Coed Nercwys, near Mold

Welcome

Discover the heritage features tucked away amongst the trees and our information panels about the people who once lived and worked here.

The woodland provides an excellent habitat for wildlife – look out for birds such as buzzards, goldcrests and coal tits.

The small lake known as Llyn Ochin has dried up but this marshy area now attracts dragonflies and newts, and plants like cotton grass thrive here.

The trail may be used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders and it is waymarked so that walkers follow the route in a different direction to cyclists and horse riders.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Coed Nercwys Walk

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 2¾ miles/4.4 kilometres
• Time: 2 hours
• Trail information: Follow the walking trail in a clockwise direction. The walking trail and the mountain bike trail follow a similar route but they are waymarked so that walkers follow the route in a different direction to cyclists and horse riders.  Take care as cyclists and horse riders follow parts of this trail the opposite way around.

The walking trail sets off on a wide track through the iron gates at the woodland entrance and then turns left onto a path through the woodland.

Look out for ruined buildings from a 19th century lead mine, the remains of a shepherd’s cottage with a walled meadow full of wildflowers in summer and a newly replanted orchard.

At the end of the trail there is an optional climb to a trig point from where you can enjoy views of the Jubilee Tower at the top of Moel Famau and the Dee Estuary.

Mountain bike trail

All our mountain bike trails are waymarked from start to finish and have been graded for difficulty.

At the start of the trail there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.

• Find out about mountain bike trail grades.
• For a list of our mountain bike trails and information to plan your ride, go to mountain biking.
• For more information about mountain biking in Wales, go to the Mountain Bike Wales website.

Nercwys Cycle Trail

• Grade: Green/Easy
• Distance: 3.8 kilometres
• Climb: 50 metres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: This is a shared route for cyclists and horse riders. Follow the cycle trail in an anti-clockwise direction. The walking trail and the mountain bike trail follow a similar route but they are waymarked so that cyclists and horse riders follow the route in a different direction to walkers.  Please watch out for walkers who follow this trail the opposite way around.

This cycle trail is a great place for families to safely enjoy cycling away from busy roads, and at the same time learn about the woodland’s varied history.

The wide track from the iron gates at the woodland entrance meanders through the forest, avoiding major climbs and offering spectacular views over the Cheshire Plain and beyond.

Other walking routes

There are several public footpaths from the Coed Nercwys car park.

See the information panel in the car park for a suggested route to Bryn Alyn, the second largest limestone pavement in Wales (moderate, 4 miles/6.3 kilometres).

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

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Coed Nercwys is situated in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Clywdian Range is a chain of purple heather-clad summits topped by hillforts. The Dee Valley lies beyond these windswept hills and is home to the historic towns of Llangollen and Corwen.

For more information about visiting the AONB go to the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley website.

National Forest for Wales

Coed Nercwys 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

Coed Nercwys is 4 miles south west of Mold.

Postcode

The postcode is CH7 4DD.

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

Head south from Mold, following signs for Nercwys.

Continue through Nercwys and at the second set of crossroads, turn left onto Ffordd Cae Newydd.

After around ¾ mile take the first right and continue for 250 metres and the car park is on the left.

What3Words

View this place on the What3Words website.

Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SJ 218 592 (Explorer Map 265).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Buckley.

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.