Afan Forest Park – Visitor Centre, near Port Talbot
Main starting point for mountain bike and walking...
The recent strong winds took a significant toll on our sites.
We’re continuing to assess the damage, but this will take some time.
We may close the car park and other facilities at short notice whilst we undertake recovery operations.
You should always follow any instructions given by signs or local staff including any trail diversions or closures, and beware of the danger of falling trees or branches.
Explore a rich tapestry of habitats from ancient woodland to flower-rich grassland on our walking trail through Carmel National Nature Reserve.
Limestone has been extracted from this valley since the Middle Ages and the far-reaching views from the top of the disused quarry are well worth the steep climb at the start of the route.
The reserve is home to a rare seasonal lake fed solely by groundwater (known as a turlough), filling up in winter and emptying during most summers.
There is a small picnic area with two picnic tables next to the car park.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales looks after the western sections of the reserve next to Carmel village.
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.
This circular walk climbs to the top of a former quarry where you can take in the far-reaching views.
It goes through the deciduous woodland, which is full of bluebells in spring, and returns alongside the turlough (a seasonal lake).
Carmel 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.
Enjoy carpets of bluebells, dog’s mercury, ramsons and wood anemone in the woods.
Go orchid hunting next to the path into the quarry.
Hundreds of toads make their way to the lake to spawn in spring (risking their lives crossing the road at night!).
Look out for rare plants like lily-of-the-valley, herb paris and toothwort in the woods.
Enjoy limestone grassland flowers such as bird’s foot trefoil, marjoram, aquilegia and harebell.
Try to spot woodland birds like treecreepers, great spotted woodpeckers and redstarts.
Forage for fungi in the woods and brightly coloured wax caps in the grasslands.
Take in the autumn colour and kick some leaves.
There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.
Find out more about National Nature Reserves.
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.
You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.
Check if you are allowed to use our land.
Carmel National Nature Reserve is 5 miles south west of Llandeilo.
The postcode is SA18 3JP.
Please note that this postcode may not take you to the car park if you use a sat nav or navigation app.
We suggest you follow the directions below or use the Google map on this page which has a pin on the car park’s location.
Take the A476 from Llandeilo towards Llanelli.
Go through Carmel village and, after ⅓ mile, at a staggered crossroads turn left, signposted to Llandybie.
Follow this road for one mile and the reserve car park is on the left just before a junction.
View this place on the What3Words website.
The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SN 605 164 (Explorer Map 178).
The nearest mainline railway station is in Llandybie.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
The small car park has room for four cars.
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.