The Arch, near Aberystwyth
Walks through huge beech trees with views over...
Coed y Bont is a community woodland situated on the edge of the village of Pontrhydfendigaid.
It is made up of two adjoining woods, Coed Dolgoed and Coed Cnwch.
Coed Dolgoed is a lower level, flat woodland of native broadleaf trees, mainly willow and downy birch with rowan, hazel, aspen and oak.
Coed Cnwch is an ancient woodland situated on the adjacent hillside with old oaks, areas of hazel and some conifer trees.
There is a range of visitor facilities at Coed y Bont, including two level walking trails through Coed Dolgoed.
Coed y Bont Community Woodland Association helps to look after the woodland.
The community association has developed a range of facilities for local people and visitors.
These include:
There are two purpose-built trails in the lower level, flat woodland of Coed Dolgoed.
This short walk takes you through a young woodland and passes by a pond with a small island.
The pond often dries out in the summer but it is a peaceful place to sit on one of the benches.
Look out for the “trembling” aspen trees - their leaves shake in the breeze and turn a golden colour in autumn.
Meander through the birch trees and follow the path that goes between two small ponds.
This is a very boggy part of the woodland so look out for dragonflies in late summer.
The trail returns to the start along the forest road from where there are views of Pen-y-Bannau, a striking hill to the north.
There is a network of rougher and steeper paths through the ancient woodland of Coed Cnwch, situated on the hillside.
Look out for the wildlife identification posts with information about some of the species found here.
Coed y Bont Community Woodland Association helps to look after the woodlands in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, within the terms of a management agreement.
Volunteers from the association undertake various maintenance tasks such as renovating and upgrading paths, installing seats and keeping vegetation in check.
Their work has increased the diversity of habitats and species here as well as improving access to the woodland for local people and visitors.
The association also organises events in the woodland including conservation days and seasonal guided walks.
For more information about the Coed y Bont Community Woodland Association go to the Coed y Bont Woodland Community Association Facebook page or the Coed y Bont Woodland Community Association Website.
The woodlands that make up Coed y Bont were once within the grounds of the Cistercian abbey of Strata Florida, one of the largest abbeys in Britain.
Coed y Bont is on the Strata Florida Trail and there are information boards about the abbey’s history in the car park.
The abbey ruins are nearby and are open to visitors.
For more information, go to the Cadw website.
Coed y Bont is located in the Cambrian Mountains which have some of the darkest night skies in Europe.
Coed y Bont is one of the best local places to see the stars and it has been designated as a Dark Sky Discovery Site.
Dark Sky Discovery Sites are places that:
Get tips for enjoying the night sky on the UK Dark Sky Discovery Partnership website
Coed y Bont 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 the trails 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.
The two trails around the lower woodland (Coed Dolgoed) follow level paths.
The paths are surfaced with gravel and can be a little bumpy in places.
They are suitable for off-road mobility scooters, and may be suitable for more robust pushchairs and wheelchairs.
There are several benches along both trails.
Coed y Bont community woodland is 6 miles north of Tregaron.
The postcode is SY25 6ER.
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.
Take the B4343 from Tregaron towards Pontrhydfendigaid.
After entering Pontrhydfendigaid, turn right onto Abbey Road following the brown and white sign for Strata Florida Abbey.
After ½ mile the Coed y Bont car park is on the right.
View this place on the What3Words website.
The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SN 737 659 (Explorer Map 187).
The nearest mainline railway station is in Aberystwyth.
There is a bus service to Pontrhydfendigaid.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking is free of charge.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
There are no Natural Resources Wales staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.