Crychan Forest – Esgair Fwyog, near Llandovery

Welcome

Esgair Fwyog is one of our car parks in Crychan Forest.

It is the starting point for a walking trail with valley views.

There are picnic benches around the car park.

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.

Esgair Fwyog Trail

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 4 miles/6.4 kilometres
• Time: 3 hours

Take in the long views down the Tywi valley before reaching the secluded stream in Cwm Crychan.

Look out for an almost hidden waterfall before the trail makes the gentle climb back to the car park.

Horse riding in Crychan Forest

There is open access for horse riding throughout Crychan Forest.

Our car parks in Crychan Forest are the starting point for many miles of horse riding on forest roads and old tracks.

There are also shortcuts onto the Epynt Way, a 50 mile long bridleway around the boundary of the Sennybridge military training area.

Facilities for horse riders at our car parks include corrals and tethering rails.

The car parks at Halfway and Brynffo are the most suitable for horse boxes.

There is access for carriage drivers at Brynffo car park.

For more information about horse riding in Crychan Forest, go to the Crychan Forest Association website.

Crychan Forest

Esgair Fwyog car park is within Crychan Forest.

Set in beautiful countryside between the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and the Cambrian Mountains, Crychan Forest is criss-crossed with many old tracks that linked the farms that were once here.

In the 1930s the Forestry Commission bought the farms and land and planted trees here as part of the efforts across the UK to replenish timber stocks which had been run-down during the First World War.

A few ruined dwellings remain and you may come across them as you explore.

The forest is made up of oak, ash, beech, hazel and conifers and the colours vary depending on the season from bluebells in the spring to the golden hues of autumn.

Nowadays it provides valuable timber and is home to a wide variety of wildlife.

Goshawks, buzzards and red kites nest here, and you may catch a glimpse of roe deer.

As well as the walking trail from Esgair Fwyog there are walking trails from our three other car parks in Crychan Forest:

• Brynffo
• Cefn Farm
• Halfway

Halfway car park is the easiest of these to reach as it is situated just off the A40, a few miles from Llandovery.

The car parks at Brynffo, Cefn Farm and Esgair Fwyog are located on minor roads off the A483 between Llandovery and Builth Wells.

National Forest for Wales

Crychan 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.

Please note:

• military training takes place in this forest.
• unexploded flares or blanks may cause serious injury if handled.

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

Esgair Fwyog car park is 6½ miles north east of Llandovery.

It is in the county of Carmarthenshire.

Ordnance Survey map

Esgair Fwyog car park is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map 187.

The OS grid reference is SN 837 412.

Directions

Take the A483 from Llandovery towards Builth Wells.

After 4½ miles turn right at the brown and white sign for Crychan Forest Trails.

Follow the minor road towards Tirabad and after 2 miles the entrance to the Esgair Fwyog car park is on the right.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Llandovery.

For details of public transport visit Traveline Cymru's 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.