Walking in the Dyfi Biosphere
With several important nature reserves, lowland wet grassland and salt marshes, ancient woodlands, lakes, national trails, coastal paths and mountains to explore... all within Dyfi the Biosphere.
It’s no wonder then that wildlife flourishes here. Bottlenose dolphins can be spotted from the beaches of Aberystwyth; ospreys are breeding at Cors Dyfi; hen harriers, peregrine falcons and merlins hunt at Cors Fochno; redshank and lapwing are breeding at Ynys-hir RSPB reserve; and if you are very lucky you can catch sight of rare butterflies at Abercorris.
Most people haven’t caught on yet so it’s not unusual to find yourself enjoying the wilderness with no one else to spoil the view. So bring your walking boots, your binoculars and immerse yourself in this place of natural bounty.
Walk, Bus and Rail.
Expand your horizons
Walk, Bus and Rail
The Dyfi Biosphere’s Trywydd Iach (Outdoor Health) project worked with four communities during 2022 to create walking routes accessible by public transport. Maps showing these routes are available from Aberystwyth Tourist Information Centre as well as online.
The short routes help people explore our wonderful landscapes and natural habitats without a car.
We hope they will expand your horizons and improve your well-being while protecting the environment and supporting vital bus and train services. Go to this page
Places to walk and see in the Biosphere
Why not get out and explore the wonderful landscape of the Dyfi Biosphere! Darganfod Dyfi is a project which has improved and waymarked a series of footpaths and bridleways throughout the Biosphere. It is available free as a pack of walks leaflets, which can also be downloaded below.
Map of walks - click on the map to download the walks
Walking paths in the Dinas Mawddwy area
Mawddwy Walking Paths is an European and other public funded scheme with 8 circular walks ranging from short to long ones for different abilities. Enough to keep you interested and come back to explore further. The paths are coloured and they are also named to distinguish between them. A leaflet of the routes is available locally but you can also download these at this link.
A short video about walking in the area
Celebrate Welsh cultural and natural history along the 135 miles of Glyndŵr’s Way. Explore rolling farmland, open moorland, forests, lakes and reservoirs and re-live the adventures of Owain Glyndŵr.
The Glyndŵr’s Way takes you to some of the finest landscape features in Wales including the tranquil Radnorshire Hills, the shores of the Clywedog Reservoir and heather clad Plynlimon. There are spectacular views over Cadair Idris, Lake Vyrnwy, the Cambrian Mountains and Y Golfa. The route reaches its highest point at Foel Fadian (1530ft/510m) from which on a clear day views stretch out along the majestic Dulas valley to Machynlleth and the sea.
This Trail takes you through a real farming landscape. One of the major attractions of the Trail is the joy of walking through a working land, there is nothing artificial about this landscape.
Within the Dyfi Biosphere area the Wales Coast Path stretches from Aberystwyth to Ynys-las, and can be tackled in sections -or if you are feeling adventurous why not walk the whole way! From the foot path which runs along the cliffs, Borth bog and beaches there is breath taking scenery, wildlife and marine life including bottlenose dolphins and choughs.
Borth to Aberystwyth
9.5km / 6miles
This is an interesting and challenging section of Heritage Coast with several big climbs. The walk links up the railway stations so that you can let the train take the strain on your return leg.
Aberystwyth to Tywyn
2.7km / 1.7 miles
This is a section of two distinct halves with Aberystwyth to Borth being a challenging yet popular section of Heritage Coast while the section between Borth and Ynys-las is completely flat, with much of it running along the edge of Cors Fochno.
Clarach to Borth
5.1km / 3.2 miles
With several big climbs this is a tough section of the coast path. At Wallog the causeway of Sarn Cynfelin can be seen stretching out to sea at low tide.
Aberystwyth to Clarach
2.7km / 1.7 miles
This short section of the coast path passes over Constitution Hill which offers extensive views of Cardigan Bay and Aberystwyth as well as a cafe and the worlds largest camera obscura. If your heading north out of Aberystwyth the cliff railway could take the effort out of a steep climb.
Borth to Ynys-las
7.9km / 4.9miles
While the route past Borth runs just above the high water mark, the large number of groynes along the spectacular beach to Ynys-las require the coast path to have an inland route option. This follows the flood embankment of the River Leri which provides views over Cors Fochno. At low tide or if you are athletic it is possible to walk the whole of this section along the beach.
This series of guided walks will lead you down the River Leri from source to sea. Covering local history, culture, legend and lore, each walk introduces you to a different part of Cwm Eleri. There are 4 walks available in Welsh and English.
1. Craigypistyll – Bontgoch
2. Bontgoch – Tal-y-bont
3. Tal-y-bont – Dôl-y-bont
4. Dôl-y-bont – Ynyslas
Download or listen to walk 1: Craigypistill - Bontgoch along the river Leri.
Download or listen to walk 2: Bontgoch to Tal-y-bont along the river Leri.
Download or listen to walk 3: Craigypistill to Bontgoch along the river Leri.
Download or listen to walk 4: Dôl-y-bont to Ynyslas along the river Leri.