Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Tregaron SY25 6NR Wales
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#1 of 1 hostel in Tregaron
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The Elenydd is an area in the southern Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales, between Llanwrtyd Wells and Tregaron. It is a wild and beautiful place, with silence broken only by a gurgling stream, the bleating of sheep or the call of a bird. It is a wonderful area for outdoor activities like walking and cycling, an ideal place to escape from the pressures of the modern world.Simple youth hostels have provided accommodation here for many years and have always been popular with walkers and cyclists. They are in isolated and stunning locations and have been run by volunteer wardens for many years.The Youth Hostels Association closed the last three of these hostels in 2006, but we have managed to save two of them - Ty'n Cornel and Dolgoch. They are both converted farmhouses in the hills and are full of character. And you can help to keep them open by visiting them!
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39Reviews0Q+A3Room tips
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Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
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I arrived at this hostel after a very wet walk in from Pontrhydfendigaid to the North (it quite often literally involved walking in a river). Stepping into the hostel after all that was like heaven: a friendly welcome, warm fire, cup of tea., who could ask for more! The hostel is small, and very much like hostels from the good old days: bunks in rooms, shared facilities, There is no mains electricity. There was a small range of food you could buy and cook up yourself in the kitchen (not sure if any food is guaranteed). As for advice on getting there under your own steam: I found walking the "path" down to the hostel from the North pretty tough going, Perhaps it would have been more fun to wade through endless rivers if the weather had been sunny, but it was not. However, the hostel is also accessible by road from the South, East and West, from which directions I expect it would be a great place to cycle to. Certainly this would be true if coming up from from Llandovery to the South. Many thanks to Di the volunteer warden who was so welcoming, and thank you to all the volunteers and to the Trustees that have worked so hard to keep this wonderful place going!…
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Date of stay: July 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Just enjoyed a week at this extremely remote older style basic Hostel. Amazing scenery and if you get a cloudless night, fantastic place to view stars, as Dark Sky area with no light pollution. Can be a bit tricky to get to, as very narrow roads, but worth the effort.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Need to check availability, as sometimes block booked for parties.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The location is in a beautiful valley and the misty views in the mornings are stunning. The warden there was very kind. They have a small area where it is possible to camp and I would highly recommend camping there or staying in the hostel.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Gillian Keen, Marketing at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 16 Mar 2022
Thank you for your kind review! So pleased you loved the hostel and area as much as we, the volunteer mangers, do!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
After a long, hot, day's walking the hostel was an oasis. The warden (Catherine) had contacted me in advance to see if there was any food or provisions I needed, as I was walking, carrying all my supplies, for 5 days. It was so lovely to have fresh fruit and a big mug of tea with milk! I had the camp "field" all to myself - a level, freshly mowed spot, with views of the ponies and their foals in the adjacent field. The camping area was provided with timber rails which were invaluable for airing bedding and tent before packing away. Despite Covid restrictions I was able to have my own shower and toilet cubicle. I will definitely return with family in tow, in order to explore this stunningly beautiful and remarkably quiet part of the country. There are infinite possibilities for walking in the area, with footpaths, tracks and bridleways, as well as Access Land close by.…
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Date of stay: June 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Gillian Keen, Marketing at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 16 Mar 2022
We look forward to welcoming you back with your family!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Astonishing hostel, a quite superb experience. The peace of the setting, the nature close at hand (for example, the horses in the adjacent field, the many birds feasting at the table outside my window), the views, the walks...if you are looking for somewhere to take you away from the hustle and grind and sometimes sheer madness of modern living then this is definitely the place. It is run on eco-lines and is essentially off-grid. I say "essentially" as there is a phone line, but there is no electricity, gas mains or water mains and definitely no TV, Radio or wi-fi. Solar panels provide hot water for the shower, a gas canister supplied the fuel to heat my beans on the hob. It's bring your own food btw. The house is over three hundred years old, the large kitchen/living room is dominated by a huge log-burner which I imagine gives great warmth in the winter. It's all basic. It's all fantastic. Warden John gave me a friendly welcome and explained about the running of the place. Due to the pandemic restrictions he was the only other person at the hostel during my three days there. I will be back next year for sure when I also intend to visit the sister hostel which I understand is closer to Tregaron. Thanks for being there and for even being open at all at this difficult time. It shows great dedication from the many volunteers who run the place to keep this project going. Total respect to all concerned.…
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Date of stay: June 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Gillian Keen, Marketing at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 17 Mar 2022
Thank you for your glowing review! We are now taking more bookings, but no dormitory sharing. We look forward to your next visit!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It is an amazing place for relax , to stay away from the traffic and the noise of a big city. Very good place for walkers and bicycles , also for off-road motorbikes :) I recomend to visit this hostel to everyone who likes wild nature , mountains and queiet time with friends or families .
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Gillian K, Manager at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 9 Oct 2019
Thank you for your kind review and so glad you enjoyedyour stay. We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as possible!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed for two nights. The beauty of Dolgoch's setting, and the sense of all-powerful nature, makes it a very special place, and one gains a very strong sense of what it must have been like to live one hundred years ago in such an isolated spot. Rachael was the warden during our stay, and she and her family gave as a particularly kind and warm welcome, and also a good guide to the surrounding area. A stay in Dolgoch is a very unique experience, and leaves you with an enhanced sense of what is important in life - strongly recommended for anyone with a sense of adventure. J + Y.
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Date of stay: August 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Gillian K, Manager at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 18 Aug 2019
Thank you for your kind review and so glad you loved the hostel and the whole area as much as we, the Dolgoch volunteers do. it is, indeed, a very special place!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Such a great place, stunning location with a real ‘middle of nowhere’ feel to it, just getting there feels an adventure in itself! Inside there’s everything you need, the effort that’s been put in by the team is evident everywhere you look, with mountains of local info and tit bits of knowledge on hand, you could spend days reading through it all. Thanks to all the volunteers who make this possible. I’m sure I’ll be back again soon!
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Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Gillian K, Manager at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 1 May 2019
Paul, thank you for your great review! All we volunteers love the hostel and the whole area as much as you did! Let us know if you would like to join us!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Many people will write about the beautiful location however, I would like to comment on John - one of the many wardens who keep Ty Cornel and Dolgoch functioning with such love and care. We arrived at Dolgoch, late, tired and wet and were met by John who welcomed us with a hot cup of tea, slices of his bara brith and a warming fire. Perfect! He even offered home made pear tart to all in the evening. John made an effort to make us comfortable and even heated up water for our shower in the morning. The hostel was very clean and organised with a big emphasis on recycling. All in all, a wonderful stay and thank you John.
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Gillian K, Manager at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 23 Aug 2018
Tyank you for your lovely review of our great little hostel. I will ensure that John, one of our many volunteer wardens reads this - he will be delighted! Gill
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed at Dolgoch with my brother, sister-in-law and our two 17 year old sons. It really was a trip back in time for my brother and I as we used to be frequent visitors as children, 35 years or so ago! In those days we used to cycle from our home in Lampeter. This time we walked the 10 miles from Tregaron in very drizzly, misty conditions, but had a vastly different return walk the next day with beautiful sunshine which gave us the opportunity of appreciating the wonderful views. The hostel itself hasn’t changed much since we last visited, which is a very good thing, as it is perfect just as it is. It was lovely to sit in front of the wood burner in minimal light playing board games. Despite the lack of phone signal and internet, our teenagers survived and did actually enjoy themselves! We stayed in the family room and although it was very cold outside, we were warm enough under duvets and blankets. The volunteer wardens, John and Helen made us very welcome - it’s great that there are such people willing to help keep such an amazing place running. All in all, our brief stay has left us with more fond memories and hopefully we will visit again soon (especially since we were given ‘Green’ discount vouchers for our next stay as we arrived on foot).…
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Date of stay: April 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Chris C, Public Relations Manager at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Responded 9 Apr 2018
Thank you very much for your brilliant review and so pleased you loved our hostel as much as we do and the volunteers who keep it running. We look forward to your next visit!.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
YHA Dolgoch Bunkhouse
LOCATION
United KingdomWalesCeredigionTregaron
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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Frequently Asked Questions about Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel
Is parking available at Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Is Elenydd Wilderness Hostels - Dolgoch Hostel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.