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Details
Hiking with Welsh Mountain pack ponies as companions trekking the old green lanes, bridleways and drovers roads through the Radnor Hills and across the wilds of the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales.
ABOUT HOOFTREK
Hooftrek have a small herd of semi feral Welsh Mountain ponies trained to carry overnight camping equipment. Through this pack pony initiative Hooftrek aim to raise the profile of the feral herds living on the uplands of Wales to continue their presence in the Welsh hills which is currently seriously in decline.
Hooftrek have been working with reputed 'horse whisperer' John Jones to learn Natural Horsemanship techniques for training the Hooftrek Herd. This is a gentle and respectful approach, allowing each pony the time he or she needs to gain confidence in each element of life as a pack pony.
By training and equipping the ponies as pack animals Hooftrek hope to give them a purpose - and a therefore a value - as companions for visitors trekking the old green lanes, bridleways and drovers roads through the Radnor Hills and across the wilds of the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales.
THE RADNOR HILLS. CAMBRIAN MOUNTAINS & MYNDD EPPYNT
The Radnor Hills and Cambrian Mountains are vast, beautiful stretches of countryside that you have immediate access to from Hooftrek HQ. The trails lie between the English border with Mid-Wales and the Welsh Coast. These trails follow one of the few unspoilt hidden gems of landscapes. You can often walk all day with your only trail mates being the sheep, buzzards, field fares, red kites and the majestic little herds of wild Welsh Mountain ponies.
Opening details
Season Dates | Opening Hours |
---|---|
Sat 1 May - Sun 31 Oct 2021 | Mon - Sun |
Prices
prices start from £80 per day per person (min 2 people) to a whole 10 day trail through the hills to the coast - please see website for full details.
Address
Wernos,
Erwood,
Powys,
LD2 3TX
Directions
Map reference: SO 099406 Lat: 52.05715 Long: -3.31536
By car: Directions to Hooftrek
Postcode is LD2 3TX but satnavs do not work for the last couple of miles
Travelling from Builth Wells direction: (NB Hooftrek is approx. 10 miles from Builth)
From Builth Wells take A470 to Erwood which is a small hamlet.
Builth Wells to Erwood is 7 miles
Past Wheelwright Arms in Erwood on your right (the postcode for the pub is LD2 3EQ)
Continue on A470 for 1.5 miles On right – you will see a hanging sign with a large W on at the start of this road. Turn right at this sign.
Carry on uphill for 1 mile until you come to a fork in the road. Take the left hand fork. Keep on this road for half mile – through gate onto stony lane –
Welcome to Hooftrek Yard.
Travelling From Hereford direction
From Clyro – Take A438 Baskerville Hall on your right (postcode for this hotel is Hr3 5LE)
Continue on A438
After 4 miles go through hamlet of Glasbury.
Over river bridge to T Junction
Turn right (still on A438)
Drive for 1 mile to right hand turn onto A4079 signposted Builth Wells
Follow this road to a roundabout and take second exit, you will then be in Llyswen. (please check your speed through Llyswen as there are often speed cameras on this stretch of road).
Griffin Inn on your left postcode for this pub is LD3 0UR
Drive for 2.5 miles, stone cottage on left .The road to Hooftrek is the next left which has a hanging sign W
Carry on uphill for 1 mile until you come to a fork in the road. Take the left hand fork.
Keep on this road for half mile – through gate onto stony lane – Welcome to Hooftrek Yard.
From Brecon/Abergavenny direction.
Turn left at the T Junction with Griffin Inn on your left. The postcode for Griffin Inn is LD3 0UR
(please check your speed through Llyswen as there are often speed cameras on this stretch of road).
Through Llyswen then you will be on the A470.
Drive for 2.5 miles, stone cottage on left .The road to Hooftrek is the next left which has a hanging sign W
Carry on uphill for 1 mile until you come to a fork in the road. Take the left hand fork.
Keep on this road for half mile – through gate onto stony lane – Welcome to Hooftrek Yard.
Parking: free
Nearby
Facilities
Baby changing facilities
Facilities for groups
Facilities for educational visits
Welcome Host
Accepts groups
Children welcome
Smoking not allowed