Tywi Forest – Holy Well, near Tregaron

Welcome

Tywi Forest blankets the hills near the small town of Tregaron in one of the most remote parts of mid Wales.

This huge conifer forest was originally planted by the Forestry Commission to produce timber. It is still a working forest but there are paths and tracks suitable for walking, biking and horse riding.

Our short walking trail is near the village of Pontrhydfendigaid. It goes through the trees to an old well above the banks of the Afon Glas­ffrwd and past an old farmhouse which, unusually for this region, was once thatched with reeds.

Little is known about the well but it is thought to date from the mediaeval period and may have been linked to the Cistercian abbey of Strata Florida. The abbey is one mile away and the ruins which are managed by Cadw are open to visitors.

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.

Holy Well Walk

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 1½ miles/2.3 kilometres
• Time: 1½ hours
• Trail information: The trail follows narrow paths through the woodland and alongside a river. The surface is muddy, rooty and rocky. There are stream crossovers and some steep ascents and descents and some sheer drops at the side of the trail. The five stepping stones over the river are about halfway along the trail. The stones are large, uneven and widely spaced, and they are slippery when wet. Take special care crossing them and, if they are covered by high water, you will need to return the way you came.

Walk beside the river and past gnarled oak trees.

Follow the waymarkers to the well, a slate box-shaped chamber with three steps.

The trail continues to the stepping stones over the river and past the remains of Ty’n y Garreg, an old farmhouse and barn, and then follows a forest road back to the parking area.

Halfway along the trail there is a picnic bench just after crossing the river.

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

The Holy Well Walk is just outside the village of Pontrhydfendigaid, 7½ miles north east of Tregaron.

It is in the county of Ceredigion.

Ordnance Survey map

The Holy Well Walk is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map 187.

The OS grid reference for the start of the walk is SN 755 646.

Directions

Take the B4343 from Tregaron towards Pontrhydfendigaid.

After 5½ miles turn right, following the brown and white signs towards Strata Florida Abbey.

Continue past the abbey and the road becomes singletrack.

The car parking area is a small lay-by on the left after about 1 mile, at the end of the singletrack road.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Aberystwyth.

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

Parking

Car parking is free of charge.

Parking is in a small lay-by with an information panel at the forest entrance. Please park carefully to keep the access to the forest and to the neighbouring property clear.

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.