Gwydir Forest Park - Sawbench, near Llanrwst

Welcome

Sawbench is the starting point for two walking trails and two red graded mountain bike trails.

The walking trails take in historical features and views over the Conwy Valley and Llanrwst.

The mountain bike trails are the classic Gwydir Mawr and a shorter, bitesize option called Gwydir Bach.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Lady Mary’s Walk

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 1.3 miles/2.1 kilometres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: The trail is on a mixture of wide forest roads and a path with an unmade uneven surface where you can expect some mud, rocks and tree roots. There is a chicane at the start of the trail, and at the top of the first hill, with a gap of around 60 cm to walk through. You will pass through another chicane, following a rough unmade path to rejoin the forest road where you'll follow the route to the Tudor Bowling Green, with a picnic table and a bench with a final vista down the Conwy valley en route to the car park.

This short historical walk has several viewpoints giving glimpses of the old market town of Llanrwst.

The walk is named after one of two Lady Marys from the Wynn family who bought the land and built up the historic Gwydir Estate.

The walk takes in two sculptures by local artists, one of which is a memorial to the old Llanrwst Town Hall.

Conwy Panorama Walk

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 3.6 miles/5.8 kilometres
• Time: 1½-2½ hours
• Trail information: Most of this trail is on forest roads connected by short sections of rough, narrow paths less than 60cm wide in some places, on unmade and uneven surfaces, where you can expect some mud, rocks and tree roots. There are five benches where you can rest and take in the view.

This walk offers stunning views along the Conwy Valley before climbing over the hill to a viewpoint overlooking the dramatic mountains to the west.

On the route back to the car park you walk past Caerdroia, a community-managed woodland, which you can walk around and read the information panels explaining the work of the group.

You will also pass several sculptures by local artists, telling the stories that link the forest and the town of Llanwrst.

Audio trail

Listen to the story of Lady Mary from the Wynn family who bought the land and built up the Gwydir Estate.

The audio trail has been designed to be used along the Lady Mary’s Walk, a waymarked walking route from Sawbench car park.

We recommend that you download the audio trail to your smartphone before your visit as mobile network coverage can be limited in rural areas.

How to use the audio trail

• Download the audio trail mp3 file from the downloads section at the bottom of this page (please note that the file will start to play when you click on the link and you will then need to click the three dots to download it to your device).
• Follow the waymarkers for the Lady Mary’s Walk from Sawbench car park.
• Look out for the numbered posts along the route which indicate which audio track to play next.

You can also download a PDF file of the audio trail’s script from the downloads section at the bottom of this page.

Mountain bike trails

All our mountain bike trails are waymarked from start to finish and have been graded for difficulty.

At the start of the trail there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.

• Find out about mountain bike trail grades.
• For a list of our mountain bike trails and information to plan your ride, go to mountain biking.
• For more information about mountain biking in Wales, go to the Mountain Bike Wales website.

Gwydir Bach

• Grade: Red/Difficult
• Distance: 9.1 kilometres
• Climb: 350 metres
• Time: 45 minutes-1½ hours

Gwydir Bach is the little sister to its bigger brother, Gwydir Mawr.

Two big climbs earn you arguably the best descents of the whole trail, all wrapped up in one easy to digest, bitesize chunk.

Gwydir Mawr

• Grade: Red/Difficult
• Distance: 24.8 kilometres
• Climb: 800 metres
• Time: 2-4 hours

Gwydir Mawr is one of the original mountain bike trails and is a true classic.

Big climbs, big descents, brilliant singletrack and truly awesome scenery make this a trail to remember.

Now including a brand new two kilometre section with a mix of traditional hand dug trail and modern flow trail features.

You can also start Gwydir Mawr from Hafna car park.​

Gwydir Forest Park

Sawbench is in Gwydir Forest Park.

Gwydir Forest Park lies in the heart of the Eryri National Park and encircles the village of Betws-y-coed.

Lead and zinc mining once dominated the area and the legacy of old engine-houses, waste tips and reservoirs are characteristic features of the forest landscape today.

Several of the most important mines have been partially restored and made safe for visitors.

Waymarked trails start from Betws-y-coed and several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park:

• Betws-y-coed - peaceful forest walks away from the tourist bustle
• Cae'n y Coed - easy-to-find picnic area and walk with panoramic mountain views
• Cyffty Mine - short trail around abandoned lead mine
• Dolwyddelan - walking trail along Roman road and cycle trail with mountain views
• Hafna - walking trail through lead mine ruins and red-graded mountain bike trail
• Llyn Crafnant - walking trails around the lake and accessible riverside trail
• Llyn Geirionydd - picnic site with walking trail around two beautiful lakes
• Llyn Sarnau - picnic spot with a walk to two scenic lakes
• Penmachno - remote mountain bike trails with spectacular views
• Ty’n Llwyn – walking trail to the famous Swallow Falls waterfall

Eryri National Park

Gwydir Forest Park is set in Eryri National Park.

Eryri is the largest National Park in Wales and is home to picturesque towns and villages and the highest mountain in Wales.

It is looked after by the Eryri National Park Authority.

For more information about visiting Eryri go to the Eryri National Park Authority website.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on this place’s location.

Sawbench is 1 mile west of Llanrwst. 

Take the B5106 from Llanrwst towards Betws-y-coed.

After turning left at the brown and white sign for Gwydir Castle, turn immediately right onto a minor road.

Take the first forest road on the left signposted Mainc Llifio/Sawbench.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SH 789 609 (Explorer Map OL 17).

The postcode is LL26 0PN. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.

View this place on the What3Words website.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Llanrwst.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.

Downloads