn is the tallest mountain in the Berwyn Range. The name translates to ‘Chair of the White Summit.’ On a clear day, the views from the summit of Cadair Berwyn are stunning, with Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons visible. These are the most popular routes to Cadair Berwyn.

All the Walking Routes up Cadair Berwyn

The Natural Wonder – Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall is the tallest single drop waterfall in Britain; falling 80m and it’s located in the Berwyns. It’s a spectacular waterfall and there are walks exploring the waterfall as well as venturing further into the Berwyns. These are recommended walks that include the waterfall.
http://www.pistyllrhaeadr.co.uk/walks.html

Summits, Lakes & Waterfalls – It is a great opportunity to walk to the famous waterfall from the bunkhouse doorstep. A 13-mile route that takes in Cwm Maengwynedd, Berwyn Mountain summits including Cadair Bronwen, Cadair Berwyn & Moel Sych. Walking near Llyn Lluncaws & Tan-y-Pistyll (home to the famous waterfall), there is lots to experience on this route.
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1612087

Circular routes – Many individual routes in this book can easily be linked with others, to provide longer walks if required. We have a copy of this book in the bunkhouse for guests to borrow. Book: ‘Walks around the Berwyn Mountains’ by David Berry.
Routes:
The Berwyn Round, from Llandrillo – 13 miles
Cadair Berwyn and Cadair Bronwen – 10 miles
Berwyn Fringes from Llandrillo – 2.75 miles
Cadair Bronwen, from Llandrillo – 10 miles
Tomle and Cadair Berwyn – 9.25 miles
Pistyll Rhaeadr – 3 miles
Cadair Berwyn and Pistyll Rhaeadr – 6 miles
Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog and Bryn Ddu – 4.25 miles

Berwyn Mountains – VILLAGES
Around the Berwyns there are villages which allow you to explore different routes and sections of the Berwyn Range.
They are invaluable for the facilities they offer & supplies you can access.

Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant – is to the south of the Berwyn Mountains. It has two pubs ‘The Hand’ and ‘The Wynnstay.’ As well there is a fabulous butcher’s shop, a small cafe, fish & chip shop & a spar and village store to pick up essentials from. It is a nice place to visit if you are in the area or passing through.

Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog – lies to the east of the Berwyn Mountains. It is a beautiful village lying on the River Ceiriog. It boasts a fantastic Inn called ‘The Hand.’ There are no shops in the village.

Llandrillo – is to the west of the Berwyns and is a small village with a wealth of history. It is set in an astonishing ancient landscape and great for accessing routes to the Berwyns. The pub is sadly now closed.

BERWYN MOUNTAINS – OUR BUNKHOUSE
The sheep farming valley of Maengwynedd lies with the stunning backdrop of the Berwyn Mountains. This is where our Wild Valley Bunkhouse is located. The Bunkhouse is an ideal base for explorers for an adventure. It is pet-friendly, and it has off-road parking. The bunkhouse is a great base for walkers, explorers, and those who seek to be amongst nature; in the fresh air with stunning vista views.

Autumn is full of vibrant colours, and cosy moments by the fire, it brings a unique charm to the landscape. Here’s why the autumn half-term is in the ideal time to stay at Wild Valley Bunkhouse. Underfloor heating, ideal for returning to after crisp autumn days. The tranquility of nature with no crowds. Enjoy toasted marshmallows on the outdoor fire, and warm stews in the bunkhouse kitchen. Dark evenings away from street lights, enjoy incredible views of the night sky.

*Underfloor heating and layers of blankets in the bunkhouse make it a cosy retreat.
The cooler temperatures of autumn make it perfect for enjoying the warmth & cuddling up.

*The Bunkhouse sits in the heart of Maengwynedd Valley, a sheep farming valley. Remote, rural; with stunning scenery. As the leaves turn golden & red, the valley transforms into an even more stunning landscape. An ideal place to relax and have some time for you with your loved one.

*Fresh, crisp, mild days are ideal for exploring.  Whether you’re strolling in the valley, venturing into the Berwyn Hills or simply sitting in your private garden, you’ll be immersed in the beauty of the season.

*With the end of the summer holidays, fewer visitors and no crowds, it creates a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Autumn allows you to enjoy the tranquility of nature in a more intimate setting. Visit the beautiful settings of Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, stunning Lake Vyrnwy & the bustling Welsh town of Llangollen.

*Admire  the National Trust sites nearby with their autumnal gardens by taking an autumn stroll.
Visit the beautiful settings of Chirk Castle, Powis Castle and Erdigg Hall; all impressive to visit and nearby.

*Enjoy warm hot chocolate & toast marshmallows on the outdoor fire or venture further and have a go at making smores. The classic smores recipe is a toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two plain or chocolate digestive biscuits. A bit like a marshmallow sandwich – certainly a gooey but delicious mess. Or venture even further & make your own smores to suit your taste buds. We can recommend peanut butter cups (Reese’s Cups)- heaven!

*Indulge in autumn stews. The bunkhouse has a slow cooker to allow you to make a cosy stew to create those delicious, rich smells for your return after your day of adventure.
Guests are lucky to be 5 mins from the village with Izzy’s Butchers. Izzy won the Welsh Countryside Alliance’s Best Butcher Award for 2024. The flavours are phenomenal!

*Away from street lights, we offer incredible views of the night sky. Grab a hot drink by the fire, snuggle under a blanket and admire the stars above.
This year, there has been an increase in solar flares (explosions on the sun) that cause the Northern Lights; creating more opportunities to see the Northern Lights. We have had the Northern Lights on our doorstep this year.

We hope we have at least one reason why you’d like to visit Wild Valley huts this Autumn.