Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve, near Abergavenny

Welcome

Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is a wooded area in a small but deep valley which was shaped by glaciers.

A wet alder woodland covers the valley floor, which you can explore on our accessible boardwalk.

There is also a short but steep walking trail through the mixed woodland which clings to the steep valley sides and is full of fragrant bluebells in spring.

The reserve is in a peaceful part of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park but the road through it was once a busy railway line, carrying materials to construct the Grwyne Fawr reservoir.

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: 0.4 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.

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 on the National Nature Reserve

Coed y Cerrig is a National Nature Reserve.

National Nature Reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features.

The landscape and wildlife varies 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
• 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.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves.

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is in the Bannau Brycheiniog 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 Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.

For more information go to the National Park's visitor website.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

Please note:

• There are steep slopes and it can be slippery under foot in wet conditions.
• Soft mud - do not wander off the boardwalk or path.
• Take care when crossing the road to reach the boardwalk.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

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.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on this place’s location.

Coed y Cerrig National Nature Reserve is 4 miles north of Abergavenny.

Take the A465 from Abergavenny towards Hereford.

After 4 miles, turn left into the village of Llanfihangel Crucorney.

After ½ mile turn left onto a minor road to Llanthony.

After 1¼ miles take the left fork, following the brown and white nature reserve signs.

The car park is on the right after 1¼ miles.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SO 293 211 (Explorer Map OL 13).

The postcode is NP7 7NA. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.

View this place on the What3Words website.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Abergavenny.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

The cark park is small and has space for up to three cars.

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.