Hafod Estate: Lady's Walk and the Ystwyth Gorge

The walk starts from the car park beside Hafod church, in the picturesque landscape of the Hafod Estate near Pontrhydygroes. It goes first along the waymarked Ystwyth Gorge Walk, east to the Peiran Falls and round a loop on the paths along both sides of the River Ystwyth gorge; the Hafod Trust, which restored the paths, says the loop crosses the river by the Chain Bridge, a narrow suspension bridge. An estate track then links to the Lady's Walk, one of the two circuits Thomas Johnes made in his first years at Hafod, which runs on paths and tracks through parkland and wooded valleys and brings the walk back to the car park.

It is 5.3 km with 149 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy.

The gorge path is narrow and runs beside steep drops, and is not for anyone who dislikes them. The National Trust says that Cavern Cascade, the Tunnel and Mossy Seat Falls are closed for repairs, with a section of the Gentleman's Walk and a diversion; this walk does not use the Gentleman's Walk, but passes the junction where the gorge path meets it. Follow any signs on the day.

OpenStreetMap tags the car park as free of charge. The Trust's page says the car park and the countryside are open from dawn to dusk.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.