Dyfnant Forest (Pont Llogel), near Dolgellau

Easy riverside stroll through woodland

What's here

Parking (free)
Picnic area
Walking trail

Coronavirus update

Our sites and most visitor facilities are open.

We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.

Welcome

Pont Llogel is a small woodland within Dyfnant Forest.

This car park and picnic area is set beside an old stone bridge at the edge of a hamlet.

There is a short walk through the woodland along the river Vyrnwy.

Two longer walks leave from this car park and the Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail goes through here, too.

This tranquil area has been designated a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) because of its wide range of plants. We removed a lot of coniferous trees (trees with cones) to allow light to reach the woodland floor and encourage native plants and trees (like oak and hazel) to grow.

There is a portaloo toilet in the public car park next to the village shop.

Walking trail

The trail is waymarked and starts from the car park.

Pont Llogel Walk

Grade: Easy
Distance: 1 mile/1.5 kilometres (there and back). Return the same way or use the higher-level path with steep sections and flights of steps.
Time: 1 hour

The Pont Llogel Trail is a sheltered walk through mixed woodland alongside the river Vyrnwy.

The wide and level path follows the riverbank to a wooden bench where you can enjoy the sound of the water and birdsong.

From here, you can either return the same way or follow the higher level path through oak trees if you don't mind steep sections and steps.

There are views through the trees to the hills before the path drops down to the riverside and follows the main trail back to the car park.

Woman on bench by river

Other walking routes

We recommend that you take an Ordnance Survey map or walk guide book to follow these routes.

You can buy a trail booklet for these walks from the shop in Pont Llogel.

Ann Griffiths Walk

This walk commemorates a famous 18th century hymn writer.

It starts from the Pont Llogel car park and finishes at the Hen Gapel John Hughes in Pontrobert.

The route follows the river Vrynwy, taking in a variety of landscapes and visiting many of the places associated with Ann Griffiths’s life.

It is 7 miles/11 kilometres each way and is managed by Powys County Council.

Pererindod Melangell Walk

This walk traces a route between the Vyrnwy and Tanat Valleys, trodden in centuries past by pilgrims, quarrymen and drovers.

It starts just over the road from the Pont Llogel car park and finishes at Llangynog.

It is a challenging walk with long climbs linking the valley floors with huge tracts of open moorland.

It is 15 miles/24 kilometres each way and is managed by Powys County Council.

Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail

The Glyndŵr’s Way National Trail passes through Pont Llogel Wood.

See the Glyndŵr’s Way website for more information.

Signpost at Pont Llogel

Closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff
Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place

How to get here

Location

Pont Llogel is 22 miles from Dolgellau.

It is in the county of Powys.

Car parking is free of charge.

Directions

Take the A470 from Dolgellau towards Machynlleth and turn on to the A458 towards Welshpool. At Llangadfan turn left on to the B4395 signposted for Lake Vyrnwy. Go past the entrances for the Penyfordd and Hendre car parks and continue to the hamlet of Pont Llogel. The entrance to the Pont Llogel car park is on the right immediately after the stone bridge.