Our 5 Top Scenic Walks In Ceredigion

 

Rich in history, dramatic landscapes and stunning coastal routes, there are lots of scenic walks in Ceredigion. This county in Mid Wales has upland routes skirting the Cambrian Mountains, circular walks through woodland gorges, hikes along cliff tops and countryside rambles along well-trodden paths. Ready to explore them all? These are the 5 top places to walk in Ceredigion.

Spirit of the Miners walks

While the coalfields of the south are the traditional image of mining in Wales, the lands of Ceredigion have long been scoured for copper, lead, zinc and silver. The Spirit of the Miners is a regeneration project, part of which involved creating a walking trail in Ceredigion to explore what remains of the remote mines and settlements that were home to the people who worked them.

The route, also known as the Mal Evans Way, is split into six distinct circular walks of around seven miles, each with its own character. Follow in the footsteps of the mountain miners on paths that cross river gorges and marshy uplands. Climb hills that once echoed with clanging and powder blasts or follow parts of the Vale of Rheidol Railway that once carried ore down to the coast. 

Along the way, the ruined villages, mineshafts, chimneys and abandoned slag heaps tell the story of the miners who were employed here, often from the age of seven, before the industry collapsed in the 20th century.

The Devil’s Bridge walks

The Devil’s Bridge is a popular beauty spot where the Vale of Rheidol Railway terminates. You can catch the train from Aberystwyth or one of the station stops along its 12-mile route to reach the Devil’s Bridge, with several walking trails on offer once you get here. Walks lead through the ancient wooded valley to the five-tiered drops and cascades, culminating in the 300-foot Mynach Waterfalls.

The circular nature trail will take around 45 minutes, while the Three Bridges and Punchbowl Trail is just a short 10-minute stroll. Both have quite steep steps, so sturdy footwear and good climbing legs are a must.

There are also longer walks that can be taken from Devil’s Bridge to explore the upper Rheidol Valley, including the mining village of Ystumtuen, Ysbyty Cynfyn and its mysterious stone circle and the 1810 masonry arch built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of George III.

Explore Ceredigion from one of these campsites in Aberystwyth 

Cors Caron boardwalk and nature trails

Cors Caron is one of many nature reserves in Ceredigion. This vast area of protected wetland, peat bog, farmland, rivers and streams is in the valley of the river Teifi near Tregaron.

There are walks of varying lengths throughout the reserve. A boardwalk trail allows easy access to the hides, where you can spot the dozens of species of waterfowl and other birds that flock to this 2,000-acre site. 

The reserve teams with wildlife, insects and rare plant life. Bees, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies dance among the tall grasses, reeds and wildflowers, while curlews call and otters and water voles dart along the waterways. When the red kite neared extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries, this area of Wales was one of the few places where the bird of prey could still be found. Today, the red kite is a common sight above Cors Caron.

Book your stay at a campsite near Tregaron

Find more places to spot nature in our Ultimate Camping Guide to Mid Wales

The Hafod Estate: Lady’s Walk and Gentleman's Walk

The Hafod Estate was laid out by Thomas Johnes in the late 18th century. The MP, author and landscape architect built a mansion house here that burned down in 1807. Undeterred, Johnes built a new home that took three years to complete, but it was sadly demolished in the 1950s after falling into disrepair.

The grounds of the Hafod Estate became a popular destination during its creator’s lifetime for genteel visitors to this part of Wales seeking nature in a managed landscape. Johnes oversaw the planting of some three million trees on the estate, which is also notable for its parkland, bridges and waterfalls. 

There are several walking routes on the Hafod Estate, including two circular walks that were designed by Johnes and named to reflect attitudes to physical exertion at the time.

The Lady’s Walk is a little over two miles and follows a route through gentle parkland, wooded valleys and streams. The Gentleman’s Walk is double in length and the more challenging of the pair, taking in wilder scenery with steep climbs to reach the impressive Cavern Cascade.

The Ceredigion Coast Path

The 60-mile Ceredigion Coast Path links seaside settlements, ancient harbours and sandy beaches with routes along the various clifftop stretches between the Teifi and Dyfi estuaries. You could walk the entire path during a week’s hiking and camping holiday in Ceredigion, or just pick a section that catches your fancy.

Spot bottlenose dolphins and porpoises as you walk up the isolated conical peak above Mwnt with its sailors’ chapel. Linger at Llangrannog, where steep cliffs plunge into the Irish sea and fascinating rock formations rise above the waves. Pull in for a pitstop at pretty fishing harbours like New Quay, the town immortalised in the works of Dylan Thomas. 

Pick your coastal pitches from campsites in or around Borth, New Quay, Cardigan Bay, Aberaeron or Aberporth

 

If shoreline strolls are your thing, pick a spot from our guide to the best beaches in Ceredigion.