Coed y Brenin Forest Park - Pont Ty'n-y-groes, near Dolgellau

Welcome

The car park and riverside picnic area at Pont Ty'n-y-groes is the starting point for two forest walks.

The King’s Guards Trail is an accessible trail along the river and past the tallest trees in Coed y Brenin Forest Park.

The Penrhos Mountain Trail is a rugged mountain route with the reward of some great views over Eryri (Snowdonia).

There is a level grassy area in the car park where children can play. 

There are also barbeque facilities and the car park has toilets.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

The King’s Guards Trail (blue waymarkers)

• Distance: ½ mile/800 metres
• Grade: accessible 
• Highlights: See the magnificent Douglas firs, the biggest trees in Coed y Brenin, on this walk accessible to all.
• Trail description: The blue waymarked accessible trail is a short loop path which leads to the ‘King’ and then returns to the car park.

It is a well surfaced 2m wide route and is suitable for wheelchairs. There are resting points at least every 100m.

There are no steps or stiles.

You can download an audio trail and listen to the history of Coed y Brenin and an interview with a forester about how the forest was created.

The King’s Champion Trail (yellow waymarkers)

• Highlights: Enjoy this flat family riverside walk to the biggest trees in the forest. You walk to the 'King', the tree with the widest trunk, and the 'King's Champion', the tallest tree, and visit the commemorative stone. 
• Distance: ½ mile/900 metres
• Grade: easy
• Trail description: The route follows the accessible trail to the ‘King’ on a well surfaced 2m wide route, suitable for wheelchairs.

It then goes on to the ‘Champion’ on a slightly steeper gradient and descends back to the car park on a tarmac road with a slope of 20%/1 in 5. This section is suitable for pushchairs.

There are no steps or stiles along the whole trail.

You can download an audio trail and listen to the history of Coed y Brenin and an interview with a forester about how the forest was created.

Penrhos Mountain Trail

• Distance: 3¼ miles/5.2 kilometres
• Grade: strenuous
• Highlights: Like the name suggests, the Penrhos mountain trail gives you a real feel of mountain walking and you will be rewarded at the top with outstanding views of Y Garn, Cader Idris and Rhobell Fawr.
• Trail description: The trail has steep and narrow paths, often less than 50cm wide in places, on an unmade, uneven surface, where you can expect mud, rocks and tree roots.

The trail also has several flights of steps. Once you reach the summit viewpoint there is a bench where you can rest and take in the magnificent views.

Audio trail

Find out about the history of Coed y Brenin and listen to an interview with a forester about how the forest was created.

Our mp3 audio trail has been designed for use on the King’s Guards Trail or the King’s Champion Trail from the Tyn y Groes car park.

There are numbered posts on the walking trail which tell you when to play each section.

As mobile phone network coverage can be limited in rural areas, we recommend that you download the audio trail before your visit.

You can also download a PDF file of the script.

To download the audio trail go to Audio trails and folk tales.

Exploring Coed y Brenin Forest Park 

Coed y Brenin Forest Park offers visitors the total woodland experience within Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

There is a range of waymarked trails to cater for all tastes and fitness levels in the forest park. These include world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, running trails, geocaching and orienteering routes.

As well as the trails that start here at Ty'n y Groes, there are waymarked walking trails from these places in Coed y Brenin Forest Park:

• Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre - the gateway to the forest park and the starting point for a range of walking, running and mountain biking trails.  There is also a café and bike shop
• Pont Cae’n-y-coed – start of the rugged Volcano Trail 
• Tyddyn Gwladys – a picnic site by the rolling Mawddach river and gateway to the Waterfalls and Goldmines walk
• Forest Garden – a choice of routes through trees from all over the world in the forest garden, one of which is suitable for all abilities
• Glasdir – an old copper works in a quiet rural setting with an accessible trail to a viewpoint over the mine workings

Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park

Coed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

Eryri is the largest National Park in Wales and is home to picturesque towns and villages and the highest mountain in Wales.

It is looked after by the Eryri National Park Authority.

For more information about visiting Eryri go to the Eryri National Park Authority website.

National Forest for Wales

Coed y Brenin Forest Park 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.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Accessibility information

The first part of the King’s Guards Trail is on almost flat ground and is suitable for wheelchairs.

Facilities in Pont Ty'n-y-groes car park include:

• parking for Blue Badge holders 
• accessible toilets 

Opening times 

Please check the top of this webpage for any changes to these opening times.

The toilets are open 9am to 5pm, and are locked overnight.

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.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

Pont Ty'n-y-groes car park is 5 miles north of Dolgellau.

Postcode

The postcode is LL40 2NW.

Please note that this postcode may not take you to the car park if you use a sat nav or navigation app.

We suggest you follow the directions below or use the Google map on this page which has a pin on the car park’s location.

Directions

Take the A470 north from Dolgellau.

About 200 metres after passing the Tyn y Groes Hotel, turn right following the brown tourist signs to Ty'n y Groes.

The car park is 300 metres down the hill by the side of the river Mawddach.

What3Words

View this place on the What3Words website.

Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SH 730 233 (Explorer Map OL 18).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway stations are Barmouth (Cambrian Coast line) and Blaenau Ffestiniog (Blaenau Ffestiniog-Llandudno line).

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre

Tel: 01341 440747

Email: coedybrenin@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk