This walk explores the Parc Natur Penglais. We start at the University and return to it and on the way explore woods, trees, animal life, space, energy and the global politics in its diverse manifestations

 Link to openly available OS map for the area, edited by us to indicate the route: To Parc Natur Penglais viewpoint from Aberystwyth Arts Centre Carpark and back Distance 2.72km; Time: 37 min; Total Elevation 50m.

Optional Route: just past Beech trees, take a turn North to follow the edge of golf course to solar farm, where you should turn right, proceed past II WW gardens and back to campus via Pentre Jane Morgan estate and the walk-way bridge. 

Link to openly available OS map for the area, edited by us to indicate the route’: To Parc Natur Penglais Viewpoint and back Via Solar Array and WWII Garden Distance 3.97km; Time: 57min; Total Elevation 102m. 

Description of walk and reflections

1. Start the walk at Arts Centre steps, proceed down the main university road to the left (west) until University entrance. 

Reflection point 1. Wild Flowers

2. There walk down the main road circa 50m and cross at pedestrian crossing. Walk back up along the main road and turn into Penglais woods by the ‘gate house’. Walk 20 m and stop by a drive proceeding to your right. This is the AU botanical glass house. 

Reflection points 2 and 3. Tropical House and Ginkgo Trees 

3. Proceed further down the drive and before entrance to drive, turn right by a sign indicating a walking path and again left to join a walking path into the woods. Veer to the left to follow the side of the hill into the woods.  

Reflection point 4. Oak Trees and War 

4. Proceed further into the woods. At a sign with a map of the woods and a bench listen to 

Reflection point 5. Parc Natur Penglais 

5. Proceed further into the woods until you reach a large clearing. 

Reflection point 6. Beech Trees 

6. Proceed through the clearing and take the ‘middle’ path which then turns to your left on top of an elevated section; turn right and up steps and you will have reached the viewpoint. Proceed down the other side of the viewpoint with bench and turn to your right: follow path/under the trees and you will have reached the quarry. 

Reflection point 7 and 8. Lizards and Quarry & Viewpoint (Tolkien hearsay) 

7. For main route: retrace your steps back to the University.  

8. For optional route: Retrace steps to where you turned left off the beech tree clearing and proceed to your left to follow path which leads to edge of golf course. Follow edge of golf course. When walking past golf course stop for: 

Reflection point 9. Sports and Land 

9. Proceed further up the path to solar farm.  

Reflection point 10. Solar Farm 

10. Turn right down to IIWW gardens.

Reflection point 11. II WW  gardens 

• From the IIWW gardens continue down the hill, then turn right and walk through Pentre Jane Morgan to the footbridge across the A487
• Cross the A487 using the footbridge and follow the university signs back to the Arts Centre.

Additional resources: 

AU Botany Gardens 

Botany Gardens  : Department of Life Sciences , Aberystwyth University 

Aberystwyth University and Sustainability 

Sustainability at Aberystwyth University  : About Us , Aberystwyth University 

JRR Tolkien’s Wales  

JRR Tolkien’s Wales | Tours Of Wales 

A different route to ours but some useful information: https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/media/1514/penglais-guided-walk.pdf