About Llwybr Coedwig Cymru Trail - Section 2
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.
