Spirit of Llynfi Woodland, near Maesteg

What's here

Picnic area
Running trail

Welcome

The Spirit of Llynfi Woodland is located on the eastern slopes of the Upper Llynfi Valley, nine miles north of Bridgend.

Recently established on a former industrial site, this community woodland offers local people access to green space on their doorstep and has a range of facilities.

Over 60,000 trees have been planted here including a mixture of broadleaves, fruit and ornamental trees.

The landscape includes ponds, marshland and heathland and there are panoramic views.

Running trails

These waymarked running trails are a fantastic introduction to trail running.

Be prepared for an interesting mixture of forest roads, tarmacked trail, and a short section of single track road, with occasional mud and rocks.

With steep ascents and descents and undulating sections of trail, you will need suitable footwear and clothing and please be aware of other trail users.

The Fair Grove and Iron Track routes both require a reasonable level of fitness.

The Coegnant Challenge is more appropriate for experienced runners with a higher level of fitness.

Fair Grove

Grade: Moderate
Distance: 3 kilometres
Time: 20-35 minutes

This route combines forest track climbs and descents with a smooth undulating all-ability route.

Incorporating a short 150 metre section of single track road at the top end, this route provides a nice introduction to trail running in the Llynfi Valley.

The Iron Track - circular route

Grade: Moderate
Distance: 5 kilometres
Time: 30-45 minutes

This route combines forest track climbs and descents with a smooth undulating route.

Incorporating a short 150 metre section of single track road at the top end, this route provides a nice progression into trail running in the Llynfi Valley.

Coegnant Challenge

Grade: Difficult
Distance: 1 kilometre
Time: 10-15 minutes

This short trail provides the perfect extension to either of the other routes.

With a steep ascent and descent, this concrete section of track provides the ideal opportunity for those runners looking for an extra challenge.

Dog activity trail

Developed with the Kennel Club, the dog activity trail is a great way to keep you and your dog fit and healthy while having fun.

There are five activities to try, from weaving through wooden posts to running through a tunnel, and from jumping over hurdles to balancing along the log walk.

You don’t have to complete all the activities as you can just stroll through and, if you see one you think your dog would like, then try it out just for fun.

Read the information board at the start for tips to look after yourself and your dog before using this trail.

There is also an information board beside each activity explaining what to do.

Sustrans route

The Llynfi Valley Trail is an all ability Sustrans route running through the lower half of the site.

An accessible path links the Sustrans route and the bridleway to allow easier access to the upper parts of the site.

For more information about the Llynfi Valley Trail go to the Sustrans website.

Keeper of the Colliery sculpture

The Spirit of Llynfi Woodland is on the site of the former Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery.

The Keeper of the Colliery is an oak sculpture of a miner which celebrates the lives of the hundreds of miners who once worked throughout the Llynfi valley.

A poem was commissioned for the unveiling ceremony of the sculpture.

The poem is about the area’s industrial past and its rebirth through the Spirit of Llynfi project.

Listen to the Keeper of the Colliery poem in our video.

Poem written by Dan Lock and recited by local historian and former colliery worker, Roy Meredith.

Development of the woodland

Once home to the Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery, the Spirit of Llynfi woodland is now an idyllic setting for wildlife and people.

Natural Resources Wales developed this community woodland in partnership with residents of the Upper Llynfi Valley.

Sponsored by the Welsh Government Nature Fund and the Ford Motor Company Fund, this project supports the Llynfi 20 initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of those living within this vibrant valley.

By incorporating the ideas of local children, young people and residents, we are transforming this former industrial site into a place of beauty and tranquillity for all to enjoy.

Find out more about the community group on the local community-run Spirit of Llynfi Facebook page.

National Forest for Wales

Spirit of Llynfi Woodland 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

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.

How to get here

Location

Spirit of Llynfi Woodland borders the communities of Maesteg, Caerau and Nantyfyllon.

It is in the county of Bridgend.

Ordnance Survey (OS) map

Spirit of Llynfi Woodland is on OS Explorer map 166.

Directions

The woodland can be accessed on foot from these locations around Maesteg:

Cwrt y Mwnws Housing estate (OS grid reference: SS 851 917)
Coegnant Road entrance by Maesteg BMX track (OS grid reference: SS 856 933)
Maesteg Comprehensive School (OS grid reference: SS 858 915)
Coegnant Road footbridge by former Anne’s Enterprises (OS grid reference: SS 853 928)
Footbridge behind former Nantyfyllon Surgery (OS grid reference: SS 851 924)