Teifi Valley
Cardigan and the Teifi Marshes
From the castle where the first eisteddfod was held, along the river to a wetland reserve with hides over the marsh.
- Distance
- 3.7 mi / 6 km
- Time
- 2 hr
- Ascent
- 100 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
Follow the Teifi downstream from the town to the Welsh Wildlife Centre and the marshes, returning by the same path or the lanes.
Worth knowing
- The first recorded eisteddfod was held at Cardigan castle in 1176 by the Lord Rhys.
- The Welsh Wildlife Centre has a good café and hides over the marsh.
- Water buffalo graze the reserve for conservation.
What you’ll see
The castle, the Teifi, the marshes and their hides, and Cilgerran gorge upstream.
Background
Rhys ap Gruffudd held a festival of poetry and music at Cardigan in 1176, taken as the origin of the eisteddfod tradition.