Coed Maen Arthur Woodland, near Aberystwyth

Welcome

Coed Maen Arthur is a woodland in the Ystwyth valley near the village of Pont-rhyd-y-groes.

The waymarked walk goes through the woodland to Castell Grogwynion, one of the largest hill forts in Wales, and passes near an impressive waterfall.

This area was once home to a busy lead-mining industry.

The walk is reached via a wooden bridge high over a deep river gorge - this bridge replaced the one used by mineworkers which is thought to have collapsed.

Coed Maen Arthur is especially beautiful in autumn when the trees are ablaze with seasonal colours of yellow and red.

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.

Maen Arthur Trail

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 3 miles/4.7 kilometres
• Time: 2 hours
• Trail information: To reach the start of the trail you need to go through the footpath gate opposite the water wheel in the village of Pont-rhyd-y-groes. Follow the steps down to the bridge high over the gorge. The trail is circular and has numerous long climbs and steep descents. The surface will be rough and possibly wet in places. Keep to the path on the return leg of the walk – there are steep drops down cliffs and the gorge. The river can be very fast flowing after heavy rain and can rise very quickly – please keep away.

The Maen Arthur Trail climbs the wooded hillside of the Iron Age hill fort and emerges into a clearing with views over the trees and down into the valley.

The route goes past a spectacular waterfall and then follows the fast-flowing river.

It returns via a path along the bottom of the gorge.

National Forest for Wales

Coed Maen Arthur 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.

Closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.

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 any temporary diversion signs.

How to get here

Location

Coed Maen Arthur is 14 miles south east of Aberystwyth. 

It is in the county of Ceredigion.

Ordnance Survey map

Coed Maen Arthur is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map 213.

The OS grid reference is SN 738 722.

Directions

Take the B4340 from Aberystwyth to Trawsgoed.

Follow this road through Trawsgoed until it crosses the River Ystwyth and then turn immediately left.

Follow the river to the village of Pont-rhyd-y-groes where there is a large water wheel on the right hand side of the road.

To reach the start of the trail you need to go through the footpath gate opposite the water wheel. Follow the steps down and cross the bridge over the gorge - look out for the information panel on the rock on the other side of the bridge.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Aberystwyth.

There is a bus service from Aberystwyth to Pont-rhyd-y-groes.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

The trail starts near the water wheel in the village of Pont-rhyd-y-groes.

To reach the start of the trail you need to go through the footpath gate opposite the water wheel.

There is not a car park at the start of the trail so please park considerately on the road.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.