Devil's Bridge, Aberystwyth

So legend has it.......

The Devil visited Wales in the 11th century. Dressed as a monk, he met the old Megan of Llandunach who was distraught. The River Mynach was in flood and was pouring down the wooded dingle in five successive falls towards the great cauldron that seemed to bubble and boil below her.

However, Megan’s concern was for her only cow who had wandered over the other side of the ravine and could not be retrieved. “You need a bridge” said the monk “and I can build one for you”. Megan agreed that a bridge would be perfect to enable her cow to return home, however, concerned, she turned to the monk and said “but how am I to pay you?”

The monk replied that he was easily pleased and all he asked in payment was the first living creature to cross the bridge when he had completed it. Megan agreed to his terms and returned home, waiting to be called by the monk when the bridge had been completed. However, she was suspicious. It seemed an unfair exchange that she would be taken as she crossed the bridge but the cow would be OK. Plus, the monk was not all he seemed she thought, especially those feet! So, through the night she conjured up a plan that would ensure she kept her side of the bargain and retrieve the cow that was set to be her support in her old age.

“I have built the bridge” said the monk the next morning. Calling her faithful dog to her side, Megan looked at the bridge and replied that it looked very impressive. “Is it sturdy though?” she queried. “Of course” said the monk, “now it’s time for payment – the first living creature to pass over the bridge is mine”. As Megan took her first steps on the bridge, she took out a loaf of bread from her apron and hurled it across the bridge. Her dog leapt and followed the loaf, much to the monk’s dismay. “This dog is no use to me” he said and vanished into thin air.

And so the story goes that the Devil has never been seen in Wales since, forever embarrassed that he was outwitted by an old lady who kept her dog and retrieved her cow.

See the Devil’s Bride Falls (Rhaeadrau Pontarfynach) Website for more information.

Traveling to Pontarfynach

Devil’s Bridge Falls and the three arch bridges that span the Mynach River is 12 miles / 20Km from Aberystwyth on the A4120. postcode SY23 3JW.

A lovely way to reach Devil’s Bridge is via the Vale of Rheidol Railway that runs from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge and is only a 5 minute walk from the terminus.