Cycling
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Discovery backpacks
Borrow a backpack and discover more of the great outdoors at our visitor centres
Coronavirus update
We have re-opened the car parks and trails in most of our woodlands and nature reserves to provide more people with access to the places they love.
Visitor facilities at some woodlands and nature reserves may be limited for now and some places remain closed – see each place’s web page for more information.
Visiting our sites safely
We are working hard to provide a safe and welcoming experience as our sites re-open.
Please take personal responsibility for your safety, making additional preparations ahead of your visit and abiding by the safety measures in place.
Our free-to-use discovery backpacks offer young visitors a helping hand to get up close to nature.
You can borrow a backpack on your visit to:
- Bwlch Nant yr Arian visitor centre, near Aberystwyth
- Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre, near Dolgellau
- Dyfi: Ynyslas National Nature Reserve visitor centre, near Aberystwyth
What's in a backpack?
Each discovery backpack contains useful goodies like binoculars, a magnifying glass, a bug pot and nature identification cards along with a guide explaining how to use them.
The backpacks also include some challenges to help get your nature hunt started.
Try out bark rubbing, have a go a bird spotting, or set off on a search for mini-beasts in the woods.
How do I borrow a backpack?
- There is no charge to borrow a discovery backpack
- A parent or other adult will be asked to fill in a brief registration form and leave a deposit
- Backpacks are issued on arrival and cannot be booked in advance
- Backpacks should be returned to the visitor centre after use
- There is a limited supply of backpacks at each visitor centre and they are issued on a first come, first served basis
