Trans-Wales Trail Run

Accommodation

• 4 nights' hotel accommodation

The first hotel is situated in the market town of Newtown, nestled in the valley of the River Severn near the Welsh-English border.

Guided by Tim Higginbottom

International Fell and Trail Runner

Tim is a lifelong mountain adventurer and racer, gaining National honours in 4 separate disciplines. He’s a UKA Fell and Trail coach and has gained the prestigious Mountaineering Instructor Award. He also coaches orienteering and has run navigation training for the Welsh Fell Running Association.

By day, Tim is a secondary school teacher and loves nothing more than sharing his passion for the amazing trails and hills around his home in North East Wales. Over the years he has set many course records in fell, trail and ultra running, held the record for the Paddy Buckley Round for 10 years, and is current Welsh Orienteering Champion.

He has raced successfully in various disciplines around the world and is now trying to pass on his love of the mountains to his 2 young children with the help of his wife, Jenny.

Single room supplement

If you would prefer your own room this can usually be accommodated, though an extra charge would apply and is not possible at the bothy.

Twin rooms

Solo explorers will be matched up with a likeminded traveller to share with as the rooms will be on a twin basis.

Locally-sourced food

Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

Kit list

• Long sleeved running top / t-shirt
• Thin fleece or mid-layer
• Shorts / running tights
• Hat / buff
• Gloves
• Windproof jacket
• Hooded waterproof jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• Warm layers for the evenings
• Trail running shoes
• Head torch – useable, lightweight for running for at least 2 hours
• Rucksack / bumbag – to carry spare clothes, snacks and water while running
• Water bottle
• Dry bag – for inside your rucksack / bum bag
• Personal first aid kit
• Sun hat and cream

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Newtown
Newtown
Powys
UK

Getting there

• By air

  The closest international airports are Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool Airport. It is approximately a 2 hour taxi transfer from these airports to the tour start point in Newtown or alternatively travel by rail to Newtown and follow the By Rail instructions below.

• By rail

  The closest train station to the tour start point in Newtown is Newtown Station. From Newtown Station, it is an 8 minute walk to the tour start point.

• By road

  The tour start point in Newtown is located less than 1.5 hours from the M6 and M53, and less than 3 hours from M4 motorway. Multi-day parking is available at The Gravel or Back Lane car park, payable locally.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival and welcome

  Welcome to Wales! Arrive in the market town of Newtown, close to the Welsh-English border, ready to check into your accommodation from 16.00pm. There is good rail access to Newtown but if you require transfers from the airport, please do contact us to help make arrangements prior to travelling.

  Relax for the afternoon, put your feet up or perhaps take a stroll around Newtown before your first day of trail running begins.

  Your welcome meeting will take place at 18.00 followed by dinner for you and your fellow travellers at the hotel. How better to get to know each other while enjoying wholesome food and a few welsh beers.

• Day 2 | 22 miles

  Pull on your running shoes, after breakfast this morning you will be collected from your accommodation for the first day of your running holiday. Today is the longest run of your trip, totalling 22 miles, guided by Tim Higginbottom. This route will take you along the tops from Felindre to Rhayader through wild and remote countryside with stunning views.

  Enjoy lunch en route as you pass through various small Welsh villages including the historic Abbeycwmhir and continue to the pretty market town of Rhayader.

  Check into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening as you wind down from your day, perhaps starting with a warm shower! Have dinner at one of the local pubs in Rhayader and settle in for the night.

• Day 3 | 18 miles

  After a hearty breakfast to refuel and a kit check, today you’ll head out from the hotel for the next leg of your running holiday. 

  Your run is around 18 miles today and takes you on an ancient high level route which is said to have been developed to link communities of Cistercian monasteries in the 12th Century. This is truly wild country where self-sufficiency is paramount - you are unlikely to see anybody else as you cross this epic moorland area en route for Strata Florida.

  Wildlife abounds up here away from any major settlements in the upper Elan Valley, but the combination of off-road terrain and potential weather could make this the most challenging day of your trip. Keep an eye out for red kites, goshawks and otters on your running holiday.

• Day 4 | 15 miles

  Head out from the hotel after enjoying a hearty breakfast and prepare for your final big day of trail running! Today’s route is less challenging on your weary legs  as you make your way along a repurposed railway to your final destination. 

  The scenery may be different in the valley but it’s no less stunning, and you can enjoy the  chance to cool off in the River Ystwyth en route. This is the shortest and flattest day of your running holiday, which you’ll likely appreciate by this point in your epic journey! 

  As you arrive in Aberystwyth, no border to beach journey would be complete without dipping your toes in the salty water! Then check into your final accommodation ready to enjoy a well-deserved warm shower, a cold pint and a wholesome meal to complete your challenging running holiday.

• Day 5 | Depart

  It’s time to pack your things and say goodbye to your fellow trail runners as you enjoy your final breakfast. Check out is at 10.30am then you'll be transferred back to Newton on the train to keep this human-powered journey as low carbon as possible.

Included

• 4 nights' accommodation
• 3 full days of trail running, guided by Tim Higginbottom
• 4 breakfasts and 2 evening meals
• Voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails
• Professional, local, English-speaking guide
• Daily luggage transfers and return journey to route start point
• 1 native tree planted in the woodland

Caring for the world as you do

This adventure supports local, independent businesses. Local guides are always used – people who will give you a more authentic experience and share the hidden secrets only local adventurers can bring. And because this is their home, they have a truly active interest in caring for their environment.

The carbon footprint of all trips is measured and reduced to be as low as possible. Any carbon that is yet to be mitigated is off-set through a local tree planting project. One tree exceeds what is needed to offset the emissions of your low carbon adventure holiday.

Here is a summary of the Sustainability Policy:

Economic responsibility

• Keeping it local

  Working exclusively with local, independently-owned businesses to ensure your money goes straight into the communities that you're visiting.

• Fair pay for quality service

  Treating partners fairly for the high standards of service they deliver to you, whilst still ensuring value for money.

• Supporting local producers

  Local, independent shops, accommodation, bars and eateries are used and encouraged.

Environmental responsibility

• Low carbon travel

  Ensuring the carbon footprint of this adventure is offset by planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch.

  Responsibility is taken for ensuring the carbon footprint of your travel is offset. By working with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, the unavoidable carbon emissions created by travel are offset, but also new, biodiverse woodland areas within the UK are created that will benefit both the planet and the community. Planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch, is helping to increase the available natural habitat for the UK’s native wildlife. Species such as bullfinches, beavers, the brimstone butterfly and many more are all benefitting from this.

• Avoiding single-use plastics

  Reusable aluminium bottles are provided on arrival at your accommodation and packed lunches use more sustainable wrapping such as paper bags or wax paper wrap.

• Locally sourced food

  Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

• Blue Flag Award

  Partnering with one of the first boat tour operators in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Sustainable Boat Tour Operator status.

Social responsibility

• Small group tours

  The primary concern with tourism in the UK’s wild spaces is to ensure it only has a positive impact on the local communities and culture so for this reason small group trips never exceed 15 guests.

• Live like a local

  Learning the history and culture of a region plays a big role in your travelling experience – it’s what brings a place to life.

• Read the landscape

  The historical significance of the area is brought to life by the local guides who help you understand the features of the landscape.

• Learn the language

  Keeping local languages alive is sacred, so you’re encouraged to learn simple words and phrases during your time on the adventure.

• Understanding farming culture

  Respecting the countryside code and understanding farming practices are important for visitors to the area.

Adventure promise

Making travel better for everyone

The Adventure Promise is simple and honest. It’s the commitment that this challenge will always do right by you, local communities and the world we live in:

• Payment Instalments
• Flexible Booking
• Low Carbon
• Low Impact
• Support Local
• All Abilities
• Covid Secure

Costs