Clocaenog: Walking Trails, Forest and Views

Walks and activities

The Beech Avenue Stroll is an easy, 0.8-kilometre walk through an impressive avenue of beech trees. The Keeper’s Stroll at Bod Petryal is also easy: the 1-kilometre route passes an old gamekeeper’s cottage and a lake. On the Animal Discovery Trail at Bod Petryal, clues help children find hidden animals in the forest. The Bod Petryal Trot is an easy 3.3-kilometre route that can be used by cyclists, horse riders and walkers. The Rhyd y Gaseg Walk is moderate and 1.6 kilometres long; the route crosses a ford and a wooden bridge. The operator warns of steep sections. For planning, the approximate durations of two walks can be compared directly: about 20 minutes for the Beech Avenue Stroll and about 45 minutes for the Rhyd y Gaseg Walk.

Forest and wildlife watching

Coed y Fron Wyllt consists mainly of ancient woodland, which has been wooded since at least 1600. It has a circular walk and a wildlife viewing hide overlooking a wetland. The walk and the hide offer different experiences: exercise along the route and wildlife watching with a view over the wetland. Another circular walk is eight miles long and forms a figure of eight around the ancient woodland of Coed y Fron Wyllt and the conifer plantation at the Pincyn-Llys monument in Coed Clocaenog. The route therefore takes in two different woodland settings: ancient woodland and a conifer plantation.

Viewpoints and long-distance trails

The Pincyn-Llys monument stands at 414 metres at the highest point of Clocaenog Forest and offers views across the Vale of Clwyd. The Hiraethog Trail 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. The two viewpoints can be distinguished: from the monument, the view extends across the Vale of Clwyd, while the Brenig Way offers views of the Clwydian Range at Pincyn Llys. The routes also differ in scale: the circular walk described is eight miles long, while the Brenig Way is 32 miles.

St Trillo’s Church

St Trillo’s Church is on the edge of the small village of Clocaenog. Its foundation may date back to the Early Middle Ages; this early date is therefore a possibility, not a certainty.

Practical information

At Coed y Fron Wyllt, a bus stop is 120 metres from the entrance to the car park. Check bus services separately for your travel date. A travel guide published on 16 April 2024 mentions a Fflecsi bus that reaches Clocaenog from Ruthin by prior booking. Check whether the service is currently available before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Cynwyd, Dyserth, Rhyl, Llandrillo, Nantglyn, Llanrhaeadr, Brynsaithmarchog, Denbigh

For the wider travel overview: Denbighshire.