Ponterwyd combines challenging trails at Pumlumon with the Rheidol landscape, historic bridges and mining history. When planning, it is worth considering route type and specific visiting conditions separately: alongside walks, there is a moderate cycling route and a daily Red Kite feeding time. This lets you plan your days around the different experiences.
Walking Trails and Cycling Route
The George Borrow Trail and the Caradog Jones Trail are both in the Ponterwyd settlement area and lead up Pumlumon. The George Borrow Trail is 12.8 kilometres long, challenging and linear; the Caradog Jones Trail is 6.2 kilometres long and also challenging. Another option, also associated with the settlement area, is the 11-kilometre Nant yr Arian circular walk. Its circular format differs from the explicitly linear George Borrow Trail.
A moderate cycling route starts either in Nant yr Arian or in Ponterwyd and runs partly along minor roads, forest tracks and gravel tracks. When choosing a route, both the possible starting point and the different surfaces are therefore important.
Nature and Getting There
Red Kites are fed daily at 2 pm at the lake at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. As the feeding arrangements may change, check the latest information before including the time in your day’s plans. The X47 between Aberystwyth and Llanidloes stops on request at the entrance to the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre car park. Check the current timetable before travelling.
The Visitor Centre can be reached via the A44 and is nine miles east of Aberystwyth. The address is Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth SY23 3AB. These details offer different points of reference for getting there: a road link, a bus stop served on request, and a postal address.
Bridges, Chapel and Literary Connections
Hen Bont is a listed bridge dating from the late 18th century in the centre of the village. Parson's Bridge is the only crossing between Ponterwyd and Devil's Bridge. Ponterwyd Methodist Chapel was built in 1800 and rebuilt in 1821 and 1854. George Borrow stayed in Ponterwyd and described his visit in his book Wild Wales. Together, these offer a glimpse of building history, a bridge’s role and the village’s literary connections.
Mining History and Current Status
The Silver Mountain Experience is set in the historic surroundings of a silver-lead mine that is more than 250 years old. When checked on 1 September 2026, the attraction was closed; at that time, its next phase was under review and being planned.
The Rheidol and Road Routes
Dinas Hillfort stands at an elevation of 385 metres and overlooks the upper Rheidol. The easiest ascent to the summit is from the south; it climbs from the meadowland by the Rheidol at Ponterwyd. There are also specific directions for travelling by road: a turn-off from the main road at Ponterwyd leads to the Nant y Moch reservoirs. The route over the Cambrian Mountains descends to Ponterwyd in a series of bends.
Discover more destinations: Bow Street, Llandysul, Aberporth, Pontarfynach, Capel Bangor, Tal-sarn, Dihewyd, Lampeter
For the broader travel overview: Ceredigion.
