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Drives to Enjoy

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Listed below are three (linked) scenic drives that encompass several of the places described on this site. We often use these routes to visit places, to allow a child to sleep, or just to enjoy the landscapes.

Information on this page was last reviewed: 26th/6/06.

Devil's Bridge to Rhayader

The drive starts at Devil's Bridge which is 12 miles inland from Aberystwyth and finishes at Rhayader. It takes in the glorious Elan Valley on route.

If you are coming from Aberystwyth then the nicest way to Devil's Bridge is along the A4120 which branches off the A487 just as it leaves Aberystwyth for Aberaeron.

Two over-lapping maps cover this drive:

1. Aberystwyth -> Devil's Bridge -> Cwmystwyth.
2. Devil's Bridge -> Cwmystwyth -> Rhayader.

See this site's map page for details on printing the maps.

The drive:

1. At the Hafod Arms hotel by the bridge in Devil's Bridge turn along the B4574 and head for Cwmystwyth.
2. Carry on straight through Cwmystwyth village in to the Cwmystwyth Valley. This river valley is deep and "V-shaped" and has a "moon-scape" quality due to the extensive old mines there (see photos 2 and 3).
3. At the top of the valley things become more green and picturesque with steep drops to the river and you will pass a sign for the Elan Valley area. Later you will go through the narrow neck of the valley following the river (see photo 4). Suddenly the landscape opens into wide, open, upland moors.
4. Drive across the moorland until you climb a steep hill which looks down on the Elan reservoirs (see photo 1). Take the right-turn (signed "Elan Valley") on a bend that drops down to the reservoirs and the main Elan Valley itself.
5. The road crosses a bridge and then passes across moors, through mature woodland and around the reservoirs.
6. The route ends at the cross-roads and monument in the centre of Rhayader.

The best way to link this drive with the next one is:

1. At the cross-roads and monument in the centre of Rhayader turn left.
2. After a few hundred yards you will come to a crossing and the town leisure centre. Turn right along the B4518 through St Harmon.
3. Keep to the road, as you enter Llanidloes you will cross, on a bridge, over a main road (A470).
4. When the road comes to a junction with the main road through Llanidloes turn right to go to the centre of the town.

Llanidloes to Machynlleth

This drive starts in Llanidloes and finishes in Machynlleth. Llanidloes is about 20 miles inland from Aberystwyth on the A470 to Newtown.

Click here for a map of the route. See this site's map page for details on printing the map.

The drive (see also the drive above):

1. If you drive through the center of Llanidloes pass along side the black-and-white building in the centre of the road and straight down to the roundabout by the river.
2. At the roundabout turn left and cross the bridge. Just after the bridge turn left again and follow the B4518 for the Llyn Clywedog reservoir and Staylittle.
3. You will pass along the edge of the reservoir with spectacular views over it. A couple of miles beyond Staylittle turn left for Dylife.
4. Pass through Dylife (see photo 5) with its old mines and follow the signs for Machynlleth across open hill tops and along wooded valleys.
5. When you enter Machynlleth turn left at the junction with the main road through town. This will take you to the town centre and the junction by the town clock.

You can link this drive to the next one by turning left at the town clock junction to take the A487 to Aberystwyth. This will take you through Talybont.

Talybont to Ponterwyd

This drive starts in Talybont (8 miles north of Aberystwyth on the A487) and finishes in Ponterwyd.

Click here for a map of the route. See this site's map page for details on printing the map.

The drive (see also the drive above):

1. At the Aberystwyth end of Talybont there are two "Lion" pubs set back from the A487. Take the road down the side of them.
2. Just out of Talybont take the left turn and head for Nant-y-moch reservoir and Ponterwyd.
3. Follow the road up a narrow green valley, then along its steep open sides and up in to woodlands.
4. Eventually you will emerge on the bleak and wild scenery around Nant-y-moch reservoir. Follow the road around the lake, over the dam and along to Ponterwyd passing Dinas reservoir on your right as you do so.
5. When you reach Ponterwyd you will come to the A44, turn left for Llangurig or right for Aberystwyth.

Disclaimer: This site is based on the author's experiences with his own children and therefore the advice may not be applicable to other children. The comments provided are the author's own opinions and should be treated as such. The author does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss or injury resulting from the use of this site.