Elan Valley > Scenic Drive > Devils Bridge

​How about a day out over to Rhayader and the Elan Valley Reservoirs, then across the B4518 which was voted by the AA as 'One of the 10 best scenic drives in the world! 😲, from there you can drop into Devils Bridge and visit the waterfall, then meander your way back across the Cambrian Mountains back to your accommodation @ Penygelli 😁

Elan Valley: The dams, reservoirs and 73 mile aqueduct of the Elan Valley were built a hundred years ago to supply desperately needed clean water to Birmingham. It was an epic feat of civil engineering set within an area of outstanding scenic beauty.
Today, the dams and reservoirs provide a lasting amenity in their own right for visitors to enjoy as well as safeguarding the natural habitats of numerous species of flora and fauna.

Devils Bridge: Devil's Bridge Falls is a spectacular waterfall attraction at Devils Bridge in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. It is one of the 'Must See' natural features in Wales, located 12 miles inland from the coastal town of Aberystwyth.

The 300ft Mynach Waterfalls are set deep withing the ancient wooded gorge and have attracted many thousands of visitors since the 18th century, including William Wordsworth who wrote about the “Torrent at the Devil’s Bridge”. Today, Devil's Bridge Falls Nature Trail provides a unique opportunity to see this great natural feature in the Mynych (translates as the 'Monks River'), a tributary of the larger Rheidol River, which runs in a deep, wooded valley towards Aberystwyth and the Cardigan Bay coast.

Please note that the Nature Trail Walk is a challenging walk that contains many steep steps and so is not suitable for everyone.and sensible shoes must be worn. All dogs must be kept on the lead and if your dog is large then it may struggle to enter through the turnstile with you. The steep steps are also difficult for dogs with short legs and you may end up having to carry your pet.

Tearooms & Gift shop are at entrance to walks and are open from Mid Spring to October

Rhayader to Devils Bridge Road:

​Many of the fantastic scenic drives in Mid Wales are set against panoramic and breathtaking backdrops and fantastic for motorists who love to explore places off the beaten track and the mountain road from Rhayader to Aberystwyth crosses the spine of the central Cambrian Mountains.

Described by the AA as “one of the 10 best scenic drives in the world”, expect spectacular scenery as you travel the watershed of the Cambrian Mountains. En route, you will pass the fabulous Elan valley reservoirs with its dramatic lakes and dams, the Cwmystwyth mine workings which are arguably one of the most important historical mining areas in Wales.and you will be sure to see the magnificent red kites which soar above this mountain route.

Leaving Rhayader, the B4518 route links the Elan Valley dams and upwards across the central Cambrian Mountains before desending to Cwmystwyth. From there take follow the B4574 to Devil's Bridge where you can travel on to the university town of Aberystwyth on the Mid Wales coast.

On the way explore the Devil’s Bridge Falls and discover the Vale of Rheidol steam train journey between Devil’s Bridge and Aberystwyth following the Rheidol Valley all the way to the centre of Aberystwyth on the Mid Wales coast.

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