Attractions and Places To See around Llanfair-Ar-Y-Bryn - Top 20

Unavoidable !

Devil’s Staircase is a climb for mountain bike type gears and an advantage for those that can ride out of the saddle .My attempts have failed miserably,best of luck.

THE TALE OF THE WELSH “ROBIN HOOD” Known as Twm Siôn Cati Twm Siôn Cati is a historically known figure in Welsh folklore. A tale recounted by Meyrick recalls how Twm was asked by a poor man to steal a pitcher for him. They went together to a merchant where Twm started belittling the man's wares. Having told his friend secretly to take the pitcher of his choice, Twm distracted the merchant by telling him there was a hole in one of the pitchers, which the man denied. Twm desired him to put his hand in the pitcher to test it and the man still denied there was a hole. Twm then asked him how, if there was no hole, could he have put his hand inside? By this time his friend had disappeared with his pitcher, undetected. A tale from Prichard's book involves an occasion when Twm is staying in an inn overnight and realises other people are planning to rob him the following day after he sets off. He has a large sum of money with him. The following morning he behaves as though his money is in the pack-saddle of his horse. When the highwayman catches up, Twm drops the saddle in the middle of a pool. The highwayman wades into the pool to fetch it, Twm takes the opportunity to make off with the highwayman's horse. A complication arises because the horse responds to the voice of the highwayman crying "Stop!" Luckily Twm, in terror, happens to shout a word which makes the horse gallop on again, and he is conveyed to safety. Another tale recounts how Twm waylaid a rich squire, who was accompanied by his daughter, Twm was so smitten with her that he returned her jewellery to her and attempted to woo her, against her father's opposition and, initially, her own. One full moon shortly after the robbery, he crept to her window, roused her from sleep, caught her hand at the window and kissed it, refusing to let her go until she promised to marry him. She wouldn't promise so Twm drew his dagger, drew blood on her wrist and threatened to sever her hand unless she assented to marriage forthwith. She agreed to marry him and she kept her hand. Their marriage followed soon after, despite her father's views and the directness of Twm's courtship methods. The girl was supposedly the widow of the sheriff of Carmarthen. Through this marriage Twm is supposed to have gained respectability, eventually becoming a justice of the peace, sitting in judgement on others, a position he held until his death aged 79.

What an beautiful valley and with many great swimming spots its my favourite

Lovely mix of fire road to start with and then a huge climb up and over into a valley that time forgot - perfect single track - although can be a bit muddy in places. Probably best to make sure there has not been too much rain in the week before riding this route - and in the winter be prepared for quick changes of weather and plummeting temperatures.

Beautiful valley with many wild swim spots

Wolf's Leap is a deep pool along the River Irfon. It is accessed via a small path cut into the rock. At this point the river cuts through a narrow gorge in the rock resulting in a deeper pool, perfect for a dip! Don't forgot to bring a packed lunch!

This attractive RSPB site has a circular footpath adjacent to a river with beautiful rock cascades and old mossy trees. It is also home to the Twm Sion Cati's cave. All worth a look off of the bike.