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Clocaenog Forest – Pool Park, near Ruthin

What's here

Parking (free)
Walking trail

Welcome

Pool Park is one of several car parks in Clocaenog Forest, a huge area of woodland, open moorland and rivers.

The small car park is the starting point for a short waymarked walking trail, ideal for breaking a journey to stretch your legs or for a quick stroll with your dog.

There are several public footpaths nearby if you have a map with you and fancy a longer walk.

It is named after the former huge Pool Park Estate, which was owned by the Bagot family.

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.

Pool Park Walk

Grade: Easy
Distance: ¾ mile/1.2 kilometres
Time: 30 minutes

This short trail follows a stream then climbs gently as it winds its way through the woodland.

Look out for the huge Douglas fir trees which thrive here and patches of bluebells in spring.

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 Pool Park, 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
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
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