Horse riding

Horse riding in our woodlands

There are waymarked horse riding trails and facilities for horse riders in some of the woodlands and car parks managed by Natural Resources Wales.

Many of the horse riding trails have been developed in partnership with local associations.

Horse riding is also permitted on bridleways and all byways.

Horse drawn carriages are permitted on restricted byways and byways open to all traffic.

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre

There is a waymarked horse riding trail from the visitor centre car park.

It follows a circular route taking in a mixture of forest roads, public roads and trails.

For more information go to Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre.

Black Covert, near Aberystwyth

Birch Grove Horseride is a waymarked trail from the car park.

Enjoy a variety of surfaces, woodlands and open areas and take in distant views beyond the woodland.

For more information go to Black Covert

Clocaenog Forest

The Bod Petryal Trot is a multi-user trail which can be used by horseriders, as well as walkers and cyclists.

It starts from the Natural Resources Wales car park at Bod Petryal in Clocaenog Forest.

For more information go to Clocaenog Forest - Bod Petryal.

Coed Nercwys

The Nercwys Cycle Trail can be used by horseriders, walkers and cyclists.

It is is waymarked so that horseriders and cyclists follow the route in a different direction to walkers.

For more information go to Coed Nercwys.

Crychan Forest

The four Natural Resources Wales car parks in Crychan Forest are the starting point for many miles of horse riding on forest roads and old tracks.

There are also shortcuts onto the Epynt Way, a 50 mile long bridleway around the boundary of the Sennybridge military training area.

Facilities for horse riders at our car parks here include corrals and tethering rails.

The car parks at Halfway and Brynffo are the most suitable for horse boxes and there is access for carriage drivers at Brynffo car park.

The Crychan Forest Association works with Natural Resources Wales to promote access to Crychan Forest for horse riders and other users.

More information

Follow the links below to find out more about our car parks in Crychan Forest:

• Brynffo
• Cefn Farm
• Esgair Fwyog
• Halfway

For more information about horse riding in Crychan Forest, go to the Crychan Forest Association website.

Dyfnant Forest

Two of the Natural Resources Wales car parks in Dyfnant Forest are the starting point for the Rainbow horse riding trails.

The Pen y Ffordd car park has ample parking for horse trailers and cars and a corral.

The Hendre car park has a large turning circle, corrals and hitching rails.

The Rainbow Trails in Dyfnant Forest were developed in partnership with the Dyfnant and Vyrnwy Horse Riders and Carriage Drivers Association.

More information

Follow the links below to find out more about our car parks in Dyfnant Forest:

• Hendre
• Pen y Ffordd

For more information about horse riding in Dyfnant Forest go to the Rainbow Trails website.

Newborough Forest

There are two waymarked horse riding trails in Newborough Forest.

The trails start from the Pen Cob car park.

Please note you need a permit from Natural Resources Wales to horse ride in Newborough Forest.

For more information go to Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest.

Pembrey Forest

The horse riding trails in Pembrey Forest are managed by Pembrey Conservation Trust.

You need a permit to horse ride in Pembrey Forest.

For more information go to Pembrey Forest.

Horse riding trail closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations or for other reasons such as bad weather.

We add details about trail closures and diversions to the relevant woodland or visitor centre web page.

We also put signs about closures and any diversions at the start of each trail.

Please follow all diversion signs and instructions from our staff on site for your own safety.

Public rights of way

There are public rights of way in many of our woodlands and reserves.

You can ride on these categories of public right of way:

• Public bridleways
• Restricted byways
• Byways open to all traffic

Find out more about public rights of way.

Permission for events

You may need to apply for permission before organising activities or events on the land managed by Natural Resources Wales.

Find out more about organising an activity or event.