Elan Valley: Caban Coch and Nant y Gro Walk
Powys
The Elan Valley reservoirs were built by Birmingham Corporation from 1893 to send water by gravity to the city, and Caban Coch is the first and lowest of the great Victorian dams, a short walk from the Elan Valley Visitor Centre. The Nant y Gro walk, a lead walk for dogs among the estate's free-roaming sheep, is one of nine routes the Elan Valley Trust publishes across the estate's 80 miles of rights of way. It runs for 3.5 miles (5.6km) from the visitor centre and climbs above the reservoir, passing the small Nant y Gro dam, which Barnes Wallis breached in 1942 in the explosive trials that led to the Dambusters' bouncing bomb. There are two steep climbs, 40 metres up steps and then 140 metres over about 800 metres, and the reward is a long view along Caban Coch to the Garreg Ddu viaduct. Allow about two hours.
This is a dog friendly walk, but sheep roam freely across the Elan estate, and the Trust asks for all dogs to be on leads or under strict control, so plan on a lead for most of the hillside. The Nant y Gro stream gives a drink on the climb, but the estate's code says no swimming in the reservoirs. There is little shade on the open slopes. The visitor centre at the start is dog friendly and has a cafe, toilets, a picnic area and a pay car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.6 km (3.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Elan Valley Visitor Centre (listed as dog friendly): cafe, toilets, shop, picnic area and play area.
- Parking
- Elan Valley Visitor Centre car park, Elan Valley Trust, parking charges apply.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Elan Valley: Caban Coch and Nant y Gro Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in PowysFrequently Asked Questions
Is Elan Valley: Caban Coch and Nant y Gro Walk dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the Nant y Gro walk and the Elan Valley Visitor Centre at the start of the route is dog friendly too, with a cafe, toilets, a picnic area and a shop. We've rated this walk 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness — a solid choice, though the lead requirement and open, shadeless terrain are worth factoring in when you plan your visit.
Can dogs be off lead at Elan Valley: Caban Coch and Nant y Gro Walk?
This is a lead walk for most of the route, because sheep roam freely across the Elan estate and the Elan Valley Trust asks that all dogs are kept on leads or under strict control throughout. Plan for your dog to be on lead for the hillside sections in particular — it's a requirement of the estate's code rather than just a recommendation.
What should I know before visiting Elan Valley: Caban Coch and Nant y Gro Walk with my dog?
The walk is 3.5 miles (5.6km) with two steep climbs — 40 metres up steps and then 140 metres over around 800 metres — so it's worth making sure your dog is comfortable on hilly terrain before you set off. The Nant y Gro stream offers a natural drinking stop on the climb, but dogs cannot swim in the reservoirs, and there's little shade on the open slopes, so bring water on warm days. Parking at the visitor centre car park is pay and display.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk9.7 mi awayIrfon Forest: Cwm Irfon Trail from White Bridge
Powys
A short riverside loop above Llanwrtyd Wells where dogs paddle and roam off lead beside the clear Afon Irfon, ending at a picnic spot.
Walk11.4 mi awayHafod Estate Lady's Walk
Ceredigion
An 18th century wooded valley circuit at Hafod, where dogs can roam off lead among the trees while their owners take in Thomas Johnes' romantic landscape design.
Walk14.5 mi awaySource of the Severn from Hafren Forest
Powys
Follow the infant River Severn through Hafren Forest, where dogs paddle and roam off lead, past Blaen Hafren Falls to its source high on Pumlumon.
Walk14.5 mi awayPumlumon Fawr from Eisteddfa Gurig
Ceredigion
The easiest route up Pumlumon Fawr, a lead walk for dogs past a stream and old mine workings to a wild summit with huge Cambrian Mountains views.
Walk14.7 mi awayCors Caron Boardwalk and Bog Hide
Ceredigion
A flat, fully accessible boardwalk for dogs on leads across one of Britain's finest raised peat bogs near Tregaron, ending at a hide over the Teifi floodplain.
Walk16.7 mi awayBwlch Nant yr Arian Ridgetop Trail
Ceredigion
A heather ridge and forest circuit above the Melindwr Valley where dogs stretch their legs off lead, while red kites are fed daily by the lake below.