The river Teifi begins its journey at Llyn Teifi, its source 1500 feet up on the western flanks of the Cambrian Mountains. It flows west through a picturesque river valley that forms a natural boundary between the Ceredigion plateau to the north and the Carmarthenshire plateau to the south. On its journey west to Cardigan Bay the Teifi passes through spectacular white water gorges, waterfalls, lush water meadows and shallow riffles over gravel beds that provide a rich range of habitats for wildlife.

The basin of Cors Caron, also known as Cors Goch Glanteifi (The Red Bog on the Banks of the Teifi) lies near the source of the river and is one of the few remaining raised bogs in Wales. It's an important conservation site for a wide variety of plants, particularly liverworts and mosses, and a range of insects and other invertebrates. In nearby Tregaron the Red Kite Centre has exhibitions on the birds that can be seen at Cors Caron and, of course, on the fortunes of the red kite itself.

The red kite, once extremely rare, has become a symbol for the conservation movement in Wales, and a reminder of how successful conservation action can be. The hills of Ceredigion and the upper Teifi and Towy valleys were, for most of the last century, the last remaining stronghold for the bird in the UK for many years there were only 10 pairs in Wales. The first Kite protection organisation was formed in 1903, and more recently the Wildlife Trust of West Wales, the RSPB and the Welsh Kite Trust have contributed to the growth in numbers with around 195 pairs by the end of the last century.

The River Teifi and its tributaries are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and are also a Special Landscape Area. It's also been proposed as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), due to the presence of the bullhead (a fish which is unusual because the cock fish cares for the eggs until they hatch), three different kinds of lamprey (a primitive jawless fish which looks like an eel), and salmon. Rare plants such as floating water plantain and water crowfoot can also be found along the river.

But the river doesn't just provide a rich environment for wildlife. Man has also taken advantage of the abundance of natural resources the Teifi has to offer. Historically, net fishing from the famous Teifi coracle provided food for the communities living along the river, with sea trout (sewin) and salmon being caught, although the river is also renowned for its brown trout and grayling. At Cenarth Falls salmon can be seen negotiating the leaps during Spring from April to June, and in the Autumn during late September and early October. Sea trout make their run in summer from June to August.

In the nineteenth century Teifi coracles were constructed by platting a frame from hazel and willow gathered from coppices along the river and covering the frame with flannel obtained from the mills around Newcastle Emlyn, which was waterproofed using tar or pitch. They're still produced, though now covered with calico or canvas, and can be seen at the National Coracle Centre at Cenarth Falls. The fishing industry on the river is in serious decline however - in 1861 there were 300 coracles fishing on the Teifi wheras today only 12 people with licenses fish the river using them. Rod fishing is now a favourite pastime on the river providing a rich source of income for the inhabitants of the Teifi valley through tourism.

As the river reaches the sea at Cardigan (Aberteifi) it passes through an array of habitats including reed-beds, ancient woodland, water meadows, salt marsh, shingle banks, sand dunes and crumbling cliffs of clay which provide food and protection for marine and other wildlife. Otters are seen around the river and marshes and badgers thrive in the woods. At the Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran even Asian water buffalo can be found as theyve been introduced to manage the reed beds by controlling the growth of invasive plants like the common reed and reedmace. Management of the reed beds is important as they offer food and vital cover for birds such as cettis warbler and kingfisher, while out in Cardigan Bay the Teifis mud flats provide food for waders such as greenshank, dunlin, sandpiper and curlew.