The lovely Elan Valley lakes of Mid Wales are well worth visiting, not only for their outstanding beauty but because the roads leading to and around the area feel as if they were designed specifically for motorcycles.

Elan valley has five lakes Caban Coch, Garreg-Ddu, Pen-y-Garreg, Craig-Goch and the more recent Claerwen reservoir. Often described as 'Wales best kept secret', this remote system of valleys and Victorian dams is a spectacular mixture of man-made architecture and natural beauty.

There is a visitors centre that's worth a visit (makes a perfect starting point) if only to use the toilets and to grab a drink from the cafe. If you have plenty of time there are loads of information about the surrounding area, it's history, and the wildlife that inhabits the area. Almost 80% of the estate is contained 12 separately designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and over 11 species of bird of prey have been sighted around the area including Peregrine Falcons, Siskin & Red Kites.