About

The Crychan and Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains. Here miles of waymarked trails take you through tranquil grassy gorges, along old drover's routes and past cascading waterfalls, taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains of Mid Wales.

The Forest is beautifully situated at the gateway of the Cambrian mountains, on the border of the Brecon Beacons National Park. There is a contrast of trees from the native oak, ash, beech and hazel of the original ancient forest, to the imported conifers, which have a beauty all of their own. Depending on the season, the colours vary from the winter whites of snowdrops, the yellow hues of daffodils and gorse, the spectacular sight of the blue haze made up of thousands of bluebells, and the golden amber of the autumn foliage.

The many miles of way-marked routes with breathtaking views, are on forest roads, criss-crossed with old tracks and drovers roads providing a safe environment for horse riding, cycling and walking. The drove roads were once used to drive livestock through the wild mountains of mid-Wales en route to Smithfield Market in London. Nowadays you won't hear the bleating of sheep or the lowing of cattle, more likely the cry of a buzzard or red kite as they soar on the rising currents of air.

The horse riding trails follow old tracks where possible, whereas the cycle routes follow the varied gradients of forest roads. All these routes are available to walkers.

On these tracks which run over hills and through wooded valleys, you may be lucky enough to see a variety of wild life, including red kites, honey buzzards, goshawks, many more birds and animals. You may come across the ivy-clad ruins of one of the old farms that once dotted this area.

WALKING TRAILS:
Walks from the four car parks at Halfway, Cefn Farm, Esgair Fwyog and Brynffo are easy to follow, by looking out for the wooden waymarker posts with symbols depicting a coloured footprint and direction arrow.

HALFWAY WALKS
2 short walks in Halfway Forest.
2 gentle trails never far from the waters of the Nant y Dresglen.

CEFN FARM WALK
A moderate 2.5 mile walk in Crychan Forest from the Cefn Farm car park.
You’ll pass the ruins of the old 19th century farmhouse Glyn Moch before dropping down to the stream in Cwm Dulas. Try to imagine pigs rooting about here – as Glyn Moch means ‘valley of pigs’. Easy tracks return you to the start at Cefn Farm.

ESGAIR FWYOG WALK
A moderate 4.5 mile walk in Crychan Forest from the Esgair Fwyog car park.
Take in the long views down the Tywi valley before reaching the secluded stream in Cwm Crychan. Look out for an almost hidden waterfall before the trail makes the gentle climb back to where you started at Esgair Fwyog.

BRYNFFO WALK
A moderate 3.5 mile walk in Crychan Forest from the Brynffo car park.
Enjoy long views of the Cambrian Mountains to the north, before dropping into the sheltered valley of Cwm Crychan. You will follow the trail beside the stream, before climbing up through the trees, back to the start at Brynffo.

NANT Y DRESGLEN TRAIL (2.2 miles, 3.6 miles).
This trail is a circular walk which winds its way through the trees, never going far from the waters of Nant y Dresglen.

HORSE RIDING TRAILS:
There is open access for horse riders throughout Crychan Forest, apart from the military training area on the Epynt and around Sennybridge where visitors must observe local danger signs. The car parks at Brynffo, Esgair Fwyog and Cefn Farm are each the starting point for a horse riding trail. There is also a carriage driving route which starts from the Cefn Farm car park.Horse riding trails are waymarked and follow old tracks where possible.

CEFN ARTHEN HORSE RIDING TRAIL (3.9 miles, 5.6 kilometres)
The Cefn Arthen Trail starts from Halfway car park and can be extended by following the Cwm y Glyn Trail (see below). The circular trail climbs steadily from the waters of Nant y Dresglen and offers excellent views of the western Brecon Beacons.

CWM Y GLYN HORSE RIDING TRAIL (4 miles, 6.5 kilometres – extension to Cefn Arthen Trail)
This circular extension to the Cefn Arthen trail follows the public road up to the army ranges before turning back along tracks with good views across Cwm y Glyn.

CEFN ARTHEN-CWM CRYCHAN HORSE RIDING TRAIL (5.9 miles, 9.5 kilometres – link from Cefn Arthen Trail)
This is a linear link from the Cefn Arthen trail to join the Cwm Crychan Trail. The trail goes past the Babel shelter and rewards you with excellent views of the western Brecon Beacons.

Wherever possible, the horse trails follow old tracks. Cycle routes mostly keep to the gentle gradients on forest roads. Walkers can use either.

We created the trails in partnership with the Crychan Forest Association.

Please note:

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations.
Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff.
Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place.