Long Distance Trails

There are a number of long distance trails running through Powys

Offa's Dyke

Offa's Dyke: 168 miles (270 km) Chepstow to Prestatyn:
This route follows the English-Welsh border from Chepstow on the River Severn, passing through the Wye Valley and Shropshire Hills, and ends on the North Welsh coast at Prestatyn. Although the route follows much of the 8th century earthwork build by the Mercian king Offa, many sections are routed away from Offa's Dyke to take a more scenic route - over open hills, through thick woods, across pastoral lowland farms and through the flood plains of the Severn. Offa's Dyke Path is one of the National Trails. A guidebook is published by the Countryside Commission and Aurum Press, written by E. Kay, K. Kay and M. Richards in two volumes: Offa's Dyke Path South - Chepstow to Knighton and Offa's Dyke Path North - Knighton to Prestatyn. A handy 'where to stay' booklet is published by the Offa's Dyke Association:

Offa's Dyke Association
Offa's Dyke Heritage Centre
West Street, Knighton
Powys LD7 1EW

The Wye Valley Walk

The Wye Valley Walk is a way marked path through some of the finest countryside in England and Wales. For 112 miles (180 Km), it follows the river valley between Chepstow in Monmouthshire and Rhayader in Powys, passing through a dramatic limestone gorge in the south, into the rolling countryside of Heredfordshire and onwards into the rugged uplands of Mid Wales. An extension is now open which extends the walk close to the source on Plumlimon and then joins with the Severn Way. Official web site here.

Severn Way: 210 miles: (338 km) Plynlimon to Chepstow:

The River Severn rises on Plynlimon in the wild Cambrian Mountains, then flows north east towards England passing through the Powys towns of Llanidloes, Newtown and Welshpool. Now joined to the Wye Valley Walk. The official site is here

Glyndwr's Way:120 miles: (195 km) Knighton to Welshpool:

The Glyndwr's Way, a new National Trail offers, a scenic route through the hilly countryside of mid-Wales. The route links with the Offa's Dyke Path at Knighton and further north at Welshpool but takes a slightly different route, which takes it as far west as the market town of Machynlleth via Lake Vyrnwy. The Way is set against the scenery in which Owain Glyndwr fought the English in the 14th century. The official website is here Publications:
The guide Owain Glyndwr's Way is written by R. Sale and published by Constable. The Glyndwr's Way (M) Series of 16 route leaflets by and from Powys County Council. 25p each. Accommodation leaflet (A). 10p/SAE.

The Taff Trail: 55 miles: (88 km) Cardiff to Brecon

Walking/cycling route along the Taff valley, linking Cardiff Bay to the Brecon Beacons via Llandaff, Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil. The official site is here.
Maps Landranger 160, 161, 170, 171
Publications
The Taff Trail (M)By Jeff Vinter. Alan Sutton Publishing. £6.99. 

Cambrian Way: Cardiff to Conwy:

Tony Drake's spectacular but demanding coast to coast route through Wales, via the Brecon Beacons, Cader Idris and Snowdonia. For experienced hillwalkers only. 
Maps Landranger 115, 124, 135, 146/147, 160, 161, 171.
The Cambrian Way Walkers Association is at Llanerchindda Farm, Cynghordy, Llandovery SA20 0NB.
Publications 
Cambrian Way: The Mountain Connoisseur's Walk(MA) by A. J. Drake - author, publisher and enquiries. £4.50. Also available plus p&p; from RA central office.

Other shorter routes include

Ann Griffiths Walk
Runs for 7 miles along the Vyrnwy Valley from Pont Llogel Pont to Robert (11 miles west of Welshpool), it can be joined with part of Glyndwr's way to give a grand 16 mile figure of eight route. The walk is named after Ann Griffiths an 18th century hymn writer who took inspiration from from the beautiful local landscapes.

Kerry Ridgeway
An ancient drovers route 15.5 miles long from Cider House Farm (SO 109847), Kerry to Bishops castle in England. The route follows a ridge overlooking England from one side and wales from the other. From the ridge springs the source of the rivers Ithon, Mule, Teme and the oddly sounding river Unk. Leaflets for these and other walks can be found in any Powys Tourist Information Office.