Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve, near Abergavenny

Small woodland with accessible boardwalk

What's here

Accessible trail
Parking (free)
Walking trail

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 y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is in the southern part of the Black Mountains within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Lying in a small deep valley shaped by glaciers, this small wooded area is hidden away but the road through the reserve was once a busy railway line, carrying materials to construct the Grwyne Fawr reservoir.

A wet alder woodland covers the valley floor – these trees used to be coppiced to make charcoal and soles for clogs.

A mixed woodland, full of fragrant bluebells in spring, clings to the steep valley sides and an oak and beech woodland grows in the deeper soils at the top of the reserve.

There is an accessible boardwalk over the wet valley bottom and a short but steep circular climb through the woodland.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.

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

Find out about walking trail grades.

Alder Tree Boardwalk

Grade: Accessible
Distance: ½ mile/0.6 kilometres
Time: 30 minutes
Trail information: The trail starts over the road from the car park - please take care crossing the road. The wide and level boardwalk, with passing places, enables you to enjoy the wet valley bottom. You can do a circular walk by including the non-boardwalk section shown on the map. There are wooden benches along the route. There is soft mud - do not wander off the boardwalk or path.

Notice the multi-stemmed alders – evidence of ‘coppicing’ (cutting to near the base and resprouting).

In spring, look out for showy marsh marigolds and the delicate pink ‘umbrellas’ of valerian growing along boardwalk, and smell the fragrant bluebells growing along the path section.

Boardwalk

Woodland Climb

Grade: Strenuous
Distance: ¼ mile/0.5 kilometres
Time: 30 minutes
Trail information: This short circular route climbs steeply up a series of rough stone steps, continuing through the woodland and dropping off down a slope to the car park. You can also join the public footpath which continues upwards out of the reserve.

Enjoy the swathe of bluebells along the path in spring.

What to see at the National Nature Reserve

The landscape and wildlife varies at Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve depending on which time of year you visit – here’s what to look out for.

Spring

Spot the striking pink pyramidal flowers of early purple orchids
Enjoy the swathe of bluebells along the path
Look for the colourless and strange toothwort

Summer

Listen for the trilling of a wood warbler (like a spinning coin)
Watch for the black and white flash of a pied-flycatcher
Be alert for the colourful black, orange and grey bandit-like colouring of the male redstart
Watch for hovering damselflies and dragonflies

Other wildlife to look out for

Catch a glimpse of a speckled wood butterfly flitting through shards of sunlight
Keep an eye out for the elegant nettle-leaved bell flower
Search for fungi like chanterelles as summer moves towards autumn, especially in damp weather
Seek out the weird and wonderful bird’s nest orchid in early summer

National Nature Reserves in Wales

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

National Nature Reserves are areas of the countryside where special examples of Britain’s habitats and wildlife are protected.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves.

Brecon Beacons National Park

Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The National Park covers approximately 520 square miles of mountains and moorland in South and Mid Wales.

It is looked after by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.

For more information about visiting the Brecon Beacons go to the Brecon Beacons National Park website.

Accessibility information

The wide and level boardwalk is suitable for wheelchairs.

It starts just over the road from the car park and has passing places and wooden benches.

Closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.
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 on site and any temporary diversion signs.