RAIL chiefs are hoping that being named in the top ten train rides in Europe by world famous travel guide Lonely Planet last month will boost tourism in Powys.

The Heart of Wales railway line, described as “a spectrum of scenery” that alternates from the sand-edged estuaries of South Wales to one of England’s prettiest medieval cities, was ranked among the top ten train rides in Europe for 2024 by Lonely Planet in January.

The Heart of Wales hopes the article will see more visitors hop aboard and visit the Mid Wales region, and it is looking to capitalise.

Owen Griffkin, the Heart of Wales line’s community rail partnership officer, said: “It was wonderful to see the Heart of Wales Line included as one of the top ten rail journeys in Europe.

County Times: Dolau, near Llandrindod, is one of the Radnorshire stops on the Heart of Wales line. Dolau, near Llandrindod, is one of the Radnorshire stops on the Heart of Wales line. (Image: None)

“We are very proud of the railway and to see it gaining global recognition as one of the most scenic routes in Europe is something we can celebrate.

“Articles like this will drive more tourism to the area and provide economic benefits to communities all along the line, and we will be looking to capitalise on this in our next Community Rail Partnership activity plan.”

Others on the prestigious Lonely Planet list include the Le Petit Train Juane in the French Pyrenees, the Berina Express in Switzerland and the Brenner Railway, passing through Germany, Austria and Italy.

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Running between Swansea and Shrewsbury, a full trip on the Heart of Wales line takes 4 hours and covers nearly 200km (121 miles), passing through Knighton, Knucklas, Llangynllo, Llanbister Road, Dolau, Penybont and Llandrindod Wells in Radnorshire; and Builth Road, Cilmeri, Garth, Llangammarch, Llanwrtyd and Sugar Loaf in Breconshire.

Marie Daly, chief customer and culture officer at Transport for Wales (TfW), said: “The Heart of Wales line is a beautiful rural railway that is popular with day trippers and walkers.

“It also provides vital links for the rural communities in Mid Wales and the Borders.

“It’s great to be recognised internationally by Lonely Planet and I’d encourage visitors to take a ride and enjoy the experience of dramatic mountains, forests, wild rivers and the quaint towns and villages of Shropshire, Powys, Carmarthenshire and Swansea.”   

“At TfW we’re on a journey to improve public transport and also to encourage people to choose sustainable travel.
“For those visiting and interested, please visit www.walesonrails.co.uk to see the many wonderful places and attractions within Wales and how they can be accessed using public transport.”

County Times: The remote and infrequently used Sugar Loaf stop, near Llanwrtyd Wells, is described by Lonely Planet as the best bit of the Heart of Wales line. The remote and infrequently used Sugar Loaf stop, near Llanwrtyd Wells, is described by Lonely Planet as the best bit of the Heart of Wales line. (Image: Google Street View)

The Lonely Planet article, published in January, says of the Heart of Wales line: “This is Swansea to Shrewsbury the slow and, frankly, surreal way.

“This one-carriage train traverses track through Wales and England that might easily have been consigned to a museum or an out-of-print book, but that has somehow defied time and logic to survive as a passenger route.

“Expect a spectrum of scenery, alternating from the sand-edged estuaries of South Wales, via bucolic farming towns and tracts of forest and hill country you probably never knew existed, through to one of England’s prettiest medieval cities.

“This four-hour, 34-station zigzag passes almost no major sights or countryside villages, but a very high concentration of spectacularly zany ones.”

And Lonely Planet’s best bit of the journey? “Disembarking at lonely Sugar Loaf Station for a walk or picnic around the iconic nearby knoll of the same name.”