Caio Forest, near Llandovery

Welcome

Caio Forest is made up of several conifer woodlands which spread out over the uplands high above the historic village of Caio in Carmarthenshire.

There are three waymarked circular walking trails from the car park and many miles of forest roads and tracks.

The small picnic area is set in a clearing, just over the river from the car park.

Nearby is the National Trust’s Dolaucothi estate where there are walking trails and a Roman gold mine which is open to visitors.

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.

Rhodfa Pont Annell

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 1 mile/1.7 kilometres
• Time: 45 minutes
• Trail information: Circular trail mainly on two reasonably flat forest roads. Grassy path down to picnic table in clearing. To continue on the circular route, there are steps up from clearing to join forest road. To avoid steps, retrace your route to the car park.

This pleasant walk through the forest crosses a bridge over the stream where there is a picnic table in the clearing.

Rhodfa Glyn Annell

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 2¼ miles/3.7 kilometres
• Time: 1½ hours
• Trail information: Circular trail on reasonably flat forest roads. No steps. Picnic table in clearing down grassy path at side of trail.

The longest of the waymarked trails is an easy and reasonably flat walk on forest roads.

Rhodfa Rhiw Goch

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 1½ miles/2.3 kilometres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: Circular trail with a long steady climb up forest road at start. Narrow, grassy path with roots underfoot down through trees to join forest road back to car park.

This trail follows grassy paths and forest roads as it makes its way up through a variety of trees.

The climb is rewarded by great views.

Dolaucothi Estate routes

There is a network of trails of different lengths around the nearby Dolaucothi estate.

The trails go through woodland and the grounds of the former mansion, now long-gone.

For more information about the Dolaucothi Estate go to the National Trust 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.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on this place’s location.

Caio Forest is 10 miles north west of Llandovery.

Take the A40 from Llandovery towards Llandeilo.

At Llanwrda, take the A482 towards Lampeter.

After eight miles, turn right onto a minor road to Caio.

Go through Caio village, past the church and continue onto a no through road.

Bear left onto a forest track to Caio Forest car park.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SN 679 405 (Explorer Map 187).

The postcode is SA19 8UT. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.

View this place on the What3Words website.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Llandovery.

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.