Rheidol Valley

The quiet Rheidol Valley or 'Cwm Rheidol' is a rather good choice for a touring day out, featuring typically Welsh scenery, some unexpected attractions such as major hydro-electric power station and a chance for activities such as fishing and cycling.

Covering over 60 square miles (160 km²), Cwm Rheidol is home to the largest hydro-electric scheme in England and Wales and an important hub for energy company Statkraft.

As well as the chain of reservoirs to fish in or explore, the visitor centre offers displays and exhibitions explaining the scheme, along with guided tours of the power station and its fish farm. There's also a Butterfly Farm to explore.

The reservoirs include the impressive Nant-y-Moch reservoir in the shadow of the Pumlumon mountains, a short distance north of Ponterwyd (map) and its smaller downriver counterpart, Dinas Reservoir. Both reservoirs are stocked with varieties of trout and permits for fishing can be bought from the Rheidol Filling Station in Ponterwyd.

Also in the hils near Ponterwyd is the Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine, which offers deep underground tours and a family-friendly insight into the area's history of mining.

The falls at the little Cwm Felin Reservoir near to the visitor centre are floodlit at night until about 11pm BST or 10pm GMT.

Rheidol Cycle Trail

Starting at the harbour in Aberystwyth, this 17 mile (27 km) trail leads you through the Rheidol Valley to Devil's Bridge, mainly along quiet back roads and dedicated cycle routes. The trail is shown on local Ordnance Survey maps, and signposted from the harbour in Aberystwyth.

Although unchallenging for most of its distance, there is a very steep climb up from the valley floor to Devil's Bridge, so be prepared - or take the alternative ending to the route which leads to the old Rheidol mines.