North Wales’ Best Autumn Forest Walks

Visitors flock to North Wales for it’s amazing landscapes from the towering mountains of Eryri to the coastline of Pembrokeshire, but Wales is also home to some of the UK’s most ancient and beautiful woodlands. The Autumn, with it’s colourful display and atmospheric misty mornings, is the best time to explore these ancient woodlands, and with the hot summer we’ve been experiencing, this Autumn could be one of the most vibrant in recent years. Here’s a selection of our favourite woodland walks in North Wales. 

Coed Felinrhyd & Llennyrch

Situated in the Vale of Ffestiniog, and bordered by the mountains of Eryri National Park, this rare, Atlantic Oak woodland is one of the largest in Wales. This woodland is classed as a temperate rainforest. True temperate rainforests cover less than 1% of the planet, making them rarer than tropical rainforests. They provide a rich ecosystem for mosses, lichens and liverworts and are often characterised by their characterful trees and wet climate. Here in Wales, we’re fortunate enough to have some of the best, and aside from Scotland, the only examples of temperate rainforests in the UK, and Coed Felinrhyd is one of the most spectacular. 

This woodland is easily accessible with layby parking available on A496 near Maentwrog, less than 200m from the beginning of the trail. The woodland itself is managed by the Woodland Trust so there are a number of marked trails and information boards to help you navigate this amazing forest. These are also clearly marked on OS Maps so if you have it downloaded on your phone, you can’t go wrong. Along the way you’ll find raging rivers, dramatic waterfalls and, at this time of year, some fascinating fungi, mosses, and ferns, many of which can only be found in these rare rainforests. 

Be aware that the routes in this area can be strenuous and steep, and are not suitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs. 

This Nature Reserve is within easy driving distance of many popular North Wales hubs such as Blaenau Ffestiniog, Harlech, Porthmadog, and is less than an hour from Betws Y Coed. 

Find out more here.

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Llyn Parc via Gwydir Forest Park

If you’re staying in North Wales and exploring Eryri National Park, you’re likely never too far away from the bustling town of Betws Y Coed. Known for its cafes, pubs/restaurants, and collection of Outdoor Clothing shops, it’s also a gateway to many of the scenic areas of the national park. Many tourists pass through, but there’s a beautiful walk up to a hidden lake that takes you through the Gwydir Forest and the walk starts right in the heart of the town.

Llyn Parc is a secluded lake situated in the hills above Betws Y Coed – It’s so peaceful you’d never know that there’s a town right below you. The walk itself is a steady climb that takes you up through the Gwydir forest, which definitely looks its best during the autumn. This walk can be done as a circular and is clearly signposted from the carpark with helpful way markers along the entire route. What we love about this walk is the variety of different landscapes you’ll see along the way, from valley views, to old woodlands, and even evidence of the industrial history of this area of the National Park. 

Once you’ve made it up to Llyn Parc, there’s a perfectly situated bench where you can take in the quiet surroundings of the lake – a perfect stop to eat your packed lunch. And if you’re still feeling a bit peckish after the walk back down, the best thing about this walk is you have all the amenities of Betws Y Coed waiting for you at the end of the walk. Head into one of the cosy pubs or cafes for a well deserved drink or a warm cup of coffee. 

Find out more here.

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Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd 

Following the A470, just outside the town of Dolgellau you’ll find one of North Wales’ most special woodlands. Perfect to visit in the Autumn, this is a great circular walk in South Eryri, taking you alongside the turbulent River Gamlan and past the magnificent Rhaeadr Ddu waterfalls. This woodland is managed by the National Trust, and the woodland itself is free to enter. Parking at the Dolmelynllyn National Trust car park (which is free for National Trust Members), the trail begins right away. You’ll immediately see the cascading waterfalls and it’s only a short walk up to the main Rhaedr Ddu waterfall. 

This walk is a must for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The woodland forms part of a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is part of the Coedydd Derw a Safleoedd Ystlumod Meirion/ Meirionnydd Oak woods. It’s also classified Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for the rare Lesser Horseshoe Bats. 

The wet climate created by the falls also makes this woodland the richest site in North Western Europe for Mosses Lichens and Liverworts. It’s a really special woodland and one well worth visiting.

The circular walk covers around 2 miles, roughly 3.2 km and takes approximately 1.5 – 2 hours to complete. The terrain is a mixture of tarmac, uneven dirt tracks, and does include steeper rocky sections around the gorge and waterfalls. Care should be taken for those wanting a closer look at the Rhaedr Ddu falls as the rocks at this time of year can often become slippery. 

Find out more here.

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