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Clocaenog Forest - Coed y Fron Wyllt, near Ruthin

What's here

Wildlife hide
Parking (free)
Walking trail

Welcome

Located at the eastern end of Clocaenog Forest, Coed y Fron Wyllt is a long, narrow woodland on a steep slope (its name means ‘the wood of the wild hillside’).

It's mainly ancient woodland which means it has been wooded since at least 1600.

Nowadays it is home to a circular walk and a wildlife viewing hide overlooking a wetland.

In spring the path through the woodland is edged with bluebells and primroses and the fragrance of wild garlic fills the air.

There is a picnic bench halfway around the walk.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

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

Find out about walking trail grades.

Millstream Walk

Grade: Easy
Distance: 1½ miles/2.5 kilometres
Time: 1 hour

You are never very far from the Nant Melindwr stream on this walk through mainly deciduous woodlands.

Enjoy a display of woodland flowers on either side of the path on the outward section of the walk in spring.

The path goes past a picnic bench before it crosses the river over a wooden footbridge.

It returns on a forest road with glimpses of the surrounding hills through the trees.

Clocaenog Forest

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 Coed y Fron Wyllt, 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
Boncyn Foel Bach - scenic viewpoint with a picnic area and short woodland stroll
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

National Forest for Wales

Clocaenog Forest 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.

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.

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