There are over 2500km of Public Rights of Way criss-crossing Ceredigion. This Walking Challenge aims to highlight the availability of routes across the county including lesser-known routes and alternative ways of reaching popular sites, whilst encouraging people to access the countryside for health and wellbeing benefits. These self-guided walks will take you across the whole county to explore some of Ceredigion’s most beautiful scenery from wild windswept clifftops to sheltered wooded valleys.
Take up the challenge - short walks to start
Start with shorter, less strenuous routes, suitable for all the family, with a gentle walk along the clifftop at Mwnt (1.5 miles) surrounded by wildflowers and a good chance of spotting dolphins. Allow some time to visit the pretty Holy Cross church and enjoy some time on the beach with an ice cream from the Mwnt Kiosk. The Penbryn walk (1.6 miles ) starts at the National Trust takes a route via another pretty whitewashed church - St Michael's, built on a hillside, but hidden from sea-borne Viking marauders.
Add to the miles you've covered with a longer walk at Furnace (3.4 miles) which will take into a completely different environment. Start from the car park for the Cadw protected and perfectly preserved 18th Century Dyfi Furnace, then follow the quiet lane and cross moss and lichen laden wooded valley of Cwm Einion - a nature reserve which is an example of a Celtic rainforest, before traversing the hillside of Foel fawr for views across the Dyfi.
Return to the coast to complete the 10 mile challenge with a walk at Gwbert (3.5 miles). The route has superb views across the moth of the Teifi estuary toward Poppit sands and north Pembrokeshire.
Onwards to 50 miles
If you have enjoyed completing the 10 mile challenge then perhaps you would like to continue and complete the 50 mile challenge. The 10 miles completed in the first challenge contributes to the 50 mile challenge.
The routes have been selected from Ceredigion Council's Rights of Way 'Walks and Rides' page, where you'll find maps which indicate what the route is, tell you how many gates and stiles there are along the route, and what the ground underfoot is like - it can range from soft grass and sand to tarmac on country lanes. These walks are slightly longer and more strenuous routes with some challenging terrain. However, each of the walk locations has something different to offer - interesting heritage sites, pretty woodland and always great views.
Add another nine walks ranging in length from 3 miles to 6 miles to the four routes you have tackled for he 10 mile challenge to build up to 50 miles. This collection of suggested routes cover coast and countryside.
The Aberaeron Aberarth walk (4.5 miles) starts at the pretty harbour town and takes a circular route via Llanddewi Aberarth - call into the church to see the unique ' viking hogback' carved stone - before descending to the hamlet of Aberarth, once busy with shipbuilding. The return to Aberaeron is along the shore, where you can see the remains of the fishtraps used by the medieval monks of Strata Florida.
The Aberaeron walk (4.2 miles) goes south of town along the Coast Path and returns via Henfynwy. On the return into town you are rewarded with views north along the coast toward Eryri.
The circular walk at Silian (3 Miles) near Lampeter (Llanbedr Pont Steffan) has views over the Dulas valley and the Derry Ormond tower.
Many make the trip to the summit of Constitution Hill in Aberystwyth by train, but its' worth carrying on Clarach and returning via woodlands (3.8 miles) and the town's golf course, which has superb views.
Coed y Foel is a Woodland Trust nature reserve in the valley of the Gwenffrwd - a tributary of the Teifi, near Llandysul. The Coed Y Foel Walk (4 miles) takes you through the woodland - filled with bluebells in spring and colourful foliage in autumn.
The circular route from Pontrhydfendigaid (4.3 miles) takes you around the ancient hillfort of Pen y Bannau which overlooks the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Strata Florida. The Llanerchaeron walk (5.5 miles) follows the former railway line from Aberaeron to Llanerchaeron.
To complete the 50 mile challenge, the Llanon - Llanrhystud walk (6 miles) combines a route along the Coast Path with an inland return route.
Similarly, the Penbryn - Llangrannog walk (4.5 miles) takes you along the coast and returns along an inland route, .but even within the 60 miles of coast, the terrain in completely different.
If you enjoyed completing the 50 mile challenge then why not continue to complete the 100 mile challenge? Remember that the miles completed in the 10 and 50 mile challenge contribute towards the 100 mile challenge.
You're on your way to achieving 100 miles and completing the challenge
To get to the Cant Ceredigion (the Ceredigion hundred), the routes are longer with some challenging terrain and possible navigational challenges, but the rewards are worth every step.
The Teifi Pools circuit (8 miles) gives you the option to start at Pontrhydfendigaid or Strata Florida Abbey. The route climbs up to and around the group of tranquil upland lakes known as Teifi Pools.
The Bontgoch circular (7 miles) includes a waterfall and Llyn Craig Pistyll (the lake of the waterfall crag)
Three more routes take you back to the coast. The popular New Quay – Cwmtydu walk is along the Coast Path (8 miles) and returns along a sheltered inland route.
After a gentle walk along Tanybwlch beach, the Tanybwlch walk (5.8 miles) includes a climb up All Wen and a gentle return along the Ystwyth trail.
The Cardigan - Ferwig walk (7 miles) takes you to the Teifi estuary and returns across rich farmland.
The last two walks in the Ceredigion 100 mile challenge are inland. Lampeter Allt Goch (5.8 miles) takes you from the edge of Lampeter town into the community managed woodland of Longwood
The last walk in the 100 mile challenge is the longest, but what a sense of achievement when you reach the highest point of the The Trefeurig walk (9.5 miles) which has superb views across the hills towards the coast. The perfect summary of what walking in Ceredigion is all about.
Congratulations - you've topped one hundred miles. There are plenty more paths to follow - where will you explore next?