Nearest train station: Aberystwyth
This beautiful wild swimming spot in Ceredigion, situated in a remote and peaceful section of the River Ystwyth, is a great location for a fresh river dip after a picnic and a walk.
Much like the Rheidol Valley Falls swimming spot, this is a location that bears particular fondness for Owain as he spent many summers visiting his Welsh relatives and splashing around in the Ystywyth river as a child.
The pool in question is located near the Trawscoed/Trawsgoed estate and just off the Black Covert woods, a few hundred metres downstream from the Birch Grove Walk.
The wooded area is popular with ramblers and picnic goers, though there are few spots you can access beyond the shrubbery with relative ease thanks to adjacent stoney riverbanks. Make sure you visit during a dry day as the river can get quite dangerous speed-wise and high in rainy conditions. On a good day, you can enjoy crystal-clear river waters with a refreshing temperature – ideal for a warm summer’s day.
How to Get to the River Ystwyth at Trawscoed
We’ve provided detailed instructions on how to get to this great Ceredigion swimming location by various means of transport below, as well as general travel information nearby.
By car
Enter the postcode SY23 4AB into your sat nav. This will lead you to the aforementioned Birch Grove Walk.
If you’re heading from Aberystwyth, follow the B340 towards Trawscoed. You’ll eventually come to a bridge crossing over the Ystwyth River towards Trawscoed that will lead you onto the B4575. There will be a left turn immediately after this bridge; follow this for a few hundred metres and you’ll be able to park up at the Black Covert woods.
Walk up from the car park a few more hundred metres and you’ll see a few breaks in the shrubbery on the left where you can access swimmable pools off the main walking path.
By public transport
If you’re arriving from the nearest town (Aberystwyth) There is actually a bus (the T21) that runs from Aberystwyth station.
After about 30 minutes, alight at Wenallt and then walk about 10 minutes back up the riverside where you’ll be able to cross over into the Black Covert woods.
By bike
The River Ystwyth is ripe with cycle trails and there are plenty of routes that you can traverse. The path around the Black Covert woods is relatively bike-friendly (gravel paths).
The Ystwyth Trail in particular, a 20km route that runs from Aberystwyth to Tregaron, is certainly worth exploring with this spot near Trawscoed settling roughly in the middle of the route.
What else is nearby Trawscoed?
Aside from the aforementioned Rheidol Valley Falls a few miles north, you can follow the river further downstream where there are plenty of other wild swimming pools.
There are also further nature trails nearby such as the Maenarthur Trail which are certainly worth exploring.