Beacons View, near Monmouth
Walk through heathland and woodland
Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is a wooded area in a small but deep valley which was shaped by glaciers.
A wet alder woodland covers the valley floor, which you can explore on our accessible boardwalk.
There is also a short but steep walking trail through the mixed woodland which clings to the steep valley sides and is full of fragrant bluebells in spring.
The reserve is in a peaceful part of the Brecon Beacons National Park but the road through it was once a busy railway line, carrying materials to construct the Grwyne Fawr reservoir.
The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.
Look out for the information panel at the start of the trails.
Find out about walking trail grades.
Notice the multi-stemmed alders – evidence of ‘coppicing’ (cutting to near the base and resprouting).
In spring, look out for showy marsh marigolds and the delicate pink ‘umbrellas’ of valerian growing along boardwalk, and smell the fragrant bluebells growing along the path section.
Enjoy the swathe of bluebells along the path in spring.
Coed y Cerrig is a National Nature Reserve.
National Nature Reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features.
The landscape and wildlife varies depending on which time of year you visit – here’s what to look out for.
There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.
Find out more about National Nature Reserves.
Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.
The National Park covers approximately 520 square miles of mountains and moorland in South and Mid Wales.
It is looked after by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.
For more information go to the National Park's visitor website.
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.
Please note:
For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.
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.
The wide and level boardwalk is suitable for wheelchairs.
It starts just over the road from the car park and has passing places and wooden benches.
Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is 4 miles north of Abergavenny.
It is in the county of Monmouthshire.
Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL 13.
The OS grid reference is SO 293 211.
Take the A465 from Abergavenny towards Hereford.
After 4 miles, turn left into the village of Llanfihangel Crucorney.
After ½ mile turn left onto a minor road to Llanthony.
After 1¼ miles take the left fork, following the brown and white nature reserve signs.
The car park is on the right after 1¼ miles.
The nearest mainline railway station is in Abergavenny.
For details of public transport visit Traveline Cymru's website.
The cark park is small and has space for up to three cars.
Car parking is free of charge.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
There are no staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.