Dyfi National Nature Reserve - Cors Fochno, near Aberystwyth

Welcome

Cors Fochno is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve, situated midway between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth.

Known locally as Borth Bog, Cors Fochno is one of the largest and finest remaining examples of a raised peat bog in Britain - peat has been accumulating here gradually and continuously for over 6,000 years and now reaches a depth of over 6 metres.

The short walk from the small parking area includes a circular boardwalk around the edge of the bog.

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.

Cors Fochno Walk

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 1 mile/1.4 kilometres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Please stay on the boardwalk – we don’t want you to sink or get stuck! 

Enjoy views over the huge peat bog on the circular boardwalk.

What to see at the National Nature Reserve

The bog’s formation started around 5500 BC when part of the estuary floodplain was covered by forest, but as sea levels rose, the forest was replaced by reed swamp and then peat bog.

The most westerly part is now eroded by the sea, but at low tide the stumps of long dead trees can still be seen on the beach near Borth.

The bog’s surface today is dominated by a tapestry of green, gold and red sphagnum mosses and many rare and unusual species live here including insectivorous plants like sundews, the rosy marsh moth and small red damselfly.

The landscape and wildlife varies at Cors Fochno depending on which time of year you visit – read on to find out what to look out for.

A bog for bugs

Many rare and specialised invertebrates survive here.

They include:

• rosy marsh moth
• large heath butterfly
• bog bush-cricket
• small red damselfly
• bog raft spider

Hostile place for plants

The waterlogged bog surface is a hostile place for most plants, and those that thrive here, like bog cotton, bog asphodel and bog myrtle, all have special adaptations.

Carnivorous plants also come into their own here including all three native species of sundews.

Bog-creating mosses

The most important bog specialist plants (and the main peat-formers), are the bog mosses or sphagnums, which form colourful carpets on the open bog and raise its surface into a shallow dome as their remains accumulate.

Fifteen species of bog moss occur here including three national rarities.

Dyfi National Nature Reserve

Cors Fochno is part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve.

This 2,000 hectare reserve also includes the Dyfi estuary and Ynyslas sand dunes.

Ynyslas Visitor Centre is the main access point to the Dyfi National Nature Reserve.

National Nature Reserves in Wales

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

National Nature Reserves are areas of the countryside where special examples of Britain’s habitats and wildlife are protected.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves.

Welsh Raised Bogs project

Cors Fochno 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 Fochno is one of the largest actively growing raised bogs in the lowlands of Britain, with peat up to 8 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 our news releases, go to the Welsh Raised Bogs project webpage.

Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast Path runs along the southern and eastern edge of Cors Fochno between Borth and Tre Taliesin.

The Wales Coast Path provides a continuous walking route around the coastline of Wales.

For more information go to the Wales Coast Path website.

Dyfi Biosphere

Cors Fochno is within the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere.

Biospheres inspire communities to work together in creating a future we can all be proud of, connecting people with nature and cultural heritage, while strengthening the local economy.

For more information go to the Dyfi Biosphere 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

Cors Fochno is 11 miles north of Aberystwyth.

It is in the county of Ceredigion.

Ordnance Survey map

Cors Fochno is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map OL 23.

The OS grid reference is SN 633 922.

Directions

From Aberystwyth, take the A487 towards Machynlleth.

After around 9 miles, in Tre’r-ddôl, turn left towards Ynyslas on the B4353.

Continue for around 1½ miles and turn left onto a small track with a gated entrance.

Drive down this track, closing the gate after driving through, to the small parking area (about 600 metres along the track).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Borth.

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

Parking

Car parking is free of charge.

The small parking area is reached by driving down a narrow track with a gate at the entrance.

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.