“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
This quote sums Wales up perfectly. It is the land of wellbeing, you can escape the busy streets of any city and even better still you can escape your phone within our forests (as the signal doesn’t live there). Lose yourself in the tranquillity of the forests of North East Wales and a few things to remember; if you are taking any 4 legged friends please keep them on a lead (no matter how friendly or small they are) and please take your litter home with you.
Nant Mill Woods
Whether you want to discover local wildlife and history of the Clywedog Valley or take a stimulating walk through splendid woods and countryside, this former corn mill is a great location for walkers or a family visit.
The Visitor Centre nestles in beautiful ancient woodland alongside the enchanting River Clywedog. Nant Mill is located on the Clywedog Valley Trail, which winds for 6.5 miles through glorious countryside from Minera Lead Mines, through Nant Wood and Plas Power Wood, where Offa’s Dyke can be seen, passed the Bersham Iron Works and Heritage Centre, the impressive Erddig Estate and on to King’s Mill in Wrexham.
Clocaenog Forest
Clocaenog Forest lies at the heart of the Mynydd Hiraethog and covers 6000 hectares (15000 acres). It is home to one of the last remaining populations of red squirrel in Wales and a key area for the increasingly rare black grouse, and for many breeding birds of prey species. Many miles of very quiet forest roads and numerous car parks makes this forest an ideal location for family cycling, walking and horse riding.
This expansive forest in Denbighshire has miles of walking and cycling trails to try. It covers 100km2 and is located at the southern end of Hiraethog Moor, near Ruthin. There’s miles of peaceful woodland trails, heather moorland, pretty streams, waterfalls and lots of wildlife to see. In particular look out for the red squirrels, crossbill, wild horses and the rare black grouse.
Nercwys Forest
Coed Nercwys is located in the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) near Mold. It is a conifer woodland which provides an excellent habitat for wildlife – look out for birds such as buzzards, gold crest and coal tits. The woodland has many heritage features to discover including a bronze age burial cairn, old farmsteads, mine buildings and quarry workings.
You have plenty of walks to get your teeth into such as the Nercwys Circular Trail and this walk takes you through the forest’ packed heritage features including ruined lead mine buildings, the restored remains of a shepherd’s cottage and a walled paddock. There are panoramic viewpoints to enjoy the scenery. Or the Bryn Alun Link trail which is a linear walk to Bryn Alyn and the second largest limestone pavement in Wales where there is a viewpoint to admire the spectacular scenery.
Moel Famau Forest
Moel Famau Country Park is at the heart of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rising to a height of 554 metres (1818 feet), Moel Famau is the highest peak on the Clwydian Range summit chain. At the top lie the ruins of the Jubilee Tower, an iconic monument visible from all directions, with a wonderful outlook across North Wales and North West England you can discover a new favourite view.
You can walk through the forest from the Coed Moel Famau car park to the summit of Moel Famau. You can also start many walks from this location that spread throughout the whole Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Loggerheads Country Park
Loggerheads Country Park is the gateway to discover the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The country park sits below the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Alyn Valley where the river enters steep wooded gorges and open and secluded grasslands. The lovely limestone scenery has inspired artists and attracted large numbers of visitors for generations.
There are two short circular trails within the park and a network of way-marked footpaths radiate from out from it. Two of these walking trails are on land managed by Natural Resources Wales.
