GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Clocaenog Forest Walks and Mtb

3.11 miles (5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This expansive forest in Denbighshire has miles of walking and cycling trails to try. It covers 100km2 and is located at the southern end of Hiraethog Moor, near Ruthin. There's miles of peaceful woodland trails, heather moorland, pretty streams, waterfalls and lots of wildlife to see. In particular look out for the red squirrels, crossbill, wild horses and the rare black grouse.
This circular walk takes you up to Lord Bagot's monument where there are fine views over the forest and surrounding hills. It's located in the eastern end of the forest near to the village of Clocaenog.
The walk starts from the Pincyn Llys car park just to the south of the viewpoint. The 19th century monument commemorates the planting of a conifer forest, later cut down during the First World War to provide wooden props for the trenches and coal mines. It's a great viewpoint with fine views over the the Vale of Clwyd.
After passing the monument head south west to Cefn Du to turn it into a circular walk.
Although this route is designed for walkers there's miles of great trails for mountain bikers too. See the maps below for details.
At the eastern end of the forest you can pick up the Brenig Way long distance trail and visit the beautiful Llyn Brenig.

Postcode

LL15 2DF - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Clocaenog Forest OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Clocaenog Forest Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Monument on Pincyn Llys - geograph.org.uk - 1587669

Monument on Pincyn Llys. The monument was erected by Lord Bogot from Llanfwrog in 1830, probably on the site of a cairn. There area great views east from here across the Vale of Clwyd, the Arans to the southwest and the Berwyns to the southeast.

Forestry clearing - geograph.org.uk - 218880

Forestry clearing

Clocaenog Forest - geograph.org.uk - 322656

Clocaenog Forest with hills in the background

Clocaenog forest - geograph.org.uk - 322652

Forest road

Bridge over river near the edge of Clocaenog Forest - geograph.org.uk - 4054021

Bridge over river near the edge of Clocaenog Forest

Clocaenog Forest - geograph.org.uk - 115370

The area in the foreground was cleared of trees some years ago and is being repopulated naturally with scrub.

Clocaenog Forest - geograph.org.uk - 161267

View of surrounding countryside from the edge of the woods. If you look very carefully at the gorse, you can just about see the new planting of pines emerging.

Clocaenog lane - geograph.org.uk - 176040

One of the many minor lanes and tracks that run through the Clocaenog forest

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Clocaenog Forest.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Clocaenog Forest.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)