Best walks in Ceredigion

Distance: 2 miles

Terrain: easy

Dylan Thomas is perhaps Wales’ most famous poet, known for his verse set in the idyllic lands of his home country. This walk takes you on a two-mile route from Dylan’s beloved town of Laugharne, leading you through the forest which inspired Dylan’s poem ‘Under Milk Wood’, and up onto the shoulder of Sir John’s Hill beyond. Walking in the footsteps of this treasured poet and taking in the inspiring sights across the estuary out to sea, you might even be inspired to write your own rhymes about this ruggedly magical landscape.

Distance: 1 mile

Terrain: easy to moderate

A 50-minute drive inland from Quay West Holiday Park, is this great short walk for history lovers and story seekers, centred around the remains of the Ystrad Fflur Abbey in the Teifi Valley. The trail begins at a special Yew tree in the graveyard of St Mary’s Church, which honours one of the country’s most famous medieval poets, and continues along a route punctuated with landmarks which tell the stories of the monks who made this harsh landscape their home. Highlights include the Pilgrim Sculpture made from recycled oak, disused lead mine buildings and evidence of iron age hill forts, built up high for the panoramic views of the valley below. 

Distance: 3.5 miles

Terrain: moderate to difficult

The Cambrian mountains are Welsh wilderness at its very best, a sea of rolling green with glistening rivers winding throughout. This walk will have even the biggest of homebodies fall in love with the great outdoors. The circular route starts in the ancient market town of Tregaron which lies right in the centre of the county, and crosses all kinds of terrain on a truly fantastical adventure. What’s more, it’s only a 40-minute drive from our Quay West Holiday Park, making it an ideal day out walking in Ceredigion.

Distance: 2 miles

Terrain: easy to moderate

When out walking in Ceredigion, taking a route along the coastal path is a great option for an accessible trail with great views looking out across the Irish Sea. This next walk is only two miles long, and takes you from the sleepy old fishing village of Aberporth to Tresaith, with its picture perfect golden sands and stunning waterfall crashing down from the cliffs. It’s an easy but rewarding route, perfect for families with small children in tow.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Terrain: easy to moderate

Waterfalls are an ever popular landmark on any hike, and Ceredigion is awash with these stunning wonders of nature. This route is named after the historic Dyfi Furnace which was converted into a saw mill around 200 years back and can still be viewed today. The falls themselves are just adjacent and can be viewed at the beginning or end of the route depending on whether you want to save them up for the final show. The rest of the walk will take you through woodland and open countryside, skimming the edges of the area’s disused quarries.

Distance: 8 miles

Terrain: moderate

This is one of the longer Ceredigion walks on this list, so be sure you stock up on supplies and have your best boots at hand before you head out onto this iconic stretch of the coastal path. The route takes you from the centre of the well known tourist resort of New Quay, along country lanes, through woodland and right along the coast’s edge to the small cove of Cwmtydu (or Seal’s Bay). Keep a close eye on the sea as you walk, as both seals and bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted in this area.

Distance: 4.5 miles

Terrain: moderate

This next walk is steeped in the Welsh history of lead mining, and follows paths which would have been trodden by the miners of the region, back before the decline of the industry. Starting off at an old but still working water-wheel at Pont-rhyd-y-groes, you’ll be taken through some secluded forests, onto wide open hillsides, alongside rushing waters and steep gorges. There’s a lovely tea room at the beginning and end of this route too, to refuel before or after your trek.

Distance: 9.5 miles

Terrain: difficult

The Ceredigion coastal path just keeps giving, with this unmissable route between Llanrhystud and the seaside university town of Aberystwyth. This is one of the more challenging walks on this list, with plenty of climbs and descents, and is the most isolated section of the Ceredigion coastal path. However, that’s what makes this wild and atmospheric route so special, with enchanting trees twisted into windswept shapes by the buffeting sea gales and thriving nature reserves untouched by human lives; it is without a doubt one of the best walks in Ceredigion to get away from it all and connect back to nature.