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Brechfa Forest is a rural area in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. It is a vast 6,500-hectare woodland, known for walking trails, mountain biking, and wildlife.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Brechfa Forest is managed by Natural Resources Wales. It sits roughly 17 miles northeast of Carmarthen. Further information can be found at Visit Brechfa Forest and Roam Brechfa Forest.
Get in
[edit | edit source]To reach Brechfa Forest from Carmarthen, take the 282 bus from Carmarthen to Brechfa or travel by car via the A40 and then the B4310.
Get around
[edit | edit source]A car or bike is recommended to travel round the area due to the limited public transport.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Talley Abbey. during daylight all year. Ruined monastery founded in 1185, now in the care of CADW. free.
Do
[edit | edit source]Activities
[edit | edit source]Mountain biking
There are a number of free access MTB trails in the forest. The following are the start point for the trails. Please check the Natural Resources Wales website for up to date information about which trails are open and details of any diversions.
- 1 Derwen trail (Green) - 8.5 km and Byrgwm trails (Blue/Green) - various distances.
- 2 Gorlech trail (Red) - 19 km and Raven trail (Black) - 18.5 km.
Commercial MTB trails:
- 3 Hafod Trails Bike Park. An acclaimed MTB site opened in 2024 with different trails and uplift available. Booking applies.
Horse Riding
- 4 Saddle Tramps Trail Riding. [dead link]
Walking
There are a wide range of walks throughout the area. The following are the starting points for popular walks:
- 5 Abergorlech riverside walks..
- 6 Gwarallt walk - 0.25 miles..
- 7 Keepers walk - 1.5 miles and Wind and water trail - 12 miles..
- 8 Byrgwm walk - 4 miles..
- 9 Marlais valley walk - 2.3 miles..
- 10 Brechfa circular walk - 4 miles..
Parking
[edit | edit source]The following are the main car parks in the forest and starting points for the various trails:
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bryn Stores Community Shop, Bryn Stores, Brechfa, Carmarthen, SA32 7QY, ☏ + 44 1267 202333. Mon-Sat 07.00-13.00.
- 2 West Wales Willows, The Mill, Gwernogle, Carmarthen SA32 7SA, ☏ +44 1267 202309, info@westwaleswillows.co.uk. Living willow, willow products and courses.
Eat and drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 The Black Lion Abergorlech, ☏ +44 1558 685271, lynandphil.blacklion@gmail.com. The Black Lion Abergorlech is a warm, casual Country Pub and Restaurant in the Cothi Valley.
- 2 The Plough Felingwm, Felingwmuchaf, Carmarthen SA32 7PR, ☏ +44 1267 290019, info@yploughfelingwm.co.uk. Relaxed dining experience where you can watch them cook, then enjoy Welsh local produce, adding a bit of flame-cooked flavour and always Carmarthenshire croeso.
- 3 The Belle, Llanllwni, Carmarthen Road, Llanllwni, Llanybydder SA40 9SQ, ☏ +44 1570 480495, info@thebelle.co.uk. A dining pub that provides dishes that are fresh, hearty and simple.
- 4 The Forest Arms, Brechfa, SA32 7RA, ☏ +44 1267 892410, forest@byrgwm.co.uk. A pub with rooms. Choose from their menu of hearty, locally sourced dishes.
- 5 Y Talardd, Llanllwni, Pencader SA39 9DX, ☏ +44 1570 640254. A country pub, serving home made & locally sourced food.
- 6 Y Polyn, Capel Dewi, Carmarthen Carmarthenshire, SA32 7LH, ☏ +44 1267 290000, ypolyn@hotmail.com. Y Polyn is a small family-owned restaurant, tucked away in the Towy valley between the county town of Carmarthen and chic Llandeilo.
- 7 Wrights Emporium, Wright's, Llanarthne, SA32 8JU, ☏ +44 1558 668929, Order@WrightsFood.co.uk.
- 8 Cymdu Inn, Cwmdu Inn, Cwmdu, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire SA19 7DY, ☏ +44 1558 685156, contact@cwmdu.com. Cwmdu is a small but vibrant village in the heart of Carmarthenshire, a few miles from Llandeilo, Llandovery and a little further to Lampeter. At the centre of this picturesque village is the local pub and shop which have been run by the community since the year 2000.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]A wide range of accommodation is available within the area:
Self-catering accommodation
[edit | edit source]- 1 Cambrian Cottages, Gwyddgrug, Berllan, Gwyddgrug, Pencader SA39 9BL, ☏ +44 7786 626010, stay@cambriancottages.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. Visit Wales 4* accredited eco-friendly barn conversion. Winner of the Wales National Tourism Awards 2025 'Bro a Byd Sustainability Award that can be booked individually or together for up to 10 people. Accommodation comprises three dog-friendly cottage apartments in quiet location. Green Tourism Gold Award. From £85 per night.
- 2 Brechfa Forest Barns, New Inn, Blaen Nant Gwyn, New Inn, Pencader, Carmarthenshire SA39 9EH, ☏ +44 7590 923604, bfbarns@gmail.com. Three dog-friendly self-catering cottages with 'dog park'.
- 3 Gilfach Wen Barn, Brechfa, Gilfach Wen, Brechfa, Carmarthenshire, SA32 7QL, ☏ +44 1267 240077. Gilfach Wen Barn offers exclusive-use, self-catering accommodation for up to 32 guests.
- 4 Nant LIwyd Holiday Cottages, Nant Llwyd, Gwernogle, Carmarthenshire SA32 7RS, ☏ +44 1267 220 518, enquire@nantllwyd.co.uk. Two dog-friendly self-catering holiday cottages
- 5 Stangwrach Holiday Cottages, Stangwrach, Llanfynydd, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire SA32 7TG, ☏ +44 1558 668287, info@holidaycottagewales.com. Visit Wales 5* accredited. Winner of the Wales National Tourism Awards 2025 'Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award 2025'
Hotels and B&Bs
[edit | edit source]- 6 Forest Arms, Brechfa, Forest Arms, Brechfa, Carmarthenshire SA32 7RA, ☏ +44 1267 892410, forest@byrgwm.co.uk. A pub with rooms
- 7 Glangwili Mansion, Llanllawddog, Llanllawddog, Carmarthen SA32 7JE, ☏ +44 1267 253735, bookings@glangwilimansion.co.uk. Visit Wales 5* accredited award winning B&B. Winner of Best B&B, Inn and Guesthouse. National Tourism Awards for Wales 2025
- 8 Ty Mawr Country House, Brechfa, Brechfa, Carmarthen, SA32 7RA, ☏ +44 1267 202332, info@wales-country-hotel.co.uk. B&B with 8 bedrooms.
Camping
[edit | edit source]- 9 The Park at Caeaugwynion, Pencader, ☏ +44 7968 220946. A quiet, terraced caravan and motorhome site.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- National Wool Museum
- Talley Abbey
- Llandysul
- Llanllwni