Dyfi Valley and Machynlleth

Pennal

A village on the Dyfi with a Roman fort site, a church where Glyndŵr wrote to the King of France, and hill paths above the valley.

Distance: 3.7 mi / 6 km
Time: 2 hr 5
Ascent: 200 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Shape: Circular

Where it is

The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.

The route

Field paths and lanes climb up behind the village onto the hillside and return by the river. Gentle with one climb.

Worth knowing

The Pennal Letter of 1406, sent from here to Charles VI of France, set out Glyndŵr’s vision for an independent Wales.
The Roman fort of Cefn Caer is on private land but the earthworks are visible from the lane.
The church has a facsimile of the letter on display.

What you’ll see

The church and the Pennal Letter, the fort earthworks, and the Dyfi valley.

Background

Glyndŵr’s letter to France proposed two Welsh universities and an independent Welsh church, and is one of the key documents of the revolt.