Crychan Forest and Halfway Forest

 

Crychan Forest Trails for walkers, cyclist, horse riders and carriage drivers.

The Crychan Forest Association works with the Natural Resources Wales (formally Forestry Commission) to promote access to Crychan and Halfway Forests near Llandovery Carmarthenshire. South West Wales near the Brecon Beacons.

We have installed nearly 200 numbered waymarker posts and published walking trails, family forestry cycle trails and horse riding trails. These individual trails with map are available to download from this website. 

Message from NRW following Storm Darragh

Forest Update: Carmarthenshire – 12th March 2025

 In south west Wales, we’re facing an enormous challenge in recovering from Storm Darragh, one of the most destructive weather events in decades.

Our windblow surveys, which examine the numbers of trees that have been uprooted and blown over, have identified that the scale of the impact is vast, with up to 900 hectares of windblow on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate (WGWE) with Carmarthenshire and other areas of south west Wales impacted the worst.

Recovery will be a long-term effort that could take up to three years.

Despite the difficulties, we are making steady progress, prioritising safety, reopening access points, and supporting local farmers.

We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we navigate this complex recovery process.

 

Impact of Storm Darragh

Storm Darragh was a once in a 20-to-30-year event, causing significant damage across   Carmarthenshire with surveys to date recording up to 340 hectares of windblow – that works out at the size of roughly 480 football pitches.

Wind damage results from a combination of storm gusts, soil conditions, tree species, topography, and wind direction. Most of the damage this time was caused by north-easterly winds, which were unusual for the region.

  • The Brechfa  and Caio areas were hit hard, with ongoing assessments to confirm the full scale of damage.
  • Boundary fences have been impacted, and inspections are ongoing. Many fence repairs cannot begin until large scale tree removal has taken place
  • Public access remains severely affected, with many Public Rights of Ways (footpaths, bridleways, Byways Open to All Traffic) inaccessible.  Surveys are ongoing to understand the scale of the impact and clearance work required.
  • Many of NRW’s promoted walking trails are inaccessible and closed for safety reasons.
  • We urge visitors to check our website for up-to-date information and follow on-site signage.

 

Priorities and ongoing work

  • Supporting farmers: inspections and repairs to damaged boundary fences are a priority to ensure the welfare of farm stock, which currently cannot be securely grazed.
  • Access and safety inspections: our teams are assessing trails, forest roads, and recreational areas to determine what can be reopened safely.
  • Contract management: our teams are managing the tree clearance work with contractors to ensure we can reopen certain recreational sites, but with restrictions and diversions.
  • Recreational access: clearing car parks and forest roads has been our priority, and clearance work is now progressing into clearance of walking, cycling and Public Rights of Ways.

Crychan Forest Car Parks (Brynffo, Cefn farm and Esgair Fwyog) are open providing access along forest roads for walking, cycling, horse riding and carriage driving. All walking trails remain inaccessible. 

Halfway Forest is open, providing access for walking, cycling and horse riding along our forest roads. The Halfway Woodland Walking Trails (Nant y Dresglen and Melyn y Glyn Walking Trail) are open

 

New Walking Trails

Walks from the four car parks at Halfway, Cefn Farm, Esgair Fwyog and Brynffo are easy to follow, by looking out for the wooden waymarker posts with symbols depicting a coloured footprint and direction arrow.

Halfway Walks

2 short walks in Halfway Forest.

2 gentle trails never far from the waters of the Nant y Dresglen.

Read More – GPX file – Map

Cefn Farm Walk

A moderate 2.5 mile walk in Crychan Forest from the Cefn Farm car park.

You’ll pass the ruins of the old 19th century farmhouse Glyn Moch before dropping down to the stream in Cwm Dulas. Try to imagine pigs rooting about here – as Glyn Moch means ‘valley of pigs’. Easy tracks return you to the start at Cefn Farm.

Read More – GPX file – Map

Esgair Fwyog Walk

A moderate 4.5 mile walk in Crychan Forest from the Esgair Fwyog car park.

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 where you started at Esgair Fwyog.

Read More – GPX file – Map

Brynffo Walk

A moderate 3.5 mile walk in Crychan Forest from the Brynffo car park.

Enjoy long views of the Cambrian Mountains to the north, before dropping into the sheltered valley of Cwm Crychan. You will follow the trail beside the stream, before climbing up through the trees, back to the start at Brynffo.

Read More – GPX file – Map

News

Cwm y Glyn trail

Cwm Y Glyn (Halfway Horse Trail extension 12) Forestry Workings

Forestry work on the Cwm Y Glyn trail between 164 and 168 is now complete but the track has not been reinstated. So it is advisable to avoided this section ...Read full article.

Felling in Crychan South

There is currently contractors felling in Crychan South. Please obey all signs. There will we short term track closures as the contractors move from ...Read full article.

Cwm y Glyn Horse Trail in Halfway closed

Cwm y Glyn Horse Trail in Halfway closed – Now Open

UPDATE The Cwm y Glyn Horse Trail in Halfway is now all open. Work at Halfway has finished, though they may be back later in the year to finish off.  ...Read full article.

Felling Operations in Crychan and Halfway

A felling operation to remove trees with Ash dieback has begun at Crychan Forest. Ash dieback is a serious disease caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus ...Read full article.

New Crychan Forest Trails Map

Check out the new Crychan and Halfway interactive map. On the Tracks and Maps page. By selecting a trail name from the Trail Menu you can overlay each ...Read full article.