About Devil's Bridge Falls
Devil's Bridge Falls is a spectacular waterfall attraction at Devil's 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 within 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. The Mynych (translates as the 'Monks River'), is a tributary of the larger Rheidol River, which runs in a deep, wooded valley towards Aberystwyth and the Cardigan Bay coast.
Technically, Devil's Bridge waterfalls can be classified as segmented or tiered falls with five major drops and intervening cascades which add up to a 91 m total drop, and therefore is among the highest in Wales.
The Devil's Bridge Fall Nature Trail takes approximately 45 mins and is a circular walk that leads you deep into the wooded gorge with spectacular views of the 300ft Mynach Waterfalls. The shorter '3 Bridges & Punchbowl' trail will take approximately 10 minutes. These walks are challenging and consist of many steep steps.
The Nature Trail is within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I) and is home to many types of mosses and lichens. It is also an excellent example of an ancient Sessile Oak woodland. A guidebook indicating interesting aspects of the Nature Trail is on sale at the entrance kiosk when attendant is on duty.
Please note that the Nature Trail Walk is a challenging walk that contains many steep steps and so is not suitable for everyone. 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 the entrance to walks and are open from Mid Spring to October
THE LONG NATURE TRAIL
£4 per person during the winter months via the turnstile and between £3 and £4.75 during the main season.
On this 45-minute nature trail walk you will see the spectacular waterfalls and view the 3 bridges, built one on top of the other, which span the breath-taking woodland gorge. Follow in the footsteps of the monks of past, along the path, and descend Jacobs Ladder (100 steps). Cross the humped bridge spanning over the Mynach river at the bottom of the waterfalls and begin to ascend the other side of the gorge. Go into Robbers Cave, an old hideout place next to the waterfall.
Whilst catching your breath at the end of your walk, take time to use the Free Viewing Telescope. Enjoy a close-up view of the Gyfarllwyd Falls on the Rheidol river, the surrounding woodland, and the distant Cambrian Mountains, or perhaps you'll see a Red Kite soaring high above. The exit is opposite the Hafod Hotel.
PUNCHBOWL AND THREE BRIDGES NATURE TRAIL
£2 per person all year via turnstiles or at Ticket office
This is a short ten-minute walk where you descend to the river to view the Punchbowl. Here you can see how the force of the river Mynach has carved beautiful, large potholes into the rock. From this viewpoint the Three Bridges, built one on top of the other, tower overhead and are an awesome sight.
THE LEGEND OF DEVIL'S BRIDGE
According to legend, the original Devil’s Bridge was built by the Devil himself. He constructed the bridge for a little old lady in exchange for her soul, or the soul of the first person to cross....
Use the U-turn box to listen to how the old lady outwitted the Devil to save her cow. Which is how Devil's Bridge got its name. Hear some traditional Welsh harp music or select the information about the history of our area.
