Clocaenog Forest - Boncyn Foel Bach, near Ruthin

What's here

Boncyn Foel Bach is one of several car parks in Clocaenog Forest, a huge area of woodland, open moorland and rivers.

This car park is the starting point for a short walk which sets off through an avenue of tall beech trees.

The leaves turn orange in autumn before creating a colourful carpet underfoot - great fun for children to crunch through!

The picnic area is set around the car park and has views south and east over the hills.

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

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

This is a short walk through the woodland with its stunning avenue of beech trees.

The beech avenue is impressive, especially in early spring when the leaves are luminous green.

There is also a viewpoint with a bench – a great place for a flask of coffee or your packed lunch!

Clocaenog is a huge conifer forest which is the size of 10,000 rugby pitches (100km²).

It lies at the southern end of Hiraethog Moor and was first planted in the 1930s by the Forestry Commission.

Although still a working forest, it is now a place for people to enjoy and home for a wide variety of wildlife.

Red squirrels live in Clocaenog Forest but you will be very lucky to see one as they move over large areas and are quite secretive.

Rare black grouse, known for their flamboyant courtship display, known as ‘lekking’, live on the forest edge.

In addition to Boncyn Foel Bach, waymarked trails start from several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Clocaenog Forest:

Bod Petryal - a peaceful lakeside picnic site with a short walk and a cycle trail
Coed y Fron Wyllt - ancient woodland with riverside walk and wildlife viewing hide
Pincyn Llys - short walk uphill to a monument with far-reaching views
Pool Park - easy to find woodland with short walk
Rhyd y Gaseg - short woodland walk to waterfall

Clocaenog Forest forms part of the National Forest for Wales.

The National Forest will:

In time it will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.

For more information about the National Forest for Wales go to the Welsh Government website.

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