The Teifi Valley Trail

A unique trail of diverse landscapes following the Teifi River from its source at Teifi Pools in the Cambrian Mountains; through Cors Caron, a national nature reserve; through woods and farmlands to the Teifi River’s mouth.

Walking the Teifi Valley Trail is an ideal way to discover local communities and businesses, artisans, attractions and accommodation who welcome walkers eager to enjoy the wildlife, heritage and culture of the Teifi Valley.

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Originating in the Cambrian Mountains, the Teifi River drops quickly down to the 12th Century monastic ruins of Strata Florida. The trail then passes through farmland, a nature reserve and communities of varying sizes to reach the university town of Lampeter.
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The middle stretch of the Teifi Valley introduces a mature meandering river, prone to flooding prompting diversions away from the river. The trail then passes through market and mill towns of old, harking back to the industrial heritage of the Valley.
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The final stage of the trail offers waterfalls and wells, castles and ruined abbeys as well as fabulous riverside walking along the Teifi Gorge. Continue to the river estuary at Poppit Sands for the full trail experience.

Teifi Valley Trail

The idea for the Teifi Valley Trail was first explored in 2004 but enthusiasm was channelled instead into the newly conceived Wales Coast Path which became a reality in 2012. However the idea always seemed like a good one to those of us who live, work and walk in the delightful Teifi Valley so in 2021, the idea was reignited by the Walkers are Welcome groups along the valley to bring this beautiful trail to a wider audience. We now present this to you for your enjoyment.

The Future is circular

The Celtic Circle will join together the Teifi Valley Trail, the Wales Coast Path and other established footpaths to complete a much anticipated circular route of 170 miles of excellent walking.

Teifi Valley Trail Route
Teifi Valley Trail Circular Route
Bird of Prey

Exploring the Teifi Valley Trail

In the elevated and windswept Cambrian Mountains of North Ceredigion, the River Teifi commences its journey to the Irish Sea. From the artificially created lake of Llyn Teifi, the embryo waterway tumbles from its moorland birthplace to Strata Florida in the valley below and to its first contact with the abundant history, culture, industry, and communities for which the river has been an essential feature in the intimate relationship between human kind and the local environment.

Covering a distance of some 80 miles, the Teifi Valley Trail lies mainly in Ceredigion, though significant sections pass into Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, linking, as it does, the communities of Pontrhydfendigaid, Tregaron, Lampeter, Llanybydder, Llandysul, Newcastle Emlyn, Cilgerran, Cardigan and St. Dogmaels. It also connects two locations of great historical and ecclesiastical importance at the former Abbeys and seats of learning at Strata Florida and St. Dogmaels. Facilities for trail users are available in all of these communities.

While the towns and villages provide opportunities for refreshment and hospitality, the entire route is truly rural, embracing a pastoral agricultural economy, together with nature reserves, woodlands, floodplains and marshes, and finally the estuarine panoramas towards the coast.  The Teifi Valley is justifiably renowned for its amazing diversity of habitat and wildlife from upland to maritime and all that subsists between. It is a natural treasure trove to the passionate and the passer-by alike.  

This is also a profoundly historic part of Wales, and the countryside through which the trail passes still bears witness equally to the ancient and to the relatively recent industrial past. While ruined castles reveal evidence of past conflicts, the shells and ruins that once were mines, factories and mills tell of industrial endeavour, of one-time wealth, and of the sometimes destructive exploitation of natural resources.

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