Dyfnant Forest - Hendre, near Welshpool

What's here

The recent strong winds took a significant toll on our sites.

 

We’re continuing to assess the damage, but this will take some time.

 

We may close the car park and other facilities at short notice whilst we undertake recovery operations.

 

You should always follow any instructions given by signs or local staff including any trail diversions or closures, and beware of the danger of falling trees or branches.

Welcome

Hendre is the starting point for the Rainbow Trails for carriage driving in Dyfnant Forest.

Facilities at this car park include:

  • three Rainbow Trails for carriage driving
  • large turning circle
  • two corrals
  • hitching rails
  • a quiet area to harness up and tack up

Rainbow Trails

There are nearly 100 miles of tracks and trails with five horse riding trails and three carriage driving trails in Dyfnant Forest.

Known as the Rainbow Trails, they were developed in partnership with the Dyfnant and Vyrnwy Horse Riders and Carriage Drivers Association

The trails are waymarked and range from an easy trot to challenging 16-mile routes for more experienced riders wanting full-day rides.

For full details and maps go to the Rainbow Trails website.

Dyfnant Forest

Hendre is within Dyfnant Forest.

Dyfnant Forest is an upland forest on the edge of the Cambrian mountains just south of Lake Vyrnwy.

The forest is made up of large areas of conifers and pockets of native deciduous trees.

It is well known for its horse riding and carriage driving trails on scenic tracks.

  • Hendre - starting point for the Rainbow Trails for carriage driving
  • Pen y Ffordd - starting point for the Rainbow Trails for horse riding
  • Pont Llogel Wood - easy riverside stroll through woodland

National Forest for Wales

Dyfnant 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.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

Hendre is 18½ miles west of Welshpool.

Postcode

The postcode is SY21 0QH.

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

From Welshpool, take the A458 towards Dolgellau.

After 14½ miles, just after the village of Llangadfan, turn right, signposted B4395.

After 2 miles, continue past the Pen y Ffordd car park for a further 1½ miles before turning left onto a minor road at a small grey sign for “parking 400 metres”.

Follow this minor road and the Hendre car park is on the right.

What3Words

View this place on the What3Words website.

Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SJ 029 151 (Explorer Map 239).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Welshpool.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.

Related document downloads

Hendre site information PDF [625.0 KB]
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