Clocaenog Forest - Pincyn Llys, near Ruthin

What's here

Ancient monument
Parking (free)
Walking trail

Welcome

Pincyn Llys is in Clocaenog Forest, a huge area of woodland, open moorland and rivers.

This small roadside car park is the starting point for a short walk to the Pincyn Llys monument.

The monument is the highest point in Clocaenog Forest and there are views across the Vale of Clwyd.

Lord Bagot erected the monument in 1830 to commemorate the planting of a conifer forest.

The forest was cut down during the First World War to provide wooden props for the trenches and coal mines and it was then replanted by the Forestry Commission in the 1930s.

Walking trail

The starts from the information panel on the other side of the road to the parking area.

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Pincyn Llys Monument Walk

Grade: Easy
Distance: ¾ mile/1.1 kilometres (total)
Time: 30 minutes

The walk starts in shady woodland and makes its way to open moorland before the short but steep climb to the Pincyn Llys monument.

The full inscriptions on the monument are worth a read.

The monument stands at the highest point in Clocaenog Forest (1358ft/414m) and there is also an ancient earthwork and trig point with views across the Vale of Clwyd.

The walk returns to the car park along the same path.

Hiraethog Trail

The Hiraethog Trail goes through Pincyn Llys.

This trail links the villages of Pentrefoelas, Cerrigydrudion, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfr and Llanrhaeadr via public footpaths and quiet lanes across some of Denbighshire and Conwy’s most beautiful and remote countryside.

It may not be waymarked and we recommend that you take a map with you.

For more information go to the Denbighshire Countryside Service website.

Clocaenog Forest

Clocaenog is a huge conifer forest which is the size of 10,000 rugby pitches (100km²).

It lies at the southern end of Hiraethog Moor and was first planted in the 1930s by the Forestry Commission.

Although still a working forest, it is now a place for people to enjoy and home for a wide variety of wildlife.

Red squirrels live in Clocaenog Forest but you will be very lucky to see one as they move over large areas and are quite secretive.

Rare black grouse, known for their flamboyant courtship display, known as ‘lekking’, live on the forest edge.

In addition to Pincyn Llys, waymarked trails start from several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Clocaenog Forest:

Bod Petryal - a peaceful lakeside picnic site with a short walk and a cycle trail
Boncyn Foel Bach - scenic viewpoint with a picnic area and short woodland stroll
Coed y Fron Wyllt - ancient woodland with riverside walk and wildlife viewing hide
Pool Park - easy to find woodland with short walk
Rhyd y Gaseg - short woodland walk to waterfall

National Forest for Wales

Clocaenog Forest forms part of the National Forest for Wales.

The National Forest will:

create areas of new woodland
enhance existing woodlands
restore Wales’ irreplaceable ancient woodlands

It will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.

Parts of the network will eventually form a trail running the length and breadth of Wales, so anyone can access it wherever they live.

For more information go to the National Forest for Wales website.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

How to get here

Pincyn Llys is 4½ miles south west of Ruthin.

Postcode

The postcode is LL15 2DH.

Please note that this postcode may not take you to the car park if you use a sat nav or navigation app.

We suggest you follow the directions below or use the Google map on this page which has a pin on the car park’s location.

Directions

Take the B5105 from Ruthin towards Llanfwrog.

After the church take the first right towards Telpyn.

Continue to Bontuchel and turn left after the small bridge onto a minor road towards Clocaenog.

After two miles, shortly after the road enters the forest, you will reach the start of the walking trail - look out for the Natural Resources Wales sign.

Parking is in the lay-by opposite the start of the walking trail.