Cambrian Mountains

The Cambrian Mountains are an extensive upland area in central Wales, covering moorland plateaux, rounded hills and river valleys across a scattered landscape. The region is noted for sparsely populated terrain, upland grazing, blanket bogs and reservoir systems rather than a single, continuous mountain chain.

Key landscape features include the Plynlimon massif (Pumlumon), which reaches the region’s highest heights and is the source of the Rivers Severn and Wye, and managed catchments such as the Elan Valley reservoirs with their Victorian dams. The area has long been valued for water supply, upland ecology and long-distance walking routes.

The Cambrian Mountains sit inland in mid-Wales and are reached from towns such as Aberystwyth, Rhayader and Newtown; much of the area is remote and suited to multi-day field trips rather than short urban visits.

• Landscape character: The Cambrian Mountains are a loosely defined upland region rather than a single ridge, so expect remote moorland plateaux, steep river valleys and few large towns.
• River sources: Plynlimon is the source area for several major rivers including the Severn and the Wye, making it hydrologically significant in Britain.

What to See #

• Plynlimon (Pumlumon): Plynlimon (Pumlumon) plateau, the highest massif in the region at about 752 metres, which is the source area for the rivers Severn and Wye.
• Elan Valley reservoirs: The Elan Valley reservoirs and Victorian-era dams, a managed watershed with roads, visitor centres and trails constructed to supply drinking water to English cities.