Cors Caron National Nature Reserve, near Tregaron

Welcome

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is a vast area of wetland filling the broad valley of the River Teifi near Tregaron.

The three raised peat bogs are surrounded by reedbeds, fen, wet grassland, woodland, waterways and ponds, and these varied habitats support a wealth of wildlife.

The fully accessible boardwalk goes over the south-east bog and to the large bog hide where you can enjoy a peaceful view of the landscape and wildlife.

The circular Riverside Walk is a longer route which passes through the heart of Cors Caron (this route is not open all year).

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders can also access the Ystwyth Trail, a Sustrans National Cycle route.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trails.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Cors Caron Walk

• Grade: Accessible
• Distance: 1½ miles/2.6 kilometres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: This trail is fully accessible with an all-weather surface and several benches. The bog hide is accessible.

The boardwalk goes over some of the most impressive parts of the bog to a large hide with views of the landscape.

Riverside Walk

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 4¾ miles/7.4 kilometres
• Time: 2½ hours
• Trail information: It can be muddy and wellington boots are recommended! This trail is closed during the summer due to grazing. It may be closed at other times of year due to flooding. No dogs are allowed on this trail.

This circular route follows the riverbank and goes through the heart of Cors Caron.

Multi-user trail

Old Railway Walk

• Grade: Accessible
• Distance: 6¼ miles/10.2 kilometres (there and back)
• Time: 3 hours
• Trail information: Walkers, cyclists and horse riders may use this trail. The disused railway provides a firm surface suitable for wheelchairs.

This linear route follows an old railway track along the edge of the reserve and gives good views over much of Cors Caron.

It leads to The Old Station Yard at Ystrad Meurig.

This used to be the route of the Ystrad Meurig to Tregaron section of the Manchester and Milford Railway which closed in the 1960s.

Sustrans National Cycle route 82 (part of the Ystwyth Cycle Trail from Tregaron to Aberystwyth) follows this trail.

National Nature Reserve

Cors Caron is a National Nature Reserve. 

This large reserve covers an area of over 800ha (or three square miles).

The three raised bogs are world famous – areas of deep peat that have built up over the last 12,000 years. They are some of the most intact examples of raised peat bogs in Britain, with millions of cubic metres of peat up to ten metres deep.

The River Teifi and its floodplain form the centre of the reserve and is internationally important in its own right as a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC); the extensive floodplain feels wild and remote.

The route of the old Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway running along the margin of Cors Caron has developed a wide range of habitats since the railway’s closure in the 1960s.

This rich mix of habitats makes the reserve a fantastic place for wildlife. Red kite, hen harrier, curlew and skylark can fill the skies above the reserve, whilst the bog itself bustles with dragonflies, lizards and otters.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves

National nature reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features. 

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves

Welsh Raised Bogs Project

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is one of seven places in the Welsh Raised Bogs Project.

This project is the first national restoration programme for raised bogs in Wales.

Cors Caron is one of the largest actively growing raised bogs in the lowlands of Britain and has peat up to 10 metres deep.

Raised bogs are one of Wales’ rarest and most important habitats and are home to rare plants and wildlife.

Raised bogs get their name because of their domed shape. They are areas of peat that have built up over 12,000 years and can be as deep as 12 metres.

To learn more about the restoration work, sign up for e-newsletters and read news releases go to the Raised Bogs project webpage.

Accessibility information

Facilities for visitors with disabilities at Cors Caron include:

• The fully accessible circular boardwalk route (Cors Caron Walk) runs for 1 mile (1.5 kilometres) over the south-east bog
• The access to the boardwalk is 400 metres from the main car park along a fully accessible path (the total distance of the return route is 1.6 miles/2.6 kilometres)
• The route goes past the entrance to the accessible bog hide where you can enjoy a peaceful view of the reserve and its wildlife
• There are passing and resting places along the way
• There is some seating along the boardwalk and in the bog hide
• The Old Railway Walk has a firm surface suitable for wheelchairs.
• There are accessible toilets in the main car park

Opening times

Please check the top of this page for any changes to these opening times.

The toilets are open at all times.

The Riverside Walk is closed during the summer and may be closed at other times due to flooding.

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

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is 2 miles north of Tregaron. 

It is in the county of Ceredigion.

Ordnance Survey map

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map 187 and 199.

The OS grid reference for the main car park is SN 692 625.

Directions

Follow the brown and white sign from the crossroads in Tregaron onto the B4343 towards Pontrhydfendigaid.

After 2 miles, the car park is on the left.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Aberystwyth.

Some buses between Aberystwyth and Lampeter stop in Tregaron, and the service from Aberystwyth to Tregaron via Pontrhydfendigaid goes past Cors Caron.

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

Parking

The main car park is two miles from Tregaron on the B4343 towards Pontrhydfendigaid.

There is also a small amount of car parking in a lay-by off the B4343 north of Maesllyn Farm (OS grid reference SN 695 631) and at Ystrad Meurig Station Yard, off the B4340 (OS grid reference SN 711 673).

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

0300 065 3000

enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk