8 miles on very quiet lanes, very hilly so fit horse required. Amazing views and wild ponies.
From Llandovery follow the road sign posted to Llyn Brianne. This is lovely road following the stream for much of the way and wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass ( just breath in a bit! ). After a few miles you pass an RSPB reserve and climb up a hill. There is a car park at the top of the hill but a better car park is the next one just before the cattle grid. Follow the road up to the car park and you will be rewarded with a parking spot at the top of the dam with amazing views ( not to mention the loos! ). Lots of space and pretty level.
Riders, walkers and cyclists can cross the dam into the forestry but drivers will need permission and a key ( Natural Resources Wales Llandovery ).
To go on our drive just go back down to the road and turn left and go though the gate next the cattle grid. Beware, from this point on you may meet sheep and wild ponies. Just stick to this road as it follows the reservoir and passes through woodland. There are several gates that will help to keep your groom active.
After about 4 miles you will pull up a long hill and at the top see a forestry sign on the left at the top, turn left here and you will be rewarded with an amazing place to stop for a tipple or a picnic. You can unhitch and walk your horse to the end and have a view down the length of the reservoir.
To return to base you just need to retrace your steps, it is not a problem as the view is quite different the other way. If you fancy more just turn let from the picnic stop and keep following the road as long as you like but you have already done the best bit.
Beware looking at a map and thinking that you can do a loop round the lake and back through the forestry as there is a cattle grid with no gate!
This is a magical drive on a lovely day, watch out for Red Kites overhead and wild ponies, but can be very bleak on a cold wet day ( I know,I’ve done both! )
