The Beech Avenue Stroll is an easy 0.8-kilometre walk that takes about 20 minutes and leads through an impressive beech avenue. At Bod Petryal, the Keeper’s Stroll is also easy; at one kilometre, it is slightly longer and passes an old gamekeeper’s house and a lake.

Short trails with different highlights

At Bod Petryal, the Animal Discovery Trail offers a different focus: clues help children find hidden animals in the forest. The Bod Petryal Trot is 3.3 kilometres long and is also described as an easy trail. It can be used by cyclists, horse riders and walkers. The trails therefore differ not only in length, but also in what they highlight along the way.

The Rhyd y Gaseg Walk is a moderate 1.6-kilometre route that takes about 45 minutes. It crosses a ford and a wooden bridge; steep sections are also among the route’s features. Compared with the roughly 20-minute Beech Avenue Stroll, it offers a different time commitment and different trail conditions.

Ancient woodland and wildlife watching

Coed y Fron Wyllt consists mostly of ancient woodland and has been wooded since at least 1600. A circular trail and a wildlife-watching hide overlooking a wetland combine walking and wildlife watching in this woodland area.

Another circular trail is eight miles long and follows a figure-of-eight route. It goes around Coed y Fron Wyllt and the conifer plantation at the Pincyn Llys monument in Coed Clocaenog. This route therefore focuses on two different woodland areas. The hide overlooking the wetland, by contrast, offers a particular focus on wildlife watching.

Routes and views at Pincyn Llys

The Pincyn Llys monument stands at 414 metres at the highest point in Clocaenog Forest and offers views across the Vale of Clwyd. The Hiraethog Trail also passes through Pincyn Llys, connecting Pentrefoelas, Cerrigydrudion, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfr and Llanrhaeadr.

The 32-mile Brenig Way runs through Clocaenog Forest and offers views of the Clwydian Range at Pincyn Llys. At 32 miles, it is four times as long as the eight-mile figure-of-eight circular trail.

Church and getting there

St Trillo’s Church is on the edge of the small village of Clocaenog. Its foundation may date back to the early Middle Ages. At Coed y Fron Wyllt, a bus stop is 120 metres from the car park entrance. Check the relevant timetables separately for your journey.

A description dated 16 April 2024 mentions the Fflecsi bus from Ruthin to Clocaenog, which must be booked in advance. Before travelling, check whether the service is currently available. This keeps the historical reference to the service separate from current travel planning.

Discover more destinations: Brynsaithmarchog, Ruthin, Llandrillo, Carrog, Prestatyn, Nantglyn, Dyserth, Llandegla

For the main travel overview: Denbighshire.