Coed y Brenin Forest Park - Tyn y Groes, near Dolgellau

Welcome

The car park and riverside picnic area at Tyn y Groes is the starting point for two forest walks.

The King’s Guards Trail is an accessible trail along the river and past the tallest trees in Coed y Brenin Forest Park.

The Penrhos Mountain Trail is a rugged mountain route with the reward of some great views over Snowdonia.

There is a level grassy area in the car park where children can play. 

There are also barbeque facilities and the car park has toilets.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked and start from the car park.  

The King’s Guards Trail (blue waymarkers)

• Distance: ½ mile/800 metres
• Grade: accessible 
• Highlights: See the magnificent Douglas firs, the biggest trees in Coed y Brenin, on this walk accessible to all.
• Trail description: The blue waymarked accessible trail is a short loop path which leads to the ‘King’ and then returns to the car park.

It is a well surfaced 2m wide route and is suitable for wheelchairs. There are resting points at least every 100m.

There are no steps or stiles.

You can download an audio trail and listen to the history of Coed y Brenin and an interview with a forester about how the forest was created.

The King’s Champion Trail (yellow waymarkers)

• Highlights: Enjoy this flat family riverside walk to the biggest trees in the forest. You walk to the 'King', the tree with the widest trunk, and the 'King's Champion', the tallest tree, and visit the commemorative stone. 
• Distance: ½ mile/900 metres
• Grade: easy
• Trail description: The route follows the accessible trail to the ‘King’ on a well surfaced 2m wide route, suitable for wheelchairs.

It then goes on to the ‘Champion’ on a slightly steeper gradient and descends back to the car park on a tarmac road with a slope of 20%/1 in 5. This section is suitable for pushchairs.

There are no steps or stiles along the whole trail.

You can download an audio trail and listen to the history of Coed y Brenin and an interview with a forester about how the forest was created.

Penrhos Mountain Trail

• Distance: 3¼ miles/5.2 kilometres
• Grade: strenuous
• Highlights: Like the name suggests, the Penrhos mountain trail gives you a real feel of mountain walking and you will be rewarded at the top with outstanding views of Y Garn, Cader Idris and Rhobell Fawr.
• Trail description: The trail has steep and narrow paths, often less than 50cm wide in places, on an unmade, uneven surface, where you can expect mud, rocks and tree roots.

The trail also has several flights of steps. Once you reach the summit viewpoint there is a bench where you can rest and take in the magnificent views.

Audio Trail

Find out about the history of Coed y Brenin and listen to an interview with a forester about how the forest was created.

Our mp3 audio trail has been designed for use on the King’s Guards Trail or the King’s Champion Trail from the Tyn y Groes 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.

Accessibility information

The first part of the King’s Guards Trail is on almost flat ground and is suitable for wheelchairs.

Facilities in Tyn y Groes car park include:

• 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 at Ty'n y Groes are open 9am to 5pm, and are locked overnight.

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 Ty'n y Groes, there are waymarked walking trails from these places in Coed y Brenin Forest Park:

• 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
• Pont Cae’n y Coed – start of the rugged Volcano Trail 
• Tyddyn Gwladys – a picnic site by the rolling Mawddach river and gateway to the Waterfalls and Goldmines walk
• Forest Garden – a choice of routes through trees from all over the world in the forest garden, one of which is suitable for all abilities
• Glasdir – an old copper works in a quiet rural setting with an accessible trail to a viewpoint over the mine workings

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

Tyn y Groes 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 730 233.

Directions

From the south: Take the A470 north from Dolgellau. About 200 metres after passing the Tyn y Groes Hotel, turn right following the brown tourist signs to Ty'n y Groes. The car park is 300 metres down the hill by the side of the river Mawddach.

From the north: Take the A470 south towards Dolgellau.  After passing through Ganllwyd village, turn left following the brown tourist signs to Ty'n y Groes. The car park is 300 metres down the hill by the side of the river Mawddach.

Public transport

The nearest train stations are in Barmouth (Cambrian Coast line) and Blaenau Ffestiniog (Blaenau Ffestiniog-Llandudno line).

For details of public transport visit www.traveline.cymru

Parking

Car parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre

Tel: 01341 440747

Email: coedybrenin@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk