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Spirit of Llynfi Woodland, near Bridgend

Welcome

The Spirit of Llynfi Woodland is located on the eastern slopes of the Upper Llynfi Valley, nine miles north of Bridgend.

Recently established on a former industrial site, this community woodland offers local people access to green space on their doorstep and has a range of facilities for all to enjoy.

The varied landscape includes ponds, marshland and heathland.

Over 60,000 trees have been planted here including a mixture of broadleaves, fruit and ornamental trees.

The woodland was designed and developed with the community, for the community. It was sponsored by the Welsh Government Nature Fund and the Ford Motor Company Global Fund.

Visiting the Spirit of Llynfi Woodland

Woman walking in Llynfi woodland

The facilities include:

footpaths
running trails (see below)
cycle trail
bridleway
seating areas
geocaches

Running trails

These waymarked running trails are a fantastic introduction to trail running.

The trails are on a mixture of forest roads, tarmacked surfaces, and a short section of single track road, with occasional mud and rocks.

Depending on the difficulty level of the trail, there are steep ascents and descents and undulating sections.

See the information below for more details on the route, length and level of fitness required.

Accessibility information

The Llynfi Valley Trail is an all ability Sustrans route running through the lower half of the site.

An accessible path links the Sustrans route and the bridleway to allow easier access to the upper parts of the site.

Go to the Sustrans website for more information about the Llynfi Valley Trail.

Keeper of the Colliery sculpture

Sculpture

The Spirit of Llynfi Woodland is on the site of the former Coegnant Colliery and Maesteg Washery.

The Keeper of the Colliery is an oak sculpture of a miner which celebrates the lives of the hundreds of miners who once worked throughout the Llynfi valley.

A poem was commissioned for the unveiling ceremony of the sculpture.

The poem is about the area’s industrial past and its rebirth through the Spirit of Llynfi project.

Listen to the Keeper of the Colliery poem in our video.

Poem written by Dan Lock and recited by local historian and former colliery worker, Roy Meredith.

National Forest for Wales

Spirit of Llynfi Woodland 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.

In time it will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.

For more information about the National Forest for Wales go to the Welsh Government website.

Closures and diversions

Please note:

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff
Please always follow any instructions on site and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place