Coed Moel Famau, near Mold

Welcome

Coed Moel Famau offers an ideal family day out.

There is a range of walking trails of different lengths, a blue grade mountain bike trail and children's play areas.

A walking trail to the top of Moel Famau and the ruins of the Jubilee Tower sets off from the car park. The Jubilee Tower was built in 1810 for the golden jubilee of King George III and the ruins can be seen for miles around.

The play areas are dotted around the woodland near to the car park and younger visitors can also follow the Forest Tracker Trail.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.

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

Find out about walking trail grades.

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 from start to finish and have been graded for difficulty.

At the start of the trail there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.

• Find out about mountain bike trail grades.
• For a list of our mountain bike trails and information to plan your ride, go to mountain biking.
• For more information about mountain biking in Wales, go to the Mountain Bike Wales website.

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; Moel Famau is the highest summit in the range.

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).

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

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.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Buy a parking permit

You can buy one parking permit to use at three car parks - Coed Moel Famau, Bwlch Pen Barras and Loggerheads Country Park.

Cost and how long it lasts

The permit costs £30. It's valid until 31 March, regardless of when you buy it. If you buy it on 1 April you will have a full twelve months of parking. If you buy it on 1 March, you will be able to use it for a month until it runs out on 31 March.

When you've completed the form and paid £30, we'll send you a swipe card and up to two disks to display in your car/s.

If you want to renew your permit

You'll need to buy a new permit, but make sure you tell us your swipe card's reference number. We'll reactivate your card without you having to send it back to us. 

Pay for your permit

To pay for your permit:

• call us on 07977 020318 between 9am and 3pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
• send a bank transfer to RBS, account name Natural Resources Body for Wales, account number 10014438, sort code 60 70 80
• send a cheque, made out to Natural Resources Wales, to Moel Famau Parking, Clawdd Newydd, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2NL

​Change your permit details

To tell us about a new car registration number:

• email your new details to moelfamauparking@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
• return the car disk to us at Moel Famau Parking, Clawdd Newydd, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2NL

We'll send you a new disk with the new car registration number.

Return old swipe cards

If you're not renewing your permit, you can return your swipe card to us at Moel Famau Parking, Clawdd Newydd, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2NL

Contact details

0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk