Crychan Forest, near Llandovery

Overview

Crychan Forest is set in beautiful countryside between the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains. 

Years ago, before the trees were planted, drovers passed through here taking cattle and sheep from the mountains of mid Wales to Smithfield Market in London.

Nowadays, the car parks at Brynffo, Esgair Fwyog and Cefn Farm are the starting point for many miles of waymarked horse riding trails on forest roads and old tracks.

Walkers may also follow the horse riding trails.

The Halfway car park in Crychan Forest is also the starting point for a horse riding trail, a cycle trail and a walking trail.

The trails were created in partnership with the Crychan Forest Association.

Closures and diversions

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

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.

Facilities at these three car parks include:

• parking for approximately 30 vehicles, three corrals and six tethering rails (Brynffo car park)
• parking for approximately 10 cars, one corral and two tethering rails (Cefn Farm car park)
• parking for approximately 10 cars) and one corral (Esgair Fwyog car park) 

There is also a car park suitable for horse boxes at Halfway.

Horse riding trails are waymarked and follow old tracks where possible.

Cym Crychan Trail from Brynffo car park

5.1 miles, 8.2 kilometres

The Cwm Crychan Trail is a circular route which starts from Brynffo car park.  It follows winding tracks through the forest to the Cwm Crychan viewpoint with stunning views over the lower Tywi valley.

Cwm Dulais Trail from Cefn Farm car park

6.4 miles, 10.3 kilometres

The Cwm Dulais Trail is a circular route which starts from Cefn Farm car park. It offers fine views of the wooded Cwm Dulais and passes through three fords. The route can be extended by following the Cwar Cerrig Trail (see below).

Cwar Cerrig Trail

3.8 miles, 6.2 kilometres - extension to the Cwm Dulais Trail

The Cwar Cerrig Trail is an extension to the Cwm Dulais trail. It climbs over higher ground with great views before descending by the stone quarry and re-joining the Cwm Dulais Trail to return to Cefn Farm car park.

Allt Cwmcrychan Trail from Esgair Fwyog car park

3.8 miles, 6.4 kilometres

The Allt Cwmcrychan Trail is a circular route which starts from Esgair Fwyog car park. It offers long views over open pastures before it drops down into Cwm Crychan. It then climbs out of the valley along the forest road and back to the car park.

Carriage driving

There is open access for carriage driving on forest roads in Crychan Forest. 

Facilities for carriage drivers in Crychan Forest include:

• Brynffo car park with ample purpose-made parking for carriages and the recommended access point for carriage driving, as there is more room for parking and de-boxing there
• Cefn Farm car park with ample purpose-made parking for carriages
• There is limited space for carriages in the Halfway car park
• There is no access for carriages from the Esgair Fwyog car park

The Cefn Farm Carriage Route can be started from the car park at both Cefn Farm and Brynffo.

Cefn Farm Carriage Driving Route from Cefn Farm car park

13 miles, 21 kilometres

The Cefn Farm Carriage Driving Route follows forest roads between Cefn Farm car park and Brynffo car park. See the Crychan Forest Association website for more details.

How to get here

Location

Download the location map.

Brynffo, Cefn Farm and Esgair Fwyog car parks are all off the A483 between Llandovery and Builth Wells.

It is in the county of Carmarthernshire.

See below for further details and directions.

Parking is free of charge at these three car parks.

Brynffo car park

This car park is particularly suitable for horse boxes and carriage drivers.

Facilities

• parking for approximately 30 vehicles
• three corrals
• six tethering rails

Directions

Take the A483 from Llandovery for 4.2 miles and turn right at the Glanbran Arms, Cynghordy. Follow the minor road towards Tirabad for 2.8 miles. The entrance is on your right.

The OS grid reference is SN 848 409. 

Cefn Farm car park

The access to this car park is a single track road with limited passing places.

Facilities

1. parking for approximately 10 cars
2. one corral
3. two tethering rails

Directions

Take the A483 from Llandovery for 4.2 miles. Turn right at the brown and white sign for Crychan Forest Trails before you reach Cynghordy. After 50 yards, fork right along the single track road and the car park is on your left after approximately one mile. 

The OS grid reference is SN 813 386.

Esgair Fwyog car park

There is no access for carriage drivers to this car park.

Facilities

• parking for approximately 10 cars
• one corral

Directions

Take the A483 from Llandovery for 4.2 miles. Turn right at the brown and white sign for Crychan Forest Trails before you reach Cynghordy. Follow the minor road towards Tirabad and the entrance is on your right after approximately two miles.

The OS grid reference is SN 837 412.

Public transport

The nearest train station is in LLandovery. For details of public transport visit www.traveline.cymru

Contact details

Tel: 0300 065 3000

Email: enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk