Glyndŵr's Way
Glyndŵr’s Way is a designated National Trail in mid-Wales, a long-distance footpath that runs for 135 miles (217 km) as an extended horseshoe-style loop through Powys. The route starts at Knighton and finishes at Welshpool, with Machynlleth serving as the western anchor point of the circuit.
The walk traces the legacy of Owain Glyndŵr, with Machynlleth closely tied to his parliament in 1404. The trail is also built around places and landscapes connected to the early-15th-century Welsh revolt, with the Abbey Cwmhir ruins specifically flagged as a route highlight.
For planning, expect a long walking commitment: the route is typically completed in about 9–11 days. The top-end difficulty is reflected in its National Trail status and overall “very challenging” character, with the distance and elevation gain adding up quickly across the stages.
Terrain trends toward remote, sparsely populated hill country and open ground, with sections of moorland and forestry as well as farmland and wooded valleys. Much of the route’s feel comes from moving between these landscape types, rather than spending long stretches on one single kind of track.
Higher points on the route include Foel Fadian (1,654 ft / 504 m), which is the named highest point for the trail. That elevation profile aligns with the route being “very challenging” overall, even though it can be paced with multi-day stage planning.
Popular mid-Wales walking infrastructure is the backstop for logistics rather than the terrain itself: you can plan to break the 217 km into day stages, using towns along the line such as Llanidloes, Dylife, and Machynlleth for mid-route support. The trail also links back into Offa’s Dyke at the start/end area via Knighton and Welshpool, allowing a longer circular variant if you want extra miles.
The waypoint set for this National Trail includes, among others, Abbey Cwmhir (ruins), Llyn Clywedog, Dylife mines, and the Parliament House area at Machynlleth, plus passes via Llanbrynmair, Llangadfan and the Lake Vyrnwy / River Vyrnwy valley as the loop swings back toward Welshpool.
More information: Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Glyndŵr's Way