Cycling
Find out where you can cycle in Wales and what...
Discovery backpacks
Borrow a backpack and discover more of the great outdoors at our visitor centres
Coronavirus update
Some of our visitor facilities remain closed.
Plan ahead - check the web page of the place you’re visiting for the latest local information.
Our sites in areas under local lockdown remain open but you should not travel from outside the area to visit them.
Go to the Welsh Government website to find out more about local lockdowns.
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
