Beddgelert Forest, near Porthmadog
Peaceful forest in the heart of Snowdonia National...
Riverside picnic area with accessible riverside walk and rugged mountain trail
Coronavirus update
Our sites and most visitor facilities are open but, under the current coronavirus restrictions in Wales, this is intended only for the use of people who live locally.
You are strongly advised – in line with current Welsh Government regulations – not to drive to any of our sites to exercise unless you have specific health or mobility issues.
We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.
The car park and riverside picnic area at Ty'n 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.
Download more information about Ty'n y Groes.
The walking trails are waymarked and start from the car park.
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.
More information: walk card and audio trail
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.
More information: walk card and audio 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.
More information: walk card
The first part of the King’s Guards Trail is on almost flat ground and is suitable for wheelchairs.
Facilities in Ty’n y Groes car park include:
The toilets at Ty'n y Groes are open all the time.
Please note:
Ty’n 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.
Car parking is free of charge.
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.
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
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
Tel: 01341 440747