Brechfa Forest – Tower, near Carmarthen

Welcome

The Tower entrance has a small parking area which is the starting point for a walking trail with valley views within Brechfa Forest.

For a closer view of the wind turbines you can connect to a much longer walking trail from here - see the information about the Wind and Water Trail below.

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.

Marlais Valley Walk

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 2¼ miles/3.7 kilometres
• Time: 1½ hours
• Climb: 102 metres/335 feet
• Trail information: This walk starts out on a forest road towards the main area of wind turbines, before bearing east on a disused, quieter forest road that turns into a path by an old farmhouse ruin. You then drop down into the Cwm Marlais valley to follow the Afon Marlais river, steadily climbing back towards the Tower parking area.

Enjoy views of the Marlais Valley on the return leg of this walking trail.

This walking trail was created in partnership with RWE who developed the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm within this part of the forest.

Wind and Water Trail

Get close to the huge turbines of Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm on our Wind and Water Trail.

This circular 12 mile/19.3 kilometre walking route sets off from Keepers car park.

You can also connect to the Wind and Water Trail from Tower car park by following part of the Marlais Valley Walk and a link route but please note that the overall walk will be much longer.

For more details, see the information panel in both car parks.

This walking trail was created in partnership with RWE who developed the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm within this part of the forest.

Brechfa Forest

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.

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

Other car parks in Brechfa Forest

There are walking and mountain bike trails from these other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Brechfa Forest:

• Abergorlech - woodland walks, a mountain bike trail and an arboretum with a difference
• Byrgwm - woodland walk and mountain bike trails for beginners and experienced riders
• Gwarallt - easy short walk through beech woodland
• Keepers - choice of riverside trail or long walk past huge wind turbines

National Forest for Wales

Brechfa 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.

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

For more information about the National Forest for Wales go to the Welsh Government 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

The Tower car park is 14½ miles north east of Carmarthen.

It is in the county of Carmarthenshire.

Ordnance Survey map

The Tower car park is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map 186.

The OS grid reference is SN 495 354.

Directions

Take the A484 from Carmarthen towards Llandeilo and Carmarthen hospital.

At the roundabout just after the hospital take the A485 towards Lampeter.

Follow the A485 for around 10 miles until entering the village of New Inn.

At the cross roads in the village turn right onto the minor road signposted for Brechfa.

After 1¾ miles the parking area is on the right.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Carmarthen.

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

Parking

Car 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.