Teifi River Pilgrimage

Teifi River Pilgrimage – 78 miles – 8 days

Flowing 73 miles, Afon Teifi (‘Afon’ is Welsh for River) is one of the longest rivers in Wales. Following this mighty watercourse from source to sea is a magical experience.

The source of the river is in the rugged landscape of the Cambrian Mountains above the ruins of the 12^th-century Cistercian monastery of Strata Florida.

You will criss-cross the river as she flows out of the peat bogs of Cors Caron down into a wide glacial valley passing near the drovers town of Tregaron and then Llanddewi Brefi and its St David’s Church, built on the mound which legend says miraculously rose up to elevate St David above the crowd at a synod in the 6^th Century. Folkloric tales abound in this remote area, especially the legends of Twm Sion Catti, the Welsh Robin Hood of his time.

Further downstream is Lampeter, an ancient seat of learning, past hill fort sites and holy wells. Get up close and personal with the Teifi with a canoe option west of Lampeter. Then from Llandysul, the path is close to the river as she flows past market and mill towns, through gorges and over the falls at Cenarth, where coracles are an ancient form of river transport. Finally, reaching the coastal town of Cardigan (Aberteifi, mouth of the Teifi), your river companion meets Cardigan Bay and both your journeys’ end.

There is much beauty and narrative in this dramatic Celtic landscape and life-giving river. The journey creates an other-worldly sense of time in its pilgrims and a love for this land.

Low-cost hostels along route – Claerddu Bothy, Capel Dewi, Cardigan YHA; and across region.

Book a Guided Pilgrimage to take you along the whole river

If you want to be guided by someone other than yourself, then local guide Christine Smith is a Spiritual Companion and Lowland Mountain Leader. She has previously led groups to Machu Picchu in Peru and Mount Roraima in Venezuela and now enjoys exploring the walking routes closer to home in West Wales. She creates opportunities for people to safely explore their spiritual depths through pilgrimage and meditation.

‍