Devil's Bridge

Settlement in Cardiganshire

Wales

Devil's Bridge

'Sorry we cannot stop here' Poster in the waiting shelter at Rhiwfron station. In normal times this would have been a timetable but during the pandemic, passengers cannot board or alight at intermediate stations on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, so no train times are given here for now.
'Sorry we cannot stop here' Credit: John Lucas

Devil's Bridge is a captivating tourist attraction located in the county of Cardiganshire, Wales. Nestled in the stunning Cambrian Mountains, this natural marvel offers visitors a unique experience, combining breathtaking scenery with a fascinating piece of history. The bridge itself is an ancient stone construction that spans over the Mynach River, creating a dramatic arch that seems to defy gravity.

Believed to have been built in the 11th century, Devil's Bridge has become a legendary landmark due to the numerous tales surrounding its origin. According to local folklore, the bridge was built by the devil himself, who made a pact with an old woman to construct it in exchange for her soul. However, the clever woman managed to outsmart the devil by sending her loyal dog across the bridge instead, causing the devil to vanish in a fit of rage.

Today, visitors can explore the area and witness the three layers of the bridge that have been added over the centuries, each representing a different era of construction. Surrounding the bridge is a picturesque wooded gorge, offering stunning views of waterfalls cascading down into the river below. A series of walking trails and footpaths allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area.

In addition to its natural splendor, Devil's Bridge is also home to a visitor center, where visitors can learn about the history and mythology of the site. The center provides informative displays, guided tours, and a gift shop, ensuring a memorable and educational visit for all.

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Devil's Bridge Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.376904/-3.859522 or Grid Reference SN7377. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

'Sorry we cannot stop here' Poster in the waiting shelter at Rhiwfron station. In normal times this would have been a timetable but during the pandemic, passengers cannot board or alight at intermediate stations on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, so no train times are given here for now.
'Sorry we cannot stop here'
Poster in the waiting shelter at Rhiwfron station. In normal times this would have been a timetable but during the pandemic, passengers cannot board or alight at intermediate stations on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, so no train times are given here for now.
Crossing gate by Rhiwfron station On a bridleway leading from Cwm Rheidol to Ty'n-y-castell.
Crossing gate by Rhiwfron station
On a bridleway leading from Cwm Rheidol to Ty'n-y-castell.
Vale of Rheidol Railway locomotive at Devil's Bridge This is No. 7 ("Owain Glyndŵr")
Vale of Rheidol Railway locomotive at Devil's Bridge
This is No. 7 ("Owain Glyndŵr")
Train leaving Devil's Bridge
Train leaving Devil's Bridge
Locomotive Valve Gear Vale of Rheidol Railway No. 7 ("Owain Glyndŵr") standing at Devil's Bridge.
Locomotive Valve Gear
Vale of Rheidol Railway No. 7 ("Owain Glyndŵr") standing at Devil's Bridge.
Locomotive and disembarking passengers The Vale of Rheidol Railway at Devil's Bridge. The locos and rolling stock were all in immaculate condition on this morning; some, as here, newly renovated. The photographer must be there somewhere.
Locomotive and disembarking passengers
The Vale of Rheidol Railway at Devil's Bridge. The locos and rolling stock were all in immaculate condition on this morning; some, as here, newly renovated. The photographer must be there somewhere.
Path in Cwm Rheidol An uphill slog to Rhiwfron station, Vale of Rheidol Railway.
Path in Cwm Rheidol
An uphill slog to Rhiwfron station, Vale of Rheidol Railway.
Hillside above Devil's Bridge A long view of Bryn Tyn-llwyn from the Statkraft visitor centre in Cwm Rheidol.
Hillside above Devil's Bridge
A long view of Bryn Tyn-llwyn from the Statkraft visitor centre in Cwm Rheidol.
Approaching the Vale of Rheidol foot crossing A bridleway, which follows the route of an ancient road, crosses the railway here. Rhiwfron Halt is off to the right.
Approaching the Vale of Rheidol foot crossing
A bridleway, which follows the route of an ancient road, crosses the railway here. Rhiwfron Halt is off to the right.
On Rhiwfron station Vale of Rheidol passenger trains ceased running at the end of October this year, so no trains today.

Some 'retro' fun today - using a manually operated lens, which I haven't done for a good many years! In this case, I set it at maximum aperture, thereby minimising the depth of field. Hence, the station name board is in focus, but beyond is not. I know this is possible with fully automatic cameras, but with them, I tend to be lazy and just use automatic settings. Let Intelligent Auto be your friend!
On Rhiwfron station
Vale of Rheidol passenger trains ceased running at the end of October this year, so no trains today. Some 'retro' fun today - using a manually operated lens, which I haven't done for a good many years! In this case, I set it at maximum aperture, thereby minimising the depth of field. Hence, the station name board is in focus, but beyond is not. I know this is possible with fully automatic cameras, but with them, I tend to be lazy and just use automatic settings. Let Intelligent Auto be your friend!
Do not trespass! Sign at the end of the platform on Rhiwfron station. See also comment for <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7020119">SN7277 : On Rhiwfron station</a>
Do not trespass!
Sign at the end of the platform on Rhiwfron station. See also comment for SN7277 : On Rhiwfron station
Looking down onto Rhiwfron station From the path leading over the hill through Coed Tynycastell.
Looking down onto Rhiwfron station
From the path leading over the hill through Coed Tynycastell.
Gate on the path in Coed Tynycastell
Gate on the path in Coed Tynycastell
Looking down on the Coed Tynycastell foot crossing Unexpectedly meeting another walker who was waiting for the other member of his party to climb the steep path through Coed Rheidol.
Looking down on the Coed Tynycastell foot crossing
Unexpectedly meeting another walker who was waiting for the other member of his party to climb the steep path through Coed Rheidol.
A gloomy day in Cwm Rheidol Looking towards Devil's Bridge.
A gloomy day in Cwm Rheidol
Looking towards Devil's Bridge.
Descending into Cwm Rheidol Through Coed Rheidol on a wet day.
Descending into Cwm Rheidol
Through Coed Rheidol on a wet day.
Path in Coed Rheidol Above Afon Rheidol.
Path in Coed Rheidol
Above Afon Rheidol.
Heading for the stile in Cwm Rheidol The gate is nailed shut and cannot be opened, so it's the stile or nothing. The path leads down into the valley and crosses Afon Rheidol be means of a footbridge. It forms part of the Borth to Devil's Bridge trail.
Heading for the stile in Cwm Rheidol
The gate is nailed shut and cannot be opened, so it's the stile or nothing. The path leads down into the valley and crosses Afon Rheidol be means of a footbridge. It forms part of the Borth to Devil's Bridge trail.
Show me another place!

Devil's Bridge is located at Grid Ref: SN7377 (Lat: 52.376904, Lng: -3.859522)

Unitary Authority: Ceredigion

Police Authority: Dyfed Powys

Also known as: Pontarfynach

What 3 Words

///workroom.kilts.hikes. Near Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion

Related Wikis

Devil's Bridge railway station

Devil's Bridge railway station is a railway station serving Devil's Bridge in Ceredigion in Mid-Wales. It is the eastern terminus of the preserved Vale...

Afon Mynach

Afon Mynach (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈmənaχ]; also known as the River Mynach) is a river in Ceredigion, Wales. Its source is at the meeting of two smaller...

Mynach Falls

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Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion

Devil's Bridge (Welsh: Pontarfynach, lit. "The bridge on the Mynach") is a village and community in Ceredigion, Wales. Above the River Mynach on the edge...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.376904,-3.859522
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.3789808/-3.8554815
Created By: POI Editor
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.3795597/-3.854287
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.3804134/-3.8616473
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.3797231/-3.8589042
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.3792746/-3.8565403
Created By: POI Editor
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.3794687/-3.8547308
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.3789795/-3.8531249
Devil's Bridge / Pontarfynach
Name Cy: Pontarfynach
Name En: Devil's Bridge
Naptan AtcoCode: 940GZZVRDVB
Public Transport: station
Railway: station
Source: NPE
Usage: tourism
Wikidata: Q5267072
Wikipedia: en:Devil's Bridge railway station
Lat/Long: 52.376061/-3.8545939
Waterway: waterfall
Lat/Long: 52.3770434/-3.8562548
Turning Circle
Turning Circle: oval
Lat/Long: 52.3734953/-3.8575212
Toilets
Lat/Long: 52.3761516/-3.8544754
Parking
Lat/Long: 52.3762776/-3.8548777
Pontarfynach
Name Cy: Pontarfynach
Name En: Devil's Bridge
Place: village
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Wikidata: Q3398339
Lat/Long: 52.3757076/-3.8568653
Post Office
Devil's Bridge Stores and Post Office
Shop: convenience
Lat/Long: 52.3754168/-3.8557691
Place Of Worship
Religion: christian
Lat/Long: 52.374959/-3.8574142
Historic: memorial
Memorial: war_memorial
Lat/Long: 52.3754252/-3.8566974
Bus Stop
Devil's Bridge Station
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 5230AWD71661
Naptan NaptanCode: cejapmg
Public Transport: platform
Lat/Long: 52.3756006/-3.8541642
Bus Stop
Devil's Bridge Station
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 5230CGX16364
Naptan NaptanCode: cejapmj
Public Transport: platform
Lat/Long: 52.3757245/-3.8539613
Post Box
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: SY23 160
Royal Cypher: EIIR
Royal Cypher Wikidata: Q33102113
Lat/Long: 52.3755042/-3.8557667
Direction: S
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 10
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 52.3733116/-3.8584046
Direction: WSW
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 7
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 52.3756663/-3.8561153
Direction: SSE
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 8
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 52.3756892/-3.8561958
Direction: 105
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 17
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 52.3759005/-3.8569066
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: stands
Capacity: 6
Lat/Long: 52.3757333/-3.8539202
AED
Defibrillator
Emergency: defibrillator
Lat/Long: 52.37626/-3.8544152
Direction: 175
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Solar Modules: 1
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 52.3749275/-3.8559928
Bench
Backrest: yes
Direction: NE
Seats: 2
Lat/Long: 52.3754219/-3.8567618
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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