When the old Rhayader to Aberystwyth turnpike road, via Cwmystwyth, was replaced by an alternative route, it took the form, in 1812, of a new road from Aberystwyth to Ponterwyd where it joined the old parish road from Devil's Bridge to Llangurig (at the ford over the Castell river) which itself became progressively improved as it evolved into the modern A44 (1).
An early stage in the history of this road is represented by a pronounced 'loop' track following the contour on the north side of the modern formation, to the south-east of Eisteddfa Gurig. It is a level, grassed-over track (probably metalled), terraced into rising ground, about 2m wide and 190m long crossing a ford at a minor stream. It possibly follows the line of the former parish road prior to its improvement and forms part of the line of the road as shown on the first-edition OS maps.
The track is now gated and used to access an animal feed area.
Further traces of the former road line can be seen elsewhere, for example the track which now services Gelli-uchaf (SN785826).

(1) R.M.Colyer, Roads & Trackways of Wales (2001), p.174

David Leighton, RCAHMW, 30 January 2013