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Brechfa Forest – Keepers and Gwarallt car parks, near Carmarthen

Two short walks through the forest

What's here

Dogs welcome
Parking (free)
Walking trail

This site and visitor facilities are open – please see more details on this web page.

Coronavirus update

There are coronavirus local restrictions in some areas of Wales.

Our sites remain open in areas with local restrictions but you should not travel from outside the area to visit them - this site is located in the county of Carmarthernshire.

We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.

You need to wear a mask when going inside one of our buildings.

You can check-in via the NHS app when entering one of our buildings – scan the QR-code on the NHS Covid-19 poster on site.

Welcome

Brechfa Forest is the modern name for part of the ancient Glyn Cothi Forest.

Glyn Cothi Forest was managed for centuries by local people in order to provide building materials, products and grazing.

In 1283, following the final defeat of Wales by Edward I, Glyn Cothi became a Royal Forest administered under Forest Law for several centuries.

Since those days a very different forest has developed. In the 1900s Brechfa Forest was replanted with conifers by the Forestry Commission to boost Britain’s timber reserve after the heavy use of timber in the First World War.

Visiting Brechfa Forest

Today Brechfa Forest covers some 6500 hectares and is looked after by Natural Resources Wales for the benefit of people, wildlife and timber production.

The car parks at Keepers and Gwarallt are the starting point for two short waymarked walking trails.

Abergorlech woodland and Byrgym woodland are also the start the starting point for more walking trails and three mountain biking trails within Brechfa Forest.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked and start from the car parks.

Keepers Walk from Keepers car park

1.5 miles, 2.5 kilometres

This attractive woodland trail is never very far from water and it crosses several bridges.

Gwarallt Walk from Gwarallt car park

0.25 miles, 450 metres

Pobl y Fforest, a local community group, created this short but attractive trail with funding from Forestry Commission Wales.

Accessibility information

The Gwarallt Walk was designed for wheelchairs but involves a gradual climb of 100 feet/30 metres. It is 0.25 miles/450 metres long and starts from Gwarallt car park.

How to get here

Keepers and Gwarallt car parks are accessed from the A40.

Parking is free of charge at these car parks.

Download the location map.

Directions

Take the A40 from Llandeilo towards Carmarthen and at Pont-ar-gothi turn right onto the B4310 towards Brechfa village. In Brechfa turn left by the Post Office and both car parks are on this road, about 600 metres apart.

The OS grid reference for Keepers car park is SN 523 319.

The OS grid reference for Gwarallt car park is SN 520 322.

Public transport

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

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