Tre Taliesin is a small village with very limited parking. We found a lay-by on the outskirts – the Machynlleth side. Taliesin was a bardic poet from the 6th century. Frank Lloyd Wright renowned named his home Taliesin favouring the poet, but with a nod to his grandparents who emigrated from Ceredigion to America
Good signposting down Church Street and for about 4 miles the walk is fairly straight forward. Through Cors Fachno, part of the Dyfi National Nature reserve, a Designated UNESCO Biosphere site.
We were joined on our walk through the Bog by a large heron which swooped up from the ditches as we approached, leading the way through the peat mire. Its broad wingspan reminded Lucy of a Tetradactyl.
The horse flies were not such welcome companions, multiple itchy bites from the persistent beggars!
As you leave Cors Fachno head to the left and then right as you might be tempted to take the more obvious path leading directly to the right of the gate.
Onwards to Borth, where people were very friendly, telling us all about the submerged forest and pointing us to a sculpture in Welsh slate inspired by the forest and the Legend of Cantre’r Gwaelog – an ancient legend which speaks of a fabulous city covering the length of Cardigan Bay which was drowned by the incoming sea.
We stopped for a cuppa at Oriel Tir a Mor – yet another welcoming venue. They cater for small walking groups, so worthy of note.
We made our way through the sleepy town, heading up the slope to the War Memorial. Looking down at Borth, it looks very vulnerable, low on the shore line – the view takes in the curve of Cardigan Bay, across Dovey Estuary to the Lleyn and Snowdon peak.
The leisurely start to this leg had lulled us into thinking the walk was going to be super easy. Not so, from the monument to Clarach Bay the path rises and falls constantly.
Thankfully, it evened out somewhat for the last stretch to Constitution Hill, we then gratefully zig-zagged our way down alongside the Cliff Railway to the Promenade at Aberystwyth …