Glasfynydd Forest, near Llandovery

What's here

Mountain bike trail
Parking (free)
Picnic area
Walking trail

Welcome

Glasfynydd Forest surrounds Usk Reservoir in the Bannau Brycheiniog (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.

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

Glasfynydd Forest 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.

National Forest for Wales

Glasfynydd Forest forms part of the National Forest for Wales.

The National Forest will:

create areas of new woodland
enhance existing woodlands
restore Wales’ irreplaceable ancient woodlands

It will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.

Parts of the network will eventually form a trail running the length and breadth of Wales, so anyone can access it wherever they live.

For more information go to the National Forest for Wales 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.

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.