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Coed y Brenin Forest Park - Tyddyn Gwladys, near Dolgellau

What's here

Parking (free)
Picnic area
Walking trail

Welcome

Tyddyn Gwladys is the starting point for a walking trail to the famous waterfalls known as Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Gain.

There is a circular walking trail past the waterfalls and the Gwynfynydd goldmine which closed in 1999.

In the car park, there are picnic tables under large trees beside the rolling Mawddach river.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked and starts from the car park.

Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail

Highlights: The waterfalls alone make this walk worthwhile.
Distance: 2¼ miles, 3.6 kilometres
Grade: moderate
Trail description: Follow the forest road north along the river Mawddach in a steep-sided valley surrounded by big trees, towards the waterfalls. Follow the waymarkers along the east side of the river and cross the timber bridge back to the car park.

The trail is nearly all on forest road with one section of very rough private track before you get to the waterfalls and one steep but short climb 20%/1 in 5 after leaving them.

There are no steps or stiles and the trail is suitable for pushchairs and mobility scooters.

On this trail there are two benches, one picnic table and two gates with passing places 80cm wide.

You can also download an audio trail and listen to the history of the Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works.

Audio trail

Discover the stories of the people who worked at Tyddyn Gwladys Gunpowder Works and learn about the gunpowder works’ history on our mp3 audio trail.

It has been designed for use on the Waterfalls and Goldmines Trail from the Tyddyn Gwladys car park.

There are numbered posts on the walking trail which tell you when to play each section.

As mobile phone network coverage can be limited in rural areas, we recommend that you download the audio trail before your visit.

You can also download a PDF file of the script.

To download the audio trail go to Audio trails and folk tales.

Exploring Coed y Brenin Forest Park

Coed y Brenin Forest Park offers visitors the total woodland experience within Snowdonia National Park.

There is a range of waymarked trails to cater for all tastes and fitness levels in the forest park. These include world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, running trails, geocaching and orienteering routes.

As well as the trails that start here at Tyddyn Gwladys, the main car parks with facilities for visitors within Coed y Brenin Forest Park are:

Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre - the gateway to the forest park and the starting point for a range of walking, running and mountain biking trails. There is also a café and bike shop
Glasdir – a picnic site with walk through an old copper mine and an accessible trail to a viewpoint above the mine workings
Forest Garden – a choice of routes through trees from all over the world in the forest garden, one of which is an accessible trail
Pont Cae’n y Coed – start of the rugged Volcano Trail
Ty'n y Groes – riverside picnic area and gateway to an accessible riverside walk and a rugged mountain trail with great views over Snowdonia

National Forest for Wales

Coed y Brenin Forest Park 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

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

Location

Tyddyn Gwladys car park is just off the A470, near the village of Ganllwyd.

It is in the county of Gwynedd.

The OS grid reference is SH 734 262.

Directions

From the south: Take the A470 north from Dolgellau. After passing through the village of Ganllwyd, turn right just after the school. Follow this minor road over a stone bridge and continue following the road on the right with the river Mawddach below. The Tyddyn Gwladys car park is on the right at the end of the tarmac road after about 1.5 kilometres (you will pass the Pont Cae'n y Coed car park on the way).

From the north: Take the A470 south from Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre. On reaching the village of Ganllwyd turn sharp left immediately after the 40mph speed limit sign. Follow this minor road over a stone bridge and continue following the road on the right with the river Mawddach below. The Tyddyn Gwladys car park is on the right at the end of the tarmac road after about 1.5 kilometres (you will pass the Pont Cae'n y Coed car park on the way).