Alwen Reservoir, near Denbigh
Walk or cycle around this huge upland reservoir
Coed Moel Famau, near Mold
Family day out with walking trails, mountain biking and play areas
What's here
An operation to remove diseased larch trees here is ongoing.
Some trails may be temporarily closed or diverted.
Please follow any instructions on site and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs.
Coronavirus update
Our sites and most visitor facilities are open.
We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.
Welcome
Coed Moel Famau is a large forest situated in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A walking trail to the top of Moel Famau, the highest summit in the Clwydian Range, sets off from the car park.
The ruins of the Jubilee Tower are at the summit of Moel Famau 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 Forest Tracker Trail.
Walking trails
All of the walking trails are waymarked and start from Coed Moel Famau car park.
Accessible Trail
- Grade: Accessible
- Distance: ¼ mile/0.4 kilometres
- Time: 20 minutes
This short trail goes through the woodland and alongside a stream.
Forest Tracker Trail
- Grade: Easy
- Distance: 1¼ miles/1.8 kilometres
- Time: 1½ hours
Pick up a leaflet from the car park and follow this short level trail to find out about animals that live in the woodland.
Guess which track print belongs to which woodland animal and then try to spot the animal sculptures hidden in the trees.
Larches Loop
- Grade: Easy
- Distance: 1½ miles/2.4 kilometres
- Time: 1 hour
This easy walk goes through the woodland to a viewpoint.
Jubilee Tower Circular
- Grade: Moderate
- Distance: 3½ miles/5.8 kilometres
- Time: 2½ hours
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.
Ffrith Mountain Circular
- Grade: Strenuous
- Distance: 7½ miles/12.3 kilometres
- Time: 5 hours
- Trail information: This route may also be used by mountain bikers.
This waymarked trail meanders through the forest, climbing steadily to a high point at the edge of the trees with spectacular views over Merseyside and beyond.
Mountain bike trail
All our mountain bike trails are waymarked and have been graded for difficulty.
At the start of the trail there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.
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Go to mountain bike trail grades to find out what the grades mean.
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Go to mountain biking to find another trail or read the Forest Cycle Code
Ffrith Mountain Circular
- Grade: Blue/Moderate
- Distance: 12.3 kilometres
- Climb: 120 metres
- Time: 2-3½ hours
- Trail information: Part of this trail follows a public bridleway - please be aware of other people using this route.
This ride meanders its way through the forest of Moel Famau, climbing steadily to a high point at the edge of the trees with spectacular views over Merseyside and beyond.
A terrific descent is followed by more bridleway and a fun stream crossing (don't get your feet wet!) before re-entering the forest.
A grind up the forest road climb leads to a fast finish back to the car park.
Children’s 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.
Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail
The Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail crosses the summit of Moel Famau - look out for the distinctive acorn waymarker posts.
Find out more about National Trails in Wales.
Loggerheads Country Park
Find out more about the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB at the visitor centre in Loggerheads Country Park.
There are paths around the country park and to the hills and valleys beyond and there is also a café.
You can walk from Coed Moel Famau car park to Loggerheads Country Park on the Loggerheads Link (2¾ miles/4.3 kilometres each way). This route is not waymarked and you are advised to take a map.
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.
Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Coed Moel Famau is situated in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The Clwydian Range is a chain of purple heather-clad summits topped by hillforts. The Dee Valley lies beyond these windswept hills and is home to the historic towns of Llangollen and Corwen.
For more information about visiting the AONB go to the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley website.
Accessibility information
Facilities at Coed Moel Famau include:
- accessible trail
- parking for blue badge holders
- accessible toilets
Opening times
Please check the top of this page for any changes to these 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).
How to get here
Location
Coed Moel Famau is 5 miles south west of Mold.
This site straddles the county borders of Denbighshire and Flintshire.
© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey 100019741
Ordnance Survey (OS) map
Coed Moel Famau is on OS Explorer 265.
The OS grid reference is SJ 170 610.
Directions
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.
Public transport
The nearest train station is in Buckley.
For details of public transport visit Traveline Cymru's website.
Parking
The parking charge in the Coed Moel Famau car park is £2 per day.
You need to pay this charge with the correct cash at the barrier on arrival.
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 parking 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 parciomoelfamau@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Closures and diversions
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Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
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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
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Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place
Contact details
0300 065 3000
Related document downloads
Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Forest Trails leaflet (print only)
PDF [7.3 MB]
Coed Moel Famau parking permit form
PDF [194.6 KB]
