We love a good legend here in Wales and Devil’s Bridge perfectly encapsulates our penchant for all things folklore.
This small community in Ceredigion is around 12 miles away from the coastal town of Aberystwyth.
It gets its English name from the unusual road bridge that crosses the River Mynach and is a peaceful and picturesque part of Wales.
Here you’ll find nature walks, a boutique hotel, artisan chocolate and a magnificent waterfall, that’s the focus of a local legend.
There are so many reasons to visit Devil’s Bridge in Wales, especially if you are looking to explore the wider Cambrian Mountains region.
Visit Devil’s Bridge Wales
Devil’s Bridge is an ideal place for nature lovers and dog walkers, looking for a rural escape in Wales.
It’s a small and tight-knit community and it’s also a great location in the Cambrian Mountains to base yourself for a few days. Here’s my guide to why you need to visit Devil’s Bridge and the surrounding area.
Discover the Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls and Nature Trail
The main attraction in the area is the beautiful Devils Bridge Falls. Here you can see the original Devil’s Bridge that is said to have been constructed by the Devil himself.
According to local folklore, Lucifer constructed the bridge for a little old lady in exchange for her soul, or the soul of the first person to cross.
She manages to trick him, with the help of a dog, and so he leaves the area, forked tail between his legs. If you like Celtic legends, it’s one of the best Halloween destinations on the Celtic Routes.
This iconic bridge and the falls are a world-famous tourist attraction that attracts thousands of visitors each year. If you want to explore the falls in peace, you should aim to visit in the off-season, when it’s quieter.
Devil’s Bridge nature trail
The Devil’s Bridge Fall Nature Trail is a circular trail that takes around 45 minutes, depending on your walking pace.
Pay to enter via the coin-operated turnstile and you can spend as much time as you like exploring the falls.
It’s a challenging trek though, with steep trails, steps and slippery surfaces, so proper hiking shoes must be worn.
Scramble around the dense, wooded gorge to get incredible views of the 300ft Mynach Waterfalls.
There is a definite storybook feel to this fairytale location and it’s a wonderful spot for nature lovers and photographers.
There’s an alternative ‘3 Bridges & Punchbowl trail’ that takes around 10 minutes. It’s an easier trail to manage if you have mobility issues, young children, or dogs that can’t manage big treks.
When planning your visit, be aware that an attendant is at the Falls entrance from 9.45 am to 5.30 pm, but hours can vary depending on the season.
Prices are also seasonal and range from £4 to just £2, making it a super budget activity in the Cambrian Mountains.
Ride the Vale of Rheidol steam train
Why not take the scenic route to Aberystwyth on the marvellous Vale of Rheidol steam train? It’s definitely one of the more unique experiences in Wales.
Catch this marvellous steam train from Devils Bridge to Aberystwyth and enjoy a steam train experience through Welsh woodlands, fields and meadows.
Journey across the Rheidol Valley in a beautifully restored steam train and enjoy a retro rail adventure.
Steam train Wales
The track seems to follow the contours of the countryside and takes you through some remarkable scenery at a leisurely pace. When you arrive at Devil’s Bridge, head to the Two Hoots Cafe for a warming bowl of Cawl before you head back to Aberystwyth.
Visit Sarah Bunton Chocolate
Why not do a chocolate making class at Sarah Bunton Chocolate in Devil’s Falls?
Sarah Bunton is an artisan chocolatier who creates the most delicious artisan Welsh chocolate. The store is located right by the Devils Bridge falls and is bursting with chocolate goodness.
You can either enquire about a bespoke chocolate making class or come and watch chocolate being made in-store.
View the chocolatiers creating their award-winning chocolates and fudge treats, through the purpose-built window.
There is a huge variety of filled chocolates and truffles and bars available to buy, all from Sarah’s creative vision.
Several of the chocolate also contain extra Welsh specialities such as Merlyn Liqueur or Welsh honey.
It’s the perfect place to indulge your chocolate passion or pick up Welsh Christmas gifts if you are visiting during the festive season.
Red Kite feeding
Head to the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre in nearby Ponterwyd for walking, awesome biking trails and red kite feeding.
Red Kites are a remarkable bird of prey with angled wings and a distinctive forked tail.
Around 150 local red kites are fed daily here, they dramatically swoop in to pick up pieces of meat that are thrown for them.
You can watch the feeding from the large bird hide, make sure to bring your camera for some fantastic wildlife shots.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian has actually been a red kite feeding station since 1999. They introduced a programme to protect the small number of these birds in the area then.
It’s such a wonderful experience to see these beautiful birdes perform a range of dives and aerial acrobatics.
Penrhiw Pottery in Ystumtuen
Take a short drive to visit Penrhiw Pottery to get creative and master the potter’s wheel.
Here, all pottery is expertly hand thrown and hand glazed by Dave and Anouska in their impressive studio in nearby Ystumtuen.
There’s a number of classes and workshops available to get you throwing on the wheel with confidence. I certainly found what I lacked in skill, I made up for in enthusiasm.
Dave and Anouska are on hand to provide excellent guidance and support so that you can create a lovely, but a wonky pot of your very own.
If your attempt at ceramics isn’t quite up to scratch, there are several beautiful pieces for sale. The teapots, in particular, are a wonderful gift.
Go stargazing at the Arch
Discover a part of the Astro-tourism” trail in the Cambrian Mountains at ‘the Arch‘ picnic site, located near Devil’s Bridge.
The Arch is a historic stone archway that has been designated as a Dark Sky Discovery Site. It’s one of the best places in Wales for Stargazing and astrophotography.
It’s actually one of the growing numbers of dark sky discovery sites in Wales where you can see the Milky Way, meteor showers and the International Space Station when it passes over.
You can also capture some night shots in and around Devil’s Bridge. Just remember to wrap up warm, it can get rather chilly here in Wales!
Climb Pumlumon at sunrise
If you are looking for a challenging hike near Devils Bridge, then Pumlumon mountain is the trek for you.
At 752m, beautiful Pumlumon is the highest point of the Cambrian Mountains and is the perfect place for a dawn hike in Wales.
It’s a sprawling, rugged part of The Cambrian Mountains that can seem a bit wild and desolate at first glance.
However, if you climb Pumlumon from the northern side of the mountain you’ll be rewarded with spectacular scenery.
If you are an early riser, aim for a sunrise ascent and you’ll see lakes, valleys and mountain ridges, bathed in lovely, golden hour sunlight.
Remember, as with any long trek, wear proper hiking shoes and carry water, food and a map.
Where to stay in Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s Bridge and the surrounding area has a brilliant range of accommodation if you’re looking for somewhere to stay for a few days.
Choose from local hotels, charming cottages, traditional B&B’s, quirky AirBnb’s and glamping pods.
You can find a hotel to suit your budget and length of time by using online price comparison sites such as Booking.com, to find the best hotel deals in the area.
Why not rent a room from a Devil’s Bridge local with Airbnb? There are a plethora of unique accommodation options near Devil’s Bridge, including yurts, cottages and glamping.
By booking a Devil’s Bridge Airbnb you can take your pick of accommodation located in more residential areas of the city and even stay with a local.
If you have never used Airbnb before you can have £34 towards your first booking now!
Stay at The Hafod
The Hafod Hotel is a Bar, Brasserie and Hotel in the most perfect location. It is mere steps away from the Devil’s Bridge Falls. It’s a proper lush hotel that’s surrounded by tranquil woodlands and gorges.
Enjoy a swanky room or suite and even book a weekend package that suits you, including a walking break, chill and pamper break and culinary experience break.
Devil’s Bridge hotel
Make sure to also book a table at their charming Bar and Brasserie, the dishes are rather delicious.
Typical menu offerings include local trout, Devil’s beast burger, pie of the day, steak, and Mexican Vegetable burrito.
As you can see there are many reasons to visit Devil Bridge. It’s a charming community that’s ideally located to explore the Cambrian Mountains area.
What do you think of my guide to Devil’s Bridge? Are you planning to visit this beautiful area? Let us know in the comments below.
If you didn’t already have me at the stunning natural beauty and the peaceful waterfall, you had me at chocolate making! Next time I visit Wales, I’ll be making a stop at the Devil’s Bridge
You are really making me want to visit more of Wales! I love how they seem to have a thing for the devil. Have you been to Devil’s Kitchen?
I’ve never even heard of Devil’s Bridge, but I love a place with a good-ol’ legend! Definitely going on the list. And that stargazing spot looks incredible.