Devil's
Bridge is a peaceful village just 12 miles inland from the
town of Aberystwyth near the West coast of Wales, The village is set in
beautiful countryside and is most famous for the waterfalls and the bridge,
which is in fact three bridges one on top of another. It is also the terminus
of the Vale of Rheidol steam railway that puffs its way up and down the
hills
from Aberystwyth. The village is known in Welsh as Pontarfynach - 'The
Bridge Over the Mynach river' but Devil's Bridge is the name that most
people use.
My wife Eira Wyn and I arrived at Devil's Bridge by the back door, that
is via the A4120 and the A44 from Mid Wales. We parked near to the bridges
and payed a few bob to pass through a turnstile and descend some steep
stone steps to enable a better view of the three Bridges, the chasm, and
what is known as the Devil's punchbowl or cauldron. You will know why
its called a cauldron when you see it.
The original, lowest, bridge was built between the 11thC and 13th Century,
and the two upper bridges were subsequently built when the original was
considered unsafe. When you consider the drop below the bridge you have
to admire the skills of the original bridge builder, whether he was the
Devil or not. Legend has it that the bridge was built by the Devil as
it was too difficult for people to build. But being the Devil he put a
clause in the contract that he would receive the soul of the first life
to cross the bridge. The locals however got round the clause by throwing
bread onto the bridge and a dog followed thus becoming the first life
to cross the new bridge... poor dog!
Across the road from the bridge turnstile there is another automatic
pay as you go turnstile to a pathway that takes you to Mynach Falls where
the River Mynach drops 300 feet to meet the River Rheidol. The pathway
continues through the woodland right up to the impressive site of the
falls.
There are a few souvenir shops near to the Bridges and the Falls and a
Cafe at the Railway Terminus. Eira Wyn remarked that with all the turnstiles
and charges that the Devil might still have some shares in the local business.
The area is becoming ever more popular with walkers, cyclists and mountain
bike riders wishing to sample the fantastic scenery of the Rheidol Valley.
Indeed the area around Llyn
Nant y Moch and the Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre has a number of fantastic
mountain
bike trails, bridleways and scenic walks.
