Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail: Hensol Forest to Llantrisant Forest

Hensol Forest to Llantrisant Forest

Explore a mix of rural and urban woodlands, each offering something unique along the trail.

Trail length

12.6 km

National Forest Sites on this route

Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Woodlands (Hensol Forest)
Coedwig Gellihir
Pontyclun Woodlands (Ivor Woods, Riverside Walk and land at Hollies)
Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Woodlands (Coed Trecastell)
Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Woodlands (Ynysmaerdy and Llantrisant Forest)

Route

Starting at Hensol Forest, you can park at the main car park (see interactive map). Follow the forest track to the east to join the Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail.

The trail travels through a mix of coniferous and broadleaf woodland. There are plans to return areas to heathland and ancient woodland. Leaving Hensol Forest the route follows the edge of the adjacent Coed Leision a privately owned mixed broadleaved woodland.

Continuing North you will pass Coed Llwyn Rhyddid, a Wildlife Trust reserve, this mixed woodland has a mix of Oak, Ash, Beech and mixed conifers. As you pass the Vale Resort there are many mature broadleaf trees and small woodland areas.

The route continues along the edge and then into Coed Llwyn turning north to follow the boundary of Fforest Fawr and into this mixed broadleaved and conifer woodland. Follow footpaths until leaving the woods and proceeding to the underpass of the M4.

The trail takes you alongside broadleaved woodland, forming a corridor to the M4, before entering the next National Forest for Wales site. Coedwig Gellihir is a broadleaved woodland, the trail follows the edge of the woodland and the Nant Dyfrgi, translated into English this means Otter Stream. There are many wildlife records for this site that is being actively managed to improve biodiversity.

Leaving Coedwig Gellihir, the trail takes you into Pontyclun where there are a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants as well as parking, bus stops and a train station allowing you to access the trail from this transport hub.

There is opportunity to explore another National Forest Wales site near the town centre. Pontyclun Woodlands (Ivor Woods, Riverside Walk and land at Hollies, look at our interactive map to find out more.

Leaving Pontyclun town centre past the train station, follow the river Ely, through mixed broadleaf woodlands until you reach Ynysmaerdy Forest, part of the National Forest for Wales. The route takes you along the river where you will join the old railway line and a level path northward, along the boundary of Llantrisant Forest. It is possible to park and access amenities at nearby Talbot Green and there is a small, Natural Resources Wales managed, car park at Coed Garthmaelwg. Here you can follow forest tracks and rights of way to explore Llantrisant Forest and access the Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail.

Route map

The map may not be accessible to all users. To request an alternative format, please email digital@gov.wales.

Map legend

Items marked with an asterisk* are not visible until zoomed in on the map.

Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail

Image	Hensol Forest to Llantrisant Forest	Image	National Forest for Wales
Image	Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail: section start / end

Travel

Image	Car park	Image	Bus / coach stop
Image	Train station	Image	Ferry terminal
Image	Airport

Facilities

Image	Public toilet	Image	Pub / restaurant*
Image	Cafe*	Image	Hotel / Boarding / Guest House*
Image	Holiday / Campsite*

About the National Forest sites in this section

Hensol Forest

Hensol Forest is managed by Natural Resources Wales and is part of the National Forest for Wales. The route travels through these woodlands which are of a mixed nature with a high proportion of commercial conifer plantation. There is an ongoing collaborative project to restore an area of rare heathland and other areas are programmed for future work to gradually restore some of the Ancient Woodland sites. It is possible to explore Hensol Forest on foot, horseback or cycle.

Coedwig Gellihir

The Llwybr Coedwig Cymru trail takes you along the south and western edges of this diverse mixed broadleaf woodland.

The trail follows natural woodland paths, where remnants of the woodland’s heritage can be seen. Keep a look out for evidence of the old lime kiln and limestone quarry as the path follows the southern boundary of the woodland.

This broadleaved woodland has a variety of species including Oak, Beech, Birch and Ash, the path also takes you past hazel coppice stools.

Pontyclun Woodlands (Ivor Woods)

Ivor woods managed by Pontyclun Town Council, has been in existence since the early 1800s. The woodland gained National Forest status in June 2025. The woodland was recognised for its excellent accessibility close to the community with waymarked trails. Connectivity with the wider woodland network including Coedwig Gellihir. Community involvement, the site is supported volunteers from a variety of sectors, including; a local respite home, Ramblers Association and the Pontyclun Environment Group.

The trees in the centre of the woods consist mainly of Ash, believed to have been planted around the 1920s. The trees around the edges are older and more diverse including Beech, Oak and Sycamore.

Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Woodlands (Coed Trecastell)

Coed Trecastell is managed by Natural Resources Wales and is part of the National Forest for Wales. A small mixed species forest with areas Ancient Semi Natural woodland and commercial conifer plantation. There are plans to gradually remove conifers to restore areas of ancient woodland. The forest is biodiverse with many protected species found; trackside verges are managed for pollinators encouraging native wildflowers.

Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Woodlands (Ynysmaerdy and Llantrisant Forest)

Ynysmaerdy and Llantrisant Forest are managed by Natural Resources Wales and are part of the National Forest for Wales. These woodlands are predominantly conifer plantation with small pockets of ancient Beech and ancient woodland sites which will be retained and gradually restored. It is possible to explore Llantrisant Forest on foot, horseback or cycle. There is a small carpark available at Coed Garthmaelwg.

Want to know more?

The Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail is made up of 4 different sections.

Each of them beautiful trails through National Forest sites.

Discover more