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About
Coed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.
This is a magnificent stretch of ancient sessile oak woodland, protected largely by its inaccessibility, hanging precariously on the flanks of the gorge of the Afon Rheidol.
The naturally high rainfall and the local micro-climate at the foot of the narrow gorge contribute to high humidity, and a resulting abundance of the non-flowering plants - mosses,. liverworts, lichens and ferns. They clothe the trees, the ground and the rocks in a variety of greens and greys. Ferns include many species from the rare forked spleenwort to the much more common lady fern with its tall clumps of rather softly waving fronds.
Amongst the oak there also grows birch and rowan (mountain ash), with lesser amounts of wych elms and small leaved lime.
The steepness of the valley sides means that you are often getting a tree-top look into the forest and here you will find those characteristic inhabitants of Welsh oakwoods, the redstart, pied flycatcher (which have been intensively studied here) and wood warbler, along with the resident blue and great tits.
GRID REF : SN711785
ACCESS : Open via public footpaths, but many are steep and require extreme caution.
PARKING : In Devil's Bridge
TIME : This is a place to come to at your leisure and explore for half a day or more.
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Map & Directions
Road Directions
There are several access points to Coed Rheidol which is approximately 12 miles east of Aberystwyth, including:
Devil's Bridge Falls: Take the A487 from Aberystwyth, turn left onto the A4120 towards Llangurig. Devil's Bridge is on this road. Alternatively continue on the A4120 in the direction of Llangurig, there is an footpath into the woods from a layby on the left-hand side of the road at Ysbyty-Cynfyn.
Rheidol Hydro Electric Station: Turn off the A44 from Aberystwyth towards Llangurig at the village of Capel Bangor towards the dam at the Hydroelectric Power Station. You will pass an entrance to the Pant Da Reserve, which is on the left hand side of the road. There is limited parking directly in front of the access gate.
Public Transport Directions
The nearest mainline railway station is Aberystwyth, which is 12 miles away.
