Itinerary Planner

Cambrian Mountains Drive | Rhayader to Tregaron via Devil's Bridge

A day's drive across the Cambrian Mountains, the high, empty moorland between the Wye valley and the Ceredigion hills. The route goes from Rhayader over the mountain road to Devil's Bridge, then south through the Ystwyth valley to Strata Florida and Tregaron. It's about 50 miles, but allow a full day for the stops. The roads are quiet, narrow in places, and there are almost no petrol stations, so fill up in Rhayader.

Morning: Rhayader and the red kites

Rhayader is a small market town on the River Wye, with cafes and a hardware shop that sells almost everything. Gigrin Farm, just south of the town, feeds red kites every afternoon, so either come back later or call in on the return trip. Take the mountain road west out of town, which climbs past the Elan valley turning and over open hill with views for miles.

Late morning: Hafod and Devil's Bridge

Drop into the Ystwyth valley and stop at the Hafod Estate near Pontrhydygroes, where Thomas Johnes laid out woodland walks, waterfalls and viewpoints in the late 1700s. The waymarked paths range from a short stroll to a few hours. Carry on to Devil's Bridge for the waterfalls, where three bridges stand one above the other over the Mynach gorge. The circular walk down to the falls and back takes about 45 minutes, with steep steps.

Afternoon: Strata Florida and Teifi Pools

Head south to Pontrhydfendigaid and Strata Florida Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century and the burial place of the poet Dafydd ap Gwilym. The visitor centre explains the site. If there's time, take the narrow road east from the village up to the Teifi Pools, a group of upland lakes that feed the River Teifi.

Evening: Tregaron

End in Tregaron, an old drovers' town. Walk the boardwalk over Cors Caron, one of the largest raised bogs in Britain, just north of the town, then eat and stay at Y Talbot on the square, a 13th-century drovers' inn with rooms and a restaurant.

Good to know

• Mobile signal is patchy across the mountains. Download maps before you set off.
• Sheep graze on the unfenced roads. Drive slowly.
• More routes on our scenic car trails page.