Pen Arthur Wood, near Llandovery

Welcome

Pen Arthur Wood lies on the western edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

This woodland is made up of an attractive mix of conifers and native broadleaved trees.

You can follow the forest roads uphill to enjoy views of the Tywi Valley on one side and of the Black Mountain on the other side.

You can also join the Beacons Way long distance route which passes close to Pen Arthur Wood.

Walking trail

The route is not waymarked.

See the information panel in the car park for the suggested route.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Banc Carreg-foel-gam Viewpoint route

• Grade: Strenuous
• Distance: 4½ miles/7.3 kilometres (there and back)
• Time: 3 hours
• Trail information: This route is not waymarked. See the information panel in the car park for the suggested route. This walk is uphill on a forest road all the way to the viewpoint so a high level of fitness is needed. The short circuit at the top can be wet so walking boots are recommended. Return to the car park back down the same forest road.

Great views on a clear day of the Black Mountain and the Tywi Valley are your reward for a long climb up to up to Banc Carreg-foel-gam (350m/1150ft above sea level).

The viewpoint is on a short circuit through moorland at the end of the forest road.

The Beacons Way

The Beacons Way is a 99 mile (159 kilometre) long distance route through the Brecon Beacons National Park.

You can follow a public footpath from the Banc Carreg-foel-gam viewpoint in Pen Arthur Wood to join the section of the Beacons Way to the summit of Garn Goch.

For a circular route, you can return on a minor road to the east of the village of Bethlehem.

Please note that this suggested route is not waymarked and you are not on Natural Resources Wales land once you leave the wood.

For more information about the Beacons Way go to the National Park's website.

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park

Pen Arthur Wood is in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

The National Park covers approximately 520 square miles of mountains and moorland in South and Mid Wales.

It is looked after by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.

For more information go to the National Park's visitor website.

National Forest for Wales

Pen Arthur Wood 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.

Please always follow any instructions on site and any temporary diversion signs.

How to get here

Pen Arthur Wood is 8 miles south west of Llandovery.

It is in the county of Carmarthenshire.

Directions

Take the A4089 from Llandovery to Llangadog.

Take the A4069 from Llangadog towards Brynaman.

After 2½ miles the entrance to Pen Arthur Wood is on the right.

Ordnance Survey map

Pen Arthur Wood is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map OL 12.

The OS grid reference is SN 718 252.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Llangadog.

For details of public transport visit the Traveline Cymru's website.

Parking

Car 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.