Clocaenog Forest - Rhyd y Gaseg, near Ruthin

Welcome

Rhyd y Gaseg is one of several car parks in Clocaenog Forest, a huge area of woodland, open moorland and rivers.

The small car park is the starting point for a short walk through the woodland and past a waterfall.

It is a woodland full of different trees including towering poplars, Douglas fir, oak and beech.

Rhyd y Gaseg means ‘the mare’s ford’ in Welsh and a ford still crosses the stream.

The weir may have been connected to the Pool Park Estate which is not far from here.

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.

Rhyd y Gaseg Walk

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 1 mile/1.6 kilometres
• Time: 45 minutes
• Trail information: The trail goes over a ford and a wooden bridge. There are some steep climbs and descents.

You’re never far from the sound of water on this pleasant walk through the woodland.

The waterfall is about halfway around - it can be spectacular after heavy rainfall.

In spring the path through the woodland is edged with bluebells and wild garlic.

Clocaenog Forest

Clocaenog is a huge conifer forest which is the size of 10,000 rugby pitches (100km²).

It lies at the southern end of Hiraethog Moor and was first planted in the 1930s by the Forestry Commission.

Although still a working forest, it is now a place for people to enjoy and home for a wide variety of wildlife.

Red squirrels live in Clocaenog Forest but you will be very lucky to see one as they move over large areas and are quite secretive.

Rare black grouse, known for their flamboyant courtship display, known as ‘lekking’, live on the forest edge.

In addition to Rhyd y Gaseg, waymarked trails start from several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Clocaenog Forest:

• Bod Petryal - a peaceful lakeside picnic site with a short walk and a cycle trail
• Boncyn Foel Bach - scenic viewpoint with a picnic area and short woodland stroll
• Coed y Fron Wyllt - ancient woodland with riverside walk and wildlife viewing hide
• Pincyn Llys - short walk uphill to a monument with far-reaching views
• Pool Park - easy to find woodland with short walk

National Forest for Wales

Clocaenog 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

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.

Visiting safely

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.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities 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.

How to get here

Rhyd y Gaseg is 1 mile south west of Ruthin.

Postcode

The postcode is LL15 2PN.

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.

Directions

Take the B5105 from Ruthin towards Cerrig-y-drudion.

After ¼ mile, opposite the church, turn left onto a minor singletrack road.

Continue for ¾ mile and the car park is on the right.

What3Words

View this place on the What3Words website.

Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SJ 111 566 (Explorer Map 256, 264 or 265.).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Buckley.

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

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

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.