Walks for autumn

Pick your route

We’ve chosen five woodlands and nature reserves where you can enjoy a walk full of autumn colour.

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish and there is an information panel at the start of the trail.

Every walking trail is graded to give an indication of its difficulty. Find out about walking trail grades.

Minwear Forest, near Haverfordwest

Immerse yourself in the burnished hues of red oak and beech trees

Get ready to gasp at the burnished colours of the red oak and beech trees on this circular walk in an old woodland. Keep your eyes peeled for woodland birds like long-tailed tits, great spotted woodpeckers and treecreepers. Don’t miss the viewpoint over the Cleddau Estuary – look out for herons and other waterside birds here. Take a flask and relax at one of the picnic areas along the route.

• Trail name: Minwear Walk
• Length: 1½ miles/2.6 kilometres
• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: The trail starts off on a wide stoned track through the wood which climbs gently. It becomes narrower in places and can be muddy. There are some steps and there are two picnic areas along the route.
• Start and finish: Minwear Forest car park, 8 miles east of Haverfordwest

Find out more

• How to get here and facilities at Minwear Forest
• Download a trail map from the bottom of this page

Craig Cerrig Gleisiad a Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Climb through heather and bilberry to a cairn with views of Pen y Fan

Autumn is a great time to visit the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park as there are fewer visitors and the weather is often ideal for walking. Set off on our short but steep waymarked trail to experience a craggy mountain landscape just a few hundred metres from the A470. This circular route follows a river and then climbs steeply through heather and bilberry to a cairn. There are great views of Pen y Fan from here and on the return route down a grassy slope.

• Trail name: Bluestone Walk
• Length: 2 miles/3.4 kilometres
• Grade: Strenuous
• Terrain: The trail follows an uneven and increasingly steep narrow path over uneven ground with loose stones. It returns down a steep, grassy slope and has stepping stones to cross a stream. The reserve is grazed by cattle, sheep and mountain ponies - please keep dogs under close control.
• Start and finish: Lay-by adjacent to the A470, approximately 7 miles south of Brecon

Find out more

• How to get here, other walking routes and facilities at Craig Cerrig Gleisiad a Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve
• Download a trail map from the bottom of this page

Whitestone, near Chepstow

Soak up the autumn colours from our viewpoints over the Wye Valley

Savour the views over the dramatic Wye gorge and river through the colourful trees from the three viewpoints along this trail. The Wye Valley has been attracting visitors for centuries and autumn is a lovely time to visit the woodlands here which are amongst the most beautiful in Britain. The mixture of trees, ranging from stately oak and beech trees to ash, cherry and small-leaved lime, display a rich palette of seasonal colours.

• Trail name: Wonders of Whitestone
• Length: 1¼ miles/2 kilometres
• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: This is a mainly level circular route with one stony section. There is a bench at each viewpoint.
• Start and finish: Whitestone car park, 10 miles north of Chepstow

Find out more

• How to get here, other walking routes and facilities at Whitestone
• Download a trail map from the bottom of this page

Crychan Forest, near Llandovery

Enjoy autumn’s rich palette on our walk through Crychan Forest

Stretch your legs and immerse yourself in autumn colours on this short walk through Crychan Forest from our easy-to-find car park just off the A40. This circular trail follows alongside the  river know as Nant y Dresglen before crossing a bridge over the water for the return leg. There is another waymarked trail here if you fancy a slightly longer walk – see our website or the information panel in the car park for details.

• Trail name: Nant y Dresglen Trail
• Length: 1¼ miles/2.1 kilometres
• Grade: Easy
• Terrain: The trail follows woodland paths and a forest road which are generally level. There are some rougher, irregular sections and the route may be muddy after wet weather. There are picnic benches around the car park and by the river.
• Start and finish: Halfway car park on the A40, 5 miles east of Llandovery

Find out more

• How to get here, other walking routes and facilities in Crychan Forest
• Download a trail map from the bottom of this page

Gwydir Forest Park, Snowdonia National Park

Savour views of the Conwy Valley clothed in seasonal colours

Enjoy views of the old market town of Llanrwst and Conwy Valley clothed in autumn colours from the viewpoints on this woodland walk. Look out for the sculptures with information panels set amongst the trees. Created by local artists, one of the sculptures is a striking memorial to the old town hall in Llanrwst. This walk is named after Lady Mary whose family developed the historic Gwydir Estate which is nearby.

• Trail name: Lady Mary's Walk
• Length: 1¼ miles/2.1 kilometres
• Grade: Moderate
• Terrain: The trail is on a mixture of wide forest roads and a path with an unmade uneven surface where you can expect some mud, rocks and tree roots. There is a chicane at the start of the trail, and at the top of the first hill, with a gap of around 60 cm to walk through. You will pass through another chicane, following a rough unmade path to rejoin the forest road where you'll follow the route to the Tudor Bowling Green, with a picnic table and a bench.
• Start and finish: Sawbench car park, 1 mile west of Llanrwst

Find out more

• How to get here, other walking routes and facilities in Gwydir Forest Park
• Download a trail map from the bottom of this page

Plan your visit

Sometimes we need to close visitor facilities or trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or operations - please plan ahead and check the web page for the woodland or reserve before you set out.

For advice about preparing for your trip, keeping yourself and others safe and how you can help ensure that the countryside remains a beautiful place that everyone can enjoy see the Countryside Code.

Looking for somewhere else to visit?

Go to Places to Visit.