Coed Moel Famau Forest, near Mold

Welcome

Coed Moel Famau is a large forest situated in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Walking trails to the top of Moel Famau, the highest summit in the Clwydian Range, set off from the car park.

The ruins of the Jubilee Tower are at the summit and there is one of most spectacular views in Wales from here.

The Jubilee Tower, which can be seen for miles around, was built in 1810 for the golden jubilee of King George III.

There are several other circular walks of different lengths from the Coed Moel Famau car park and a blue grade mountain bike trail.

Children’s play areas are dotted around the woodland near to the car park and younger visitors can also follow the Tracker Trail to find out about animals that live in the woodland.

Walking trails

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

Download our Clwydian Range and Dee Valley walking leaflet.

Larches Loop

1½ miles/2.5 kilometres, easy

This easy walk goes through the woodland to a viewpoint.

Moel Fenlli Circular

1¼ miles/2 kilometres, strenuous

This trail goes beyond Coed Moel Famau woodland and climbs steeply to the Iron Age hillfort at the summit of Moel Fenlli.

Jubilee Tower Circular

3¼ miles/5.5 kilometres, moderate

This trail climbs steeply but steadily through the forest to the Jubilee Tower which sits at the top of Moel Famau.

At 554 metres (1,818 feet), Moel Famau is the highest summit in the Clwydian Range and there are views across North Wales and towards North West England from here.

The trail returns through open countryside along the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail.

Multi user trail (for mountain bikers and walkers)

Ffrith Mountain Circular 

7½ miles/12.3km, strenuous (walkers)/grade blue (mountain bikers)

This waymarked trail for walkers and cyclists meanders through the forest, climbing steadily to a high point at the edge of the trees with spectacular views over Merseyside and beyond.

Please follow waymarking and be aware of other people using this trail.

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.

Children’s activities

Play areas

The play areas are dotted around the woodland to encourage children to explore.

They can:

• climb inside the giant Sleepy Cedar
• crawl through the Giant Hawk’s Nest
• swing inside the Bird Cradle
• splash and paddle in the Stones Flow
• tiptoe across the Wobbly Bridge

These features are made from natural materials which blend into the woodland environment.

The play areas are close to the car park and are suitable for children aged 2 to 14 years.

Tracker Trail 

Pick up a leaflet from the car park and follow this short level trail (¾ mile/1.5 kilometres).

Guess which track print belongs to which woodland animal and then try to spot the animal sculptures hidden in the trees.

Numeracy Trail 

The Numeracy Trail has 12 activities for teachers to use with their pupils to develop maths skills in practical situations.

Other walking routes nearby

Moel Famau summit

As well as the Jubilee Tower Circular from Coed Moel Famau car park, you can walk to the summit of Moel Famau from the car park at Bwlch Pen Barras.

The Bwlch Pen Barras car park is just under a mile (1km) from Coed Moel Famau car park.

The car park  is managed by Denbighshire County Council and there is a charge for parking.

Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail

The Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail runs the length of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB.  

This long distance route crosses the summit of Moel Famau - look out for the distinctive acorn waymarker posts.

Find out more from the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail website.

Woodland walks

Natural Resources Wales looks after several woodlands in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB.

Some of these woodlands have car parks and waymarked trails for walkers.

For more information, see Coed Llangwyfan and Coed Nercwys.

Loggerheads Country Park

Loggerheads Country Park is about three miles from the Coed Moel Famau car park.

There is a Discovery Trail and paths around the park and to the hills and valleys beyond.

The visitor centre is an ideal place to find out more about the special landscape of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB.

There is also a café.

• If you would like to walk to the Loggerheads Country Park from Coed Moel Famau, you can follow the Loggerheads Link linear route from the car park (2½ miles/4 kilometres each way). 
• The Loggerheads – Moel Famau Circular is a longer walking trail between Coed Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park. This circular route is 6 miles/10 kilometres long and goes through woods and over open hillside.

Loggerheads Country Park is run by Denbighshire County Council and there is a charge for parking.

For more information go to the Loggerheads Country Park website.

Accessibility information

Facilities at Coed Moel Famau include:

• accessible trail
• disabled parking
• disabled toilets

Opening times

The toilets in Coed Moel Famau car park are open from 8am to 6pm (October to March) and from 8am to 9pm (April to September).

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

How to get here

Download the location map.

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

Directions

From the north: take the A494 from Mold towards Ruthin. After the entrance to Loggerheads Country Park, turn right following the brown and white sign to Moel Famau Country Park. After one mile, the Coed Moel Famau 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 following the brown and white sign to Moel Famau Country Park. After one mile, the Coed Moel Famau car park is on the right.

Ordnance Survey map

Coed Moel Famau is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map 265.

The OS grid reference is SJ 170 610.

Parking 

There is a charge for parking in the Coed Moel Famau car park.

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 Traveline Cymru's website.

Contact details

Tel: 0300 065 3000

Email: enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

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