The Dyfi Valley

This is a popular destination for travellers from all over the world. It has historical and cultural attractions too numerous to mention here (see Attractions link), while many simply come down to take in the beautiful Welsh scenery. The White Lion Hotel is an ideal, centrally-located base for exploring the area.

Machynlleth is in the lower reaches of the Dyfi valley, and is just above the river's tidal limits. Above the town, the Dyfi may be followed up a broad, green valley until its headwaters, in the Arans above Dinas Mawddwy, are reached. The river's source is a high, remote mountain lake below the 2970 ft summit of Aran Fawddwy. Below Machynlleth, the valley opens out and pastures give way to the salt-marshes of the estuary, before the river flows out into Cardigan Bay between Ynyslas and Aberdyfi. The combination of mountain, valley, estuary and sea creates an incredibly diverse range of scenery and ecological habitats and a similarly diverse range of activities for locals and visitors alike.

R: The upper part of the valley with the Arans in the background, as seen from the Machynlleth to Llanidloes mountain road.

Horseriding, hillwalking and mountain-biking enthusiasts come to Mid-Wales to explore the miles of upland bridleways which weave their way through the hills, many being ancient trackways used formerly as drover's roads. Game enthusiasts will find that the Dyfi Valley boasts a number of well-organised shoots while for the fisherman, rivers like the Dyfi have an almost magnetic draw, famed as they are for the quality of their salmon and sea-trout. But there are also the miles of coastline for the sea-angler to explore, and for those who enjoy a day out afloat, there are deep-sea angling boats based in both Aberystwyth and Aberdyfi.

Even on cloudier days (and we do get them on the West Coast!) there are still fascinating things to see, such as the once extremely rare Red Kite, one of Britain's rarest birds, for which Mid-Wales is a stronghold. Kites have actually been seen soaring over the hotel! This one was photographed on a wet day at Derwenlas, only two miles away.

Boats may also be booked to seek out the dolphins and porpoises of Cardigan Bay, for this is an area with more than the usual variety of wildlife. This is due to the diversity of natural habitats, from craggy mountainsides like Cadair Idris to the salt-marshes of the Dyfi Estuary. Nationally-important nature reserves, such as Ynys-Hir and Ynyslas, are a major feature of the area, but the observant walker will see much of interest in an afternoon's circuit of the hills around Machynlleth, even in the depths of winter (after which they can defrost in front of a blazing log fire at the White Lion!).

An excellent way to access the coast is via the Cambrian Coast line, one of the most scenic anywhere in the UK. Trains leave Machynlleth and cross the river at Glandyfi, then onward to Aberdyfi as the line winds its way along the beautiful estuary. You can easily go north to Pwllhelli, Porthmadog or Harlech in a day, or simply jump off at Aberdyfi or Tywyn to laze about on the beach. A second branch of the line also runs from Glandyfi down via Borth to the university town of Aberystwyth. The image (L) shows the line a few miles from Aberdyfi on a bright autumn day. See our Attractions page for links to rail travel information. There is also information there about local buses and taxis.

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