The Ystwyth Valley: The B4574 from Devil’s Bridge takes you across into the neighbouring valley of Cwmystwyth (vale of Ystwyth) where beautiful mountain scenery combines with the lonely remains of its industrial past dating back more than three and a half thousand years. Described as ‘one of the most spectacular mining landscapes in Britain’, today, agriculture combined with tourism are the main industries.

The scenic and lonely mountain road from Cwmystwyth will take you across to the beautiful reservoirs of the Elan Valley but taking the B4574 towards Pontrhydygroes (a quaint village tucked into the hillside) will take you close to the historic and very beautiful Hafod Estate. Thomas Johnes MP landscaped the grounds in the picturesque school between 1783 - 1815 planting between 5-6 million trees. The Hafod Church car park, off the B4574 is the best place to follow some of Thomas Johnes’ original walks with fine vistas, streams and waterfalls. The mansion house itself was deemed unsafe and demolished in 1958 but the ruins can still be seen.

From Pontrhydygroes a scenic drive links up with the B4340 to Aberystwyth. Turn off at the Trawscoed Bridge and you will find Llwyn Du (Black Covert), a sheltered picnic place in mature broadleaf woodland setting, beside the Ystwyth river. The river’s shallow spots provide a cool place to play on a hot summer’s day but there is also a pleasant and gentle riverside walk.

A more demanding walk starts from the Llwyn Du car park and follows the waymarkers back along the public road. This leads uphill through the woods to the ancient hill fort site of Allt-Fedw (Birchgrove) from which panoramic views may be enjoyed across rolling hills and valleys.

The lovely setting of Nanteos (stream of the nightingale) Mansion, (above) built 1739 and steeped in history, can be viewed from the road (B4340) three miles from Aberystwyth.

The A487 south of Aberystwyth is a coastal route, with beautiful views of the bay and coastline, that takes you through villages such as Llanrhystud with its pleasant beach, Llanon built on a raised beach with the old cliff line distinctly visible and Aberaeron a quaint and small Georgian harbour town designed by John Nash. He also designed Llanerchaeron Mansion and gardens which is situated some 2 miles from Aberaeron and can also be reached via a traffic-free cycleway and footpath. Now owned by the National Trust the mansion is well worth a visit.

Inland, for spectacular scenery it is well worth visiting Mynydd Bach (small mountain) and the lake known as Llyn Eiddwen. Take a left turn at the village of Llanfarian and then a right along the B4576 to the village of Llangwyryfon where you should again take a right and then a left which takes you through the village of Trefenter. The road is both narrow and steep but well worth the trouble. A plaque on the mountain top pays tribute to the poets of the area.

Take the A44 east from Aberystwyth following the Rheidol river and take a right in the village of Capel Bangor to take you along the lower reaches of the lovely Rheidol valley. En route the Rheidol Power Station and Visitor Centre will provide you with information regarding the Hydro Electric Power scheme which involves not only the reservoir in the valley itself but also the Nant-y-Moch and Dinas reservoirs on the upper reaches of the Rheidol. (These can be reached by turning left off the A44 in the village of Ponterwyd along the signposted ‘scenic route’). A café in the Visitor Centre provides light refreshments.

Approximately 20 minutes east from town on the A44 Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian forestry centre, from its high vantage point, provides spectacular views of the Rheidol valley and numerous marked walks. There is a café and visitor centre overlooking the lake which will provide you with an opportunity to view the rare red kite’s nest.  Red kites are fed on the lakeside daily.

Nearby are the Llywernog Silver - Lead mines. The museum here will give you an insight into the history of an industry that dominated North Ceredigion in the latter half of the 1800s and which influenced both landscape and people. There is an underground tour as well as the opportunity to pan for silver.

A right turn at the village of Ponterwyd will take you along the A4120 to Devil’s Bridge (Pontarfynach). This popular destination, which can also be reached by the Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railway from Aberystwyth, combines both idyllic beauty and folk legend. The main attraction are the three spectacular bridges, one built on top of another spanning the churning river Mynach which drops 300 feet to join the river Rheidol. The oldest and lowest bridge was apparently built by the monks of Strata Florida Abbey and dates from the 11th century.

Furnace is a quaint little village on the A487 with an 18th century foundry for smelting iron ore. The bellows that pumped air into the charcoal-fired blast furnace were powered by the large water wheel which was driven by the River Einion plunging as a waterfall.

Take the narrow country lane from Furnace up into the hills and enjoy the scenic wooded valley called Cwm Einion (Artist’s Valley). It is best to walk if you can as the road is very narrow but it is worth the uphill climb. The remains of a silver lead mine can also be seen.

The turning for Ynyshir RSPB Nature Reserve is also in Furnace. The reserve is a very popular attraction and enables you to observe waders and many other birds in the superb setting of the Dyfi estuary. There is a visitor centre and the most extensive network of lovely walks and bird watching hides in Wales. The reserve has a great variety of habitats, from salt and freshwater marsh to woodland, thus encouraging many different species to breed there.

The historic town of Machynlleth is only a few minutes away and has attractions such as Celtica, Tabernacl and Owain Glyndwr’s Parliament buildings.The popular Centre for Alternative Technology is situated a few miles further on the A487.

A short distance away is a recently felled Forest Enterprise plantation on the site of a former medieval deer park. Parts of the northern marginal boundary ditch and bank are still in good condition and there is free access on foot. The park is being restored to its original state with the planting of broadleaves.