Mid-Western trail/Gorllewin Canolbarth Cymru
Castell Dinerth/Castell Dineirth
Dinerth has been the site of a number of battles since it was built in the early twelfth century and has swopped hands between the English and Welsh on a number of occasions. Mounds and defensive banks and ditches can still be seen. It is situated about two miles southeast of Aberarth which is on the coast on the A487. The site is by the river southeast of Esgair Arth.
Trefilan Castle/Castell Trefilan
Built in the first half of the thirteenth century little remains of this Welsh castle. The mound now remains and is located beside Trefilan parish church on the B4342.
Gaer Penrhos Hillfort/Llanrhystud Castle/Castell Cadwaladr
This is the site of an Iron Age Fort that encircled a hill top above the junction of Afon Wyre Fawr and Afon Wyre Fach with commanding views. Within the hill fort is the castle built around the mid twelfth century. The site is off the B4337 close to and east of Llhanrhystud which is a coastal village on the A487.
Pen Dinas
The hill of Pen Dinas and is the site of an Iron Age hill fort. Close by there is also a Bronze Age burial mound on the southern summit. There were originally two forts here that were then joined together making it an extensive site. The first of the forts to be built was on the northern lower summit and then a further one was built on higher ground to the south. The site is on the coast just south of the town of Aberystwyth.
Aberystwyth Castle/Castell Aberystwyth
The ruins of this thirteenth century castle are on a promontory at the south end of the promenade overlooking the harbour. It was captured by the Welsh in the late thirteenth century when still under construction, recaptured and then building completed. Owain Glynd?r took the castle in 1406 and held it for two years. Aberystwith Castle also saw action in the Civil War until overrun by Parliamentary forces. The castle's layout is clearly seen today with ringwalls, corner towers and gatehouses. The site is situated overlooking the harbour at the south end of the Aberystwyth promenade and the seaside town is on the A487 and A44.
Trawscoed Fort
This is an Iron Age hill fort about eight miles southeast from Aberystwyth and close to the town of Trawscoed. Trawscoed is by the B4575 and on the River Ystwyth It dates from about 70 AD. The fort is about 207 feet above sea level and was surrounded by a ditch of nearly ten feet in width and about three feet deep.
Hen Gaer
This hill fort is to the east of Bow Street which is on the A487 north of Aberystwyth. It is on a site that gives commanding views and the structure is made up of stone blocks which can be seen on the northeast side.
Castell Gwallter
This is an early twelfth century motte and bailey castle which seems to have been left to decay after the mid twelfth century. The mound and bailey can be seen and is protected by a ditch, although there does not appear to be any stone work remaining. The site is off the B4353 on private land (but can be viewed) about a mile west of Llandre, North of Aberystwyth.
Castell Cynfael
This is a Welsh castle in the motte and bailey style built in the twelfth century and has commanding views over the Dysynni valley. The castle mound is protected by a ditch and banking. The site is of the A493 going north from Aberdovey/Aberdyfi on the north side of the estuary of the River Dyfi and is about three miles northeast of Tywyn where footpaths from Byrncug take you to the castle.
Castell-y-Bere
This Welsh castle was built by Llewellyn ap Iowerth in 1221 and gives commanding views over the Dysynni valley. It is situated on a rocky hill and has twin D shaped towers with the ruins of the chapel tower, stairs, walls and keep are also still visible. A year after Llewellyn ap Gruffydd's death the castle fell to Edward 1 in 1283 and was then burnt by Madog ap Llewellyn after which it was abandoned. The site is situated close to Llanfihangel-y-Pennant and is about two miles northwest of Aberglynolwyn, southwest of Dolgellau, off the B4405.