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.