Ramblers in Ceredigion have come up with the idea of a trail

The Teifi Trail, starting at Teifi Pools near Strata Florida, would run for 70 miles before linking up with the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire coastal paths at Cardigan.

The Wales Tourist Board says spending by walking visitors brings in �550m a year to the rural and coastal economies in Wales.

But Ceredigion Council believes the county is lagging behind other areas, and hopes this new initiative will help it catch up with neighbouring Pembrokeshire's success in bringing in thousands of walkers to its coastal paths each year.

Not much money from walking tourism has come into Ceredigion and these projects could do a lot to attract more tourists to the area David Bateman, Ceredigion Ramblers

A project to form a path along Ceredigion's coastline has already attracted �500.000 of Objective 1 European aid.

And council officers believe the trail, following the sweep of the river Teifi, will provide an added attraction to walkers visiting the area.

"The Teifi trail will be a route primarily for walkers since the proposed route is based on existing rights of way which are predominantly public footpaths," said Ian Dutch, Ceredigion's coast and countryside officer.

As well as attracting tourists, the plan is to help get local people out walking.

"We also want to set up circular walks around settlements such as Lampeter for people who are visiting these areas and only want to go for short four or five mile walks."

If the local authority receives enough grant aid the trail could be up and running within three years, said Mr Dutch.

A scheme to link up Ceredigion's coastal paths has already started

David Bateman from Ceredigion Ramblers, who came up with the trail idea, said their ultimate target was to have three inter-locking paths forming a complete loop throughout the county.

"The coastal project is well under way and we are very hopeful that the Teifi Trail can attract sufficient funding to make it feasible," he said.

"We would then work on a path between Strata Florida across to Borth to link the whole network up."

It has been estimated that �14m of spending is generated each year in the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path area by ramblers.

"Not much money from walking tourism has come into Ceredigion and these projects could do a lot to attract more tourists," said Mr Bateman.