Beddgelert Forest, near Beddgelert
Huge forest in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia)...
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.
Current trail diversions
There is a diversion around the Fedw Deg section of the Dolen Eryri mountain bike trail. Please follow all instructions and diversion signs on site.
The Penmachno Trails are situated near the village of Penmachno within the spectacular landscape of Gwydir Forest Park.
These two very remote and natural feeling mountain bike trails have a mixture of singletrack descents and technical climbs.
Each trail is a circular loop and you can either follow just the first loop (Dolen Machno) or you can join the second loop (Dolen Eryri) at the halfway point of the first loop for a longer ride.
The Penmachno Trails are managed and maintained by Menter Bro Machno (a local volunteer community group).
All our mountain bike trails are waymarked from start to finish and have been graded for difficulty.
At the start of the trails there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.
The Dolen Machno has the fastest descents and biggest climbs.
It has fast, technical single-track, tight switch-backs and a couple of leg-testing climbs.
The Dolen Eryri is all about the flow and the views.
It has a great mix of sweeping single-track, carving boardwalk, technical pitched stone trail and some great views.
These mountain bike trails are remote and exposed with little or no phone signal.
Please be prepared and, if riding on your own, let somebody know.
The Penmachno Trails are looked after and maintained by a local volunteer community group, Menter Bro Machno.
The trails are funded by donations from bikers and maintained by volunteers - donations can be made at the trailhead at the start of the trail or through the Menter Bro Machno website.
For more information go to the Penmachno mountain bike trails website.
Gwydir Forest Park
Penmachno is in Gwydir Forest Park.
Gwydir Forest Park lies in the heart of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and encircles the village of Betws-y-coed.
Lead and zinc mining once dominated the area and the legacy of old engine-houses, waste tips and reservoirs are characteristic features of the forest landscape today.
Several of the most important mines have been partially restored and made safe for visitors.
Waymarked trails start from Betws-y-coed and several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park:
Gwydir Forest Park forms part of the National Forest for Wales.
The National Forest will:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penmachno is 5½ miles south of Betws-y-coed.
The postcode is LL24 0PY.
Please note that this postcode may not take you to the parking area 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 location of the parking area.
Take the A5 from Betws-y-coed over the bridge towards Llangollen.
After 1¾ miles, turn right onto the B4406 signposted towards Penmachno village.
After going through the village, continue for another ½ mile and the parking area is on the right along a forest track.
View this place on the What3Words website.
The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the parking area is SH 786 498 (Explorer Map OL 18).
The nearest mainline railway station is in Betws-y-coed.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
Please park carefully at the forest entrance, leaving the forest track clear for access.
Parking is free of charge.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
The Penmachno Trails are funded by donations from bikers and maintained by volunteers - donations can be made at the trailhead at the start of the trail or through the Menter Bro Machno website.
For more information go to the Penmachno mountain bike trails website.
There are no staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.