The Vale of Rheidol Railway has been in operation for 122 years and takes you deep into the center of the Cambrian Mountains and to one of the crucial iconic vacationer points of interest in the entire of Wales
I have been privileged in my job to have been requested to journey the size and breadth of Wales by prepare, discovering the gorgeous landscapes that our nation gives alongside its historic railway traces.
From Llanelli to mid Wales on the Coronary heart of Wales line and from mid Wales to the Llŷn Peninsula are two of the best journeys, however nothing fairly compares to what I skilled as I sped alongside the Vale of Rheidol Railway – a journey that takes you deep into the center of the Cambrian Mountains and to one of the crucial iconic vacationer points of interest in all of Wales.
This railway has been operational for 123 years, having first opened its doorways approach again in 1902. It was initially constructed to serve native communities and to move lead and timber, however for almost all of the final century it has been utilized by vacationers to marvel on the breathtaking views. From famous person gigs to cosy pubs, discover out What’s On in Wales by signing as much as our publication right here.
My start line: Aberystwyth. My vacation spot: Satan’s Bridge. A mere 12 miles aside, the journey onboard a century-old prepare carriage takes an hour. Concern not, I am a west Wales native – I am properly accustomed to coach rides taking longer than anticipated.
However right this moment, for as soon as, I am not grumbling. This journey, with its magnificence magnified on a wonderful sunny day, might have lasted all day.
Parking is accessible straight outdoors the Vale of Rheidol Railway station, or in case you’re coming from the city’s predominant railway station, merely bypass the platforms and take a short stroll down a gravel path till the sight of the steam prepare greets you.
As soon as aboard, the choo-choos sign the beginning of your journey as steam billows into the air alongside your coated however open carriage, immediately whisking you again in time and creating the feeling of starring in a classic movie.
Swiftly passing a soccer pitch, then a cricket pitch, I quickly discover myself immersed within the coronary heart of my journey, accompanied solely by timber, fields and streams as I glide via a shocking valley flanked by hills on both aspect. The route options a number of stops, every meticulously maintained with signage proudly displaying names comparable to Glanyrafon, Capel Bangor, Nantyronen, Aberffrwd, and Rhiwfron.
Roughly 40 minutes into the journey the surroundings transforms from merely stunning to actually spectacular because the carriage ascends and meanders to an elevation of 680ft above sea degree. This vantage level gives a dramatic drop into the valley under and unveils a panoramic view of the Afon Rheidol in all its glory because it expands into the Cwm Rheidol Reservoir.
All of the whereas, you sit again, excessive above, as if navigating the mountains of Italy. I had thought nothing might surpass the railway journey alongside the west coast to Pwllheli in Gwynedd, however this would possibly simply high it.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to have taken the prepare throughout a marvellously sunny day, so I made a decision in opposition to taking a jacket. Nevertheless, if you wish to sit within the open carriages with out home windows – and you actually ought to for the complete expertise – then maybe convey a jumper as it could actually get a bit nippy as you are winding via the hills.
After just below an hour of a very gorgeous journey we arrived on the splendidly named Satan’s Bridge, or Pontarfynach in Welsh, which interprets to ‘The bridge on the Mynach’. Surprisingly, I had by no means been right here earlier than although it appears like a type of locations each Welsh individual visits on a faculty journey.
As you disembark from the steam prepare a brief stroll takes you right down to the principle a part of the village. This was as soon as a part of the Hafod Property and owned by 18th-century MP Thomas Johnes, who constructed a small looking lodge that has since been expanded and upgraded to change into the Hafod Lodge.
On a vibrant and sunny weekday quite a few individuals may be seen reverse the resort, relishing a pint of beer or a cup of espresso with the soothing sound of a cascading waterfall offering an idyllic backdrop. As you amble across the nook, you encounter the principle attraction of Satan’s Bridge – three bridges, stacked atop one another, towering over the Mynach and Rheidol streams.
Nestled within the coronary heart of the Cambrian Mountains are a number of choices for these wishing to embark on a hike and really earn that refreshing pint or heat pot of tea.
Two walks start from the apex of the three bridges themselves, accessible through turnstiles. One, costing £2 (you faucet your card on the entrance), gives a short stroll beneath the bridges and a possibility to rise up near the speeding water. The opposite, priced at £4.75, is an extended and tougher ramble deep into the Rheidol gorge, providing views of the 300ft Mynach waterfalls.
It is a uncommon sight, seeing three bridges stacked above each other, however it lends this small village a novel attraction. As for the builders – native folklore suggests the primary was erected by none aside from the satan himself.
An data board you encounter as you descend from the prepare station tells the story: “An previous woman had discovered her cow had strayed throughout the river and was unable to get it again. The satan got here alongside and promised her that he would construct a bridge over the gorge for her. By means of fee the satan needed to maintain the primary dwelling creature that crossed over it, considering that he would seize the previous lady’s soul.”
To chop an extended story quick, the lady tossed some bread to the opposite aspect and her canine dashed throughout the bridge, leaving the satan to accept the soul of an animal as a substitute. A extra believable rationalization is that the unique bridge was doubtless constructed by the monks of Strata Florida, a former Cistercian abbey 10 miles to the south, within the twelfth century. The second bridge was then inbuilt 1753 and the third (or high) bridge was erected in 1901.
Following a pleasant go to to a chocolate store on my approach again to the station, I hopped onto my return prepare sure for Aberystwyth. It had been a rare day trip, one which I am shocked I hadn’t skilled earlier than.
However I actually will once more within the close to future. We’re extremely fortunate right here in Wales to have historic railway traces nonetheless in operation, transporting us straight into the center of such breathtaking landscapes.
Having launched into a number of prepare journeys over the previous few years, none supply extra spectacular views than these seen on the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
