Discover Libanus: walking trails, nature and history

Above the village of Libanus is the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Visitor Centre. From there, trails cross Mynydd Illtyd; a geotrail runs across the Common and through the Traeth Mawr nature reserve. These specific routes give your trip planning a practical starting point. Consider whether you want to devote most of your time to the trails and landscape, or also plan a riding route and other guided activities.

Trails across Mynydd Illtyd

The geotrail connects the Common with the Traeth Mawr nature reserve: it runs across the Common and through the reserve. This makes it a specific option if you want to base your exploration on a named trail. Other trails cross Mynydd Illtyd, so the geotrail is not your only reference point for planning.

The Visitor Centre provides a free all-terrain Terrain Rider for exploring Mynydd Illtyd. It is intended for two-hour sessions, which must be booked in advance. Check booking availability before your visit, as advance-booking arrangements may change. The duration also gives you a fixed reference point when adding the visit to your day’s plans.

The Terrain Rider and the trails are two different ways to plan your exploration of Mynydd Illtyd. If you are interested in the Terrain Rider, bear the two-hour session and the advance-booking requirement in mind as you prepare. If you choose the geotrail, it runs across the Common and through Traeth Mawr. This lets you plan around either a specific route or what the Visitor Centre offers.

Riding route along the western flank of the Black Mountains

A route with clear details is also described for horse riding: it is 35 miles long, follows the western flank of the Black Mountains, uses lowland and upland bridleways, and ends at the National Park Visitor Centre in Libanus. The route is part of the National Bridleroute Network, developed by the British Horse Society.

Unlike the trails across Mynydd Illtyd, here the riding route’s length and endpoint are the specific points of reference for planning. The 35 miles indicate the extent of the route; the trails at the Visitor Centre and the geotrail are separate reference points for planning your outings. If you are considering a riding trip, check the route arrangements in advance, as they may change.

History and guided outdoor activities

The hillfort of Twyn y Gaer is associated with Iron Age settlement. This historical connection offers a different perspective on the trip than a trail description or the length of a riding route: the focus here is on the early settlement associated with the site.

At Argoed Lwyd Outdoor Activities, guided activities include caving, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, gorge walking and mountain walking. Argoed Lwyd lies below the slopes of Pen y Fan. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, confirm availability before booking. The selection includes a range of activities, so choose based on what you actually want to do.

Choose a holiday rental to suit your itinerary

When looking for a holiday rental in Libanus, your trip’s focus can be a useful starting point. If you mainly want to explore the trails across Mynydd Illtyd, the Visitor Centre above the village and the geotrail through Traeth Mawr are specific reference points. For a riding trip, however, the 35-mile route and its endpoint at the Visitor Centre are what matter. These differences can help you plan your days without treating the trails and riding route as one and the same outing.

If you want to combine several interests, keep the relevant conditions in mind: the Terrain Rider requires advance booking for two-hour sessions; availability of guided activities at Argoed Lwyd should be confirmed before booking.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Llanfyllin, Llandrindod Wells, Erwood, Glasbury, Newtown, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant, Knighton, Llanwern.

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