Ceredigion
Cardigan Bay's long sandy coastline is dotted with pretty fishing villages like Aberaeron and Llangrannog. It's one of two sites in the UK with a resident population of bottlenose dolphins.
| Terrain | Long Distance Footpaths | OS Map |
|---|
| Cliffs and moderate hills | Ceredigion Coastal Path, Mal Evans Way | Explorer 35, 186, 198 |
Where to go
The coast between New Quay and Cemaes Head has been the area of greatest observer effort over the years, with dolphins often sighted from land in sheltered waters near New Quay, Ynys Lochtyn, Aberporth, Mwnt, and the Teifi Estuary.
Take a dolphin-spotting cruise to Cardigan Island, or keep a sky-wards eye when you're walking to see a red kite hovering overhead.
Highlights
Dyfi Sand Dunes
Walk waymarked paths through the shifting sand dune system at Ynyslas (grid ref SN605925) on a jutting promontory at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary. Dyfi National Nature Reserve information centre at Ynyslas,
Bwlch Nant yr Arian
Two scenic waymarked walks with breathtaking views and an all-ability lakeside trail begin at the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Ponterwyd (grid ref SN745805).
Devil's Bridge
There are good walking opportunities near the terminus of the Vale of the Rheidol railway at Devil’s Bridge. There are four waymarked walks with mountain views from The Arch Picnic Site, (on the B4574 from Devil's Bridge to Cwmystwyth). The car park is just after the stone Arch on the left, approximately two miles from Devil's Bridge (grid ref SN765756).
Plynlimon / Pumlumon
Plynlimon (Pumlumon in Welsh, pronounced “Pimlimmon”) is the highest part of both the Cambrian Mountains and Ceredigion. From its summits can be seen most of the mountains of north and south Wales, and the whole sweep of Cardigan Bay. The most scenic ways to the top start on the west side of Plynlimon, from the Nant-y-moch road (grid reference SN 774881).
Mal Evans Way
This 18-mile waymarked walk links Devil’s Bridge (SN 740770) to the coast at Borth (SN608890) via a fascinating and varied route through deep valleys which, though now green and peaceful, were once the home and workplace of thousands of lead miners and their families.
Rheidol Valley
The Rheidol gorge can be admired from Devil’s Bridge, which is also a good base for exploring it on foot. Highlights of the valley are Parsons Bridge (SN 749790) and the network of delightful paths leading down through oakwood nature reserves to Rheidol falls (SN 709789) and reservoir.
Ystwyth Valley
The Ystwyth valley offers excellent walking throughout its length, the highlights being Hafod (SN 768736), where historic 18th-century paths past waterfalls and rocky gorges have recently been reopened; Maenarthur woods and the airy Miners’ Bridge (SN 738723); and the Pwllpeiran Trail (SN765756) with its panoramic views of the Cambrian Mountains.
Strata Florida and Teifi Pools
From the Abbey ruins at Strata Florida (SN 746658), ancient monks’ routes lead up the valley to the six Teifi Pools. Carreg Naw-llyn (Nine-lake Rock – SN798699) is a short walk to the north, and is one of the best viewpoints in Ceredigion.
Tregaron and the Doethie Valley
The remote Doethie valley is the essence of the wild area known as Elenydd – the “green desert of Wales”. A wonderful five-mile path follows the sparkling river past long-abandoned farms, and can be incorporated in a circular walk from the isolated chapel at Soar-y-mynydd (SN785533) on the mountain road east of Tregaron.
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