Coed Moel Famau Forest, near Mold

Overview

Moel Famau Country Park is at the heart of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Rising to a height of 554 metres (1818 feet), Moel Famau is the highest peak on the Clwydian Range summit chain.

At the top lie the ruins of the Jubilee Tower, an iconic monument visible from all directions, with a wonderful outlook across North Wales and North West England.

You can walk through the forest from the Coed Moel Famau car park to the summit of Moel Famau.

You can also walk to the summit of Moel Famau from the car park at Bwlch Pen Barras.

There are several other circular walks of different lengths from the Coed Moel Famau car park and a mountain bike trail which is graded blue (moderate difficulty).

For younger visitors, there is the Forest Tracker Trail and the popular Hawk's Nest play area.

Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Coed Moel Famau is in the Clwydian Range is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) near Mold.

An AONB is an area of countryside in England, Wales or Northern Ireland which has been designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value.

The primary purpose of the AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, now and for future generations.

The Clwydian Range is one of only eight AONBs in Wales.

Woodlands and forests in the Clwydian Range

Natural Resources Wales looks after a number of woodlands and forests in the Clwydian Range AONB.

The forests and woodlands below are the starting points for waymarked trails for walkers and bridleways for horse riders and cyclists to explore the magnificent scenery:

• Coed Moel Famau – the starting point for trails through the forest to the summit of Moel Famau, the highest peak in the chain of hills that make up the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (see below)
• Bwlch Pen Barras – fabulous views of the Vale of Clwyd from the car park which is the starting point for four walks, including one to the summit of Moel Famau
• Coed Llangwyfan Forest – walks with great views to hillforts as well as a bridleway popular with horse riders and cyclists
• Coed Nercwys Forest - a good road network allows access on foot, horseback or bicycle throughout this  coniferous woodland

There are also two walks on land managed by Natural Resources Wales which start from Loggerheads Country Park. Loggerheads Country Park is run by Denbighshire Countryside Service and is an ideal place to find out more about the Clwydian Range AONB.

Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail runs the length of the Clwydian Range AONB.

Walking trails

All of the walking trails are waymarked and start from Coed Moel Famau car park.

Larches Loop

1½ miles, 2.5 kilometres

The Larches Loop is a walk through some wonderful trees to a viewpoint.

Jubilee Tower Circular

3½ miles, 5.5 kilometres

The Jubilee Tower Circular climbs steeply but steadily to the Jubilee Tower at the top of Moel Famau and returns through mixed forest or open countryside. Moel Famau is the highest summit in the Clwydian Range (554 metres/1818 feet) and offers one of most spectacular views in Wales.

You can also walk to the summit of Moel Famau from the car park at Bwlch Pen Barras.

Walking trails leaflet

Download the walking trails leaflet for more information.

Mountain biking trail

The mountain biking trail is waymarked and starts from the Coed Moel Famau car park.

See our mountain biking page for a list of all our mountain bike trails and information about grading to make sure you pick a trail that is right for you.

Please also read the relevant onsite information before setting off on your ride.

Visit the Ride North Wales website for more information about mountain biking in North Wales. 

Ffridd Mountain Circular

12.2 kilometres, grade blue

The Ffridd Mountain Circular meanders its way through Coed Moel Famau, climbing steadily to a high point at the edge of the trees with spectacular views over Merseyside and beyond. The terrific descent is followed by more bridleway and a stream crossing before climbing the forest road back to the car park. Watch out for walkers, this section is a shared use Public Bridleway. This route is also the start and finish for several longer rides in the Clwydian hills.

Other activities

As well as the walking trails above a trail through an arboretum which contains all of the UK's native tree species.

There is a numeracy trail for teachers to use with their pupils and an outdoor classroom area at the back of the arboretum.

Forest Tracker Trail

Half a mile, 0.8 kilometres

The Forest Tracker Trail challenges children to guess which track print belongs to which animal. They need to first search for the brass plaque and then use a crayon to reveal the track print on their map, before looking for the animal sculpture in the woods. Free crayons and map available from Loggerheads Visitor Centre and the catering van in Coed Moel Famau car park (when in operation).

Play area

The popular Hawk's Nest play area encourages children to learn and explore the woodland environment. 

It is suitable for children aged 2 to 14 years and includes:

• a giant Sleepy Cedar to climb inside
• a Giant Hawk’s Nest to climb and crawl through
• a Bird Cradle to swing inside
• Stones Flow to splash and paddle in

Accessibility information

Facilities include:

• accessible trail
• disabled parking
• disabled toilets

Opening times

The toilets are open from 8am to 6pm (October to March) and from 8am to 9pm (April to September).

How to get here

Download the location map.

Coed Moel Famau is three miles south west of Mold, signposted off the A494.

There is a charge for parking.

Directions

From the north: take the A494 from Mold through the towns of Gwernymynydd and Loggerheads, until the junction with 'Moel Famau Country Park' signposted to the right. Follow this road for one mile, and the car park is on the right.

From the south: take the A494 from Ruthin towards Mold. After passing through the village of Llanferres turn left at the junction with 'Moel Famau Country Park' signposted. Follow this road for one mile, and the car park is on the right.

The OS grid reference is SJ 161 627.

Parking permit

You can buy an annual parking permit for use at these three car parks:

• Coed Moel Famau
• Bwlch Pen Barras
• Loggerheads Country Park

The permit costs £30 per year and is valid until the end of March each year.

To apply for a permit, please download and complete the form.  Then send it to the address on the form, together with a cheque made payable to Natural Resources Wales. 

You will then receive a swipe card to open the barrier at Coed Moel Famau car park and a pass to display in your car in the car parks at Bwlch Pen Barras and Loggerheads Country Park.

If you have any queries, please contact 0300 065 3000 (during office hours) or email geraint.jones@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Public transport

The nearest train station is in Buckley.

For details of public transport visit www.traveline.cymru

Closures and diversions

Please note:

• 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

Find out more 

• Download our PlacesToGo app to plan your visit
• Find out what’s on 
• Find out how to respect, protect and enjoy the countryside 
• Help prevent the spread of tree disease 
• Organise an event or activity in a woodland managed by Natural Resources Wales 
• See the list of current exclusions and restrictions to open access land

Contact details

Tel: 0300 065 3000

Email: enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk