The Arch, near Aberystwyth
Walks through huge beech trees with views over...
Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes
What's here
The accessible boardwalk to the viewing area on the Cascades Walk is open, but visitors need to return to the car park along the boardwalk as the circular return route through the forest is closed due to harvesting work.
Welcome
Hafren Forest was planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1930s and named after Afon Hafren (the Welsh name for the River Severn).
You can walk to the source of the Severn, which is in a peat bog on the slopes of Pumlumon, on our waymarked trail.
There are also waterfall walks for all to enjoy including an accessible boardwalk along the riverbank to a viewing area over the Cascade Falls and walks through the woodland to the famous Severn-Break-its-Neck waterfall or Blaen Hafren Falls.
Hafren Forest is the start (or end) point for two long distance, linear walks - the Wye Valley Walk and the Severn Way.
Walking trails
The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.
Look out for the information panel at the start of the trails in the main car park (Rhyd-y-benwch).
Find out about walking trail grades.
Cascades Walk
- Grade: Accessible
- Distance: ½ mile/0.8 kilometre
- Time: 30 minutes
- Trail information: The trail follows a sloping path from the car park to the boardwalk. It returns on a well surfaced wide path through the forest.
The Cascades Walk goes down to a boardwalk along the riverbank and onto the tumbling cascades.
Here there is a raised platform to enjoy the view before returning through the forest to the car park.
Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail
- Grade: Moderate
- Distance: 1½ miles/2.8 kilometres
- Time: 1 hour
The Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail sets off along the river and then goes through a meadow with a boardwalk section.
It crosses a foot bridge where the River Severn thunders down a gully into the famous Severn-Break-its-Neck waterfall.
It returns to the car park on a forest road with views across the forest.
Blaen Hafren Falls Trail
- Grade: Moderate
- Distance: 3½ miles/6 kilometres
- Time: 1½ hours
This scenic route goes through the heart of the forest alongside the River Severn to Blaen Hafren Falls.
Source of the Severn Trail
- Grade: Strenuous
- Distance: 8 miles/12.8 kilometres
- Time: 4½ hours
- Trail information: The trail sets out on a well-surfaced path with compact gravel and loose stones. The there-and-back section to the source of the Severn is on stone slabs and a path of loose stone; there may be sheep on this section. The return route is via forest road and a narrow loose shale riverside path. Some steep ascents and descents and several benches along the route.
The Source of the Severn Trail leads alongside the river and through the forest to Blaen Hafren Falls.
It then climbs steeply to the forest boundary and onto a stone path through boggy moorland to the Severn’s source on Pumlumon - the source is marked by a post.
The trail passes by some heritage features including a standing stone and the remains of a mine and a farmstead - look out for the information panels along the route.
Long distance walking routes
Wye Valley Walk
The Wye Valley Walk is a 136 mile long distance walk along the River Wye to Chepstow.
Hafren Forest is the start (or end) point for this linear walk.
For more information see the Wye Valley Walk website.
Severn Way
The Severn Way is a 210 mile long distance walk to Bristol.
Hafren Forest is the start (or end) point for this linear route.
For more information see the Long Distance Walkers Association website.
Glyndŵr’s Way
Small sections of Glyndŵr’s Way, a National Trail, pass through the eastern edge of Hafren Forest.
For more information see the Glyndŵr’s Way website.
Sarn Sabrina
Sarn Sabrina is a 25 mile circular waymarked walk, part of which passes through Hafren Forest.
The route is named after the Celtic myth of Sabrina, a water nymph said to inhabit the waters of the River Severn.
For more information, see the Sarn Sabrina website.
Long distance cycle route
The Sustrans cycle route 8 is a signposted route between Cardiff and Holyhead.
It passes through Hafren Forest along the road maintained by Powys County Council.
For more information see the Sustrans website.
Ospreys in Hafren Forest
Ospreys spend the summer by a reservoir in Hafren Forest called Llyn Clywedog.
These large birds of prey return to Africa in late August.
You can watch the live feed from one of the osprey nests during the breeding season (normally March to August).
- Watch live footage and videos from Hafren Forest’s osprey nest on YouTube
- Read our blog about ospreys in Hafren Forest
Accessibility information
Facilities include:
- parking for blue badge holders
- accessible toilets
- Cascades Walk accessible trail
National Forest for Wales
Hafren Forest 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.
In time it will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.
For more information about the National Forest for Wales go to the Welsh Government 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
Hafren Forest is 6 miles west of Llanidloes.
It is in the county of Powys.
Ordnance Survey map
Hafren Forest is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map 214.
The OS grid reference is SN 857 869.
Directions
Follow Short Bridge Street out of Llanidloes town centre.
Cross the river and turn left.
Follow this narrow road for 5½ miles, passing through Old Hall, and the Rhyd-y-benwch car park is on your left.
The car park can also be reached via minor roads from the northern end of Llyn Clywedog.
Public transport
The nearest mainline railway station is in Caersws.
For details of public transport visit the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking
The main car park is Rhyd-y-benwch.
Car parking is free of charge here.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
Contact details
Related document downloads
Hafren Forest leaflet
PDF [13.3 MB]
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