Bethan's Journey - Cilgerran to Cardigan

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Distance: 3 miles / 5 km

Start: SN 196 430

End: SN 177 459

Parking: There's a car park at the start of the walk: Lower Cilgerran Car Park, Rhiw-Dol-Badau, Cardigan, SA43 2SL, and also at the end of the walk: Quay Street Car Park, Cardigan, SA43 3AX.

Route Description:

This walk starts at Cilgerran Castle (A). In the programme, our walkers travel along the river Teifi in canoes, but there's an option to walk along the river's banks.

With the castle behind you, and the Teifi River on your right, walk away from the castle towards the Northwest, or towards the sea.

Cross Plysgog River, and follow the path along the River Teifi (B) for around 1.5 miles. Follow the path as it turns left and walk through The Welsh Wildlife Centre (C).

You'll reach a car park, walk through the car park and turn right to join the cycling trail. Continue to walk across the Teifi Marshes, and you'll re-join the Teifi River (B) on your right. Continue to walk and you'll come out on Castle Street. Turn right and cross the old bridge into Cardigan. After crossing, turn left and continue around into Cardigan Castle (Ch) which will be on your right. This is the end of the walk.

Points of Interest:

a) Cilgerran Castle

Grid Reference: SN 196 430

Much of the northern side of the castle was thought to have been destroyed during the Civil War when local parliamentarians attacked the royalists garrisoned inside.

B) The River Teifi

Grid Reference: SN 192 436

The river forms the boundary for most of its length between the counties of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, and for the final 3 miles, the boundary between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

C) The Welsh Wildlife Centre

Grid Reference: SN 189 451

The Welsh Wildlife Centre is set in a 264 acre Wildlife Nature Reserve covering the Teifi Marshes. It was established in 1993 and attracts over 80,000 visitors per year.

Ch) Cardigan Castle

Grid Reference: SN 177 459

This is the location of the first ever National Eisteddfod. In 1176, it is said that Lord Rhys invited poets and musicians from across Wales to a grand gathering at his Castle.