Dragon's Tongue
The Dragon's Tongue is an 80 km mountain traverse across mid-Wales from the Cambrian Mountains to the Brecon Beacons — a demanding multi-day route through the least-visited upland terrain in the country.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Dragon's Tongue
The Dragon's Tongue is a challenge route developed by Welsh mountain runners — a traverse from the northern Cambrian Mountains south to the Brecon Beacons covering the remote plateau and ridges of mid-Wales. The terrain is challenging: pathless moorland, blanket bog, and the navigational complexity of featureless upland without clear landmarks.
The route passes through Elan Valley, the Irfon Forest and the northern Beacons approaches. At around 80 km with 3,500 m of ascent, it is a two to three day push through genuinely empty country.
The route
Northern section: Through the Cambrian plateau above the Elan Valley reservoirs.
Central section: Irfon Forest and the Abergwesyn common — some of the most remote terrain in Wales.
Southern section: Into the Beacons via the northern approaches — Mynydd Epynt and the Brecon fringe.
Getting there & logistics
Start/finish: Variable — typically Rhayader (north) to Brecon (south). Both have bus connections.
Best time: June to September. Mid-Wales can be extremely boggy year-round.
Safety
Some of the most remote terrain in Wales — no mobile signal for long sections, minimal rescue access. A PLB is recommended. In an emergency: call 999 or 112, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue. Pre-register SMS 999.
Have you completed Dragon's Tongue?
Log your round — time, date, attempt type, photos. Connect Strava to pull in your activity automatically.
Completions
No completions logged yet — be the first.