The road east: steam to Devil's Bridge, the falls and the red kites

The Vale of Rheidol Railway is a narrow-gauge steam line from Park Avenue, next to the main station, up the valley to Devil's Bridge. The railway calls it a 24-mile round trip and puts the whole thing at two hours forty-five minutes with the stop at the top. Steam trains run every day until 1 November 2026, and its Ticket to Christmas events run from 16 to 23 December 2026, per its own page.

Tickets and timetables

The railway runs to coloured timetables, and the colour of the day decides how long you get at Devil's Bridge. The operator of the waterfalls says the orange timetable leaves you about an hour at the top, and the yellow and green ones, which run in high season, leave longer. Fares as the railway lists them: standard class full return £35.00 for an adult, £11.36 for a child, under twos free; first class £56.36; dogs £4.00. Online bookings carry a booking fee. Single tickets, which the online system does not sell, are at the booking office or by phone on 01970 625819. Standard class passengers can return on any public train that day. First class and the accessible compartment must return on the same train.

The Engine Shed Museum at the Aberystwyth station is free and worth twenty minutes before you board.

Devil's Bridge Waterfalls

Pontarfynach is 12 miles inland from Aberystwyth by the operator's count. The gorge has three bridges built one on top of another, the first built for walkers, the middle one wider for horses, carriages and early motor vehicles, and a stronger one by 1901 for heavier traffic, and a privately run trail down to the falls. The long walk is a 45-minute circuit, and the operator warns it is challenging, with 675 steps, and not suitable for pushchairs. Adults pay £5.50, children £3.50, seniors and students £4.50. A ten-minute Punchbowl walk to the three bridges costs £2.00 through the turnstile.

The attendant is on duty 9:30 to 17:00 daily. Outside that, the turnstiles work but the trail is not lit, and the operator says not to start after dusk. There is no mobile signal at the bottom. If you come on the orange timetable, leave the station quickly, turn left down the hill past the hotel and cross the bridge to the kiosk. There is a free car park at the entrance for about 35 cars.

Rain

The operator's FAQ says many people enjoy the walk in the rain, that the oak woodland gives shelter and that the slate steps get slippery, so use the handrails. The best day is a fine one after several wet ones, when the spray reaches the viewing platform.

The kites at Bwlch Nant yr Arian

Nine miles east of Aberystwyth on the A44, Natural Resources Wales feeds red kites by the lake at 2pm every day. Watching is free, and NRW says to expect as many as 150 birds, often more in winter. The easy-access Barcud Trail goes round the lake to a viewing point and a bird hide. barcud coch is Welsh for red kite. Parking is charged: £1 for an hour, £3 for two, £7 for four, £12 for the day, by contactless only at the machine or through RingGo. The cafe and shop are no longer operating, though there are portable toilets and a hot drink and cold food unit in the car park; the visitor centre is unstaffed with no first aid.

Fitting it together

The railway takes the day if you also want the falls. The kites need a car and a 2pm start, so they suit a separate afternoon. The full-day itinerary puts the train first and the pier and a pint after. Check the timetable at vor.wales the night before.