Glasfynydd Forest, near Llandovery

What's here

Mountain bike trail
Parking (free)
Picnic area
Walking trail

Welcome

Glasfynydd Forest surrounds Usk Reservoir in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Walkers and cyclists can follow a waymarked trail from the car park around the reservoir and across the dam.

There are far-reaching views from the trail across the reservoir to the Black Mountains.

The reservoir is owned by Welsh Water.

There is a picnic bench in the car park and several others along the trail.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

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

Find out about walking trail grades.

Usk Reservoir Trail

Grade: Easy
Distance: 5½ miles/8.7 kilometres
Climb: 100 metres
Time: 3 hours
Trail information: Most of this route follows a level wide stoned track skirting the reservoir which gets muddy in some places when wet. There is a short climb at the start of the trail and a small stretch on a quiet public road. There is a gate halfway round and several picnic tables along the route. This is a shared route for cyclists and walkers.

Enjoy views of the Black Mountains on this easy-to-follow circular trail around Usk Reservoir.

If you have a map with you and want a longer walk, you can follow public footpaths to the Physicians Well (this route is not waymarked).

Mountain bike trail

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.

Usk Reservoir Loop

Grade: Forest road and similar
Distance: 5½ miles/8.7 kilometres
Time: 45 minutes
Climb: 100 metres
Trail information: Most of this route follows a level wide stoned track skirting the reservoir which gets muddy in some places when wet. There is a short climb at the start of the trail and a small stretch on a quiet public road. There is a gate halfway round and several picnic tables along the route. This is a shared route for cyclists and walkers.

Brecon Beacons National Park

Glasfynydd Forest is set in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The National Park covers approximately 520 square miles of mountains and moorland in South and Mid Wales.

For more information about visiting the Brecon Beacons go to the Brecon Beacons National Park website.

International Dark Sky Reserve

The Brecon Beacons National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve and it has some of the highest quality dark skies in the whole of the UK.

Glasfynydd Forest is 'the heart of darkness' of the National Park's Dark Sky zone with its dramatic backdrop of the Black Mountains.

It is looked after by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.

Find out more about stargazing on the Brecon Beacons National Park website.

Closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.

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 on site and any temporary diversion signs.

How to get here

Location

Glasfynydd Forest is 13 miles south east of Llandovery.

This site straddles the county borders of Powys and Carmarthenshire.

Ordnance Survey (OS) map

Glasfynydd Forest is on OS Explorer OL 12.

The OS grid reference is SN 820 271.

Directions

Take the A40 from Llandovery towards Brecon.

At Trecastle, turn right following the brown and white signs to Usk Reservoir.

After 3¾ miles ignore the brown and white sign at the right hand turn to the reservoir and continue straight ahead for ½ mile.

The car park is on the left.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Llandovery.

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

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight car parking is not permitted.

If this car park is full you can start the route from the Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water car park next to the dam – follow the brown and white signs all the way to Usk Reservoir.