Dyfnant Forest

Forest

Explorer Tom

Dyfnant Forest climbs the uplands south of Lake Vyrnwy, with conifer blocks, pockets of native trees and long tracks used by riders and carriage drivers. It is a working woodland with plenty of room to explore, provided you choose the right way in. Tom says he came to count the trees; a horse overtook him before he reached ten. Natural Resources Wales manages this forest and describes several access points. Hendre is the starting place for carriage routes, while Pen y Ffordd serves horse riders and Pont Llogel Wood offers an easier riverside stroll. The Rainbow Trails were developed with local riders and drivers, with waymarked choices from a short outing to longer full-day routes. The forest is also grown for timber, so the trees are part of a living trade rather than scenery frozen for visitors. Native deciduous pockets break up the conifer stands and give the woodland a more varied texture. Choose a signed route suited to how you travel and listen for the change from close tree shade to open upland views. A quieter walk near Pont Llogel is a different visit from a long ride out of Hendre. Tom says he offered a carriage horse driving lessons; it knew the track better and declined. Keep clear of animals at work, share the tracks courteously and stay out of timber operations. The forest has public visitor points, but trail use and starting places vary, so consult the operator's current maps before setting out. Temporary work or rough weather may close a track. Do not assume a carriage route is a marked foot walk. Dyfnant is best enjoyed by picking the right entrance and letting the forest show its changes.