Garwnant
This walk visits the Coed Taf Fawr and a series reservoirs near Merthyr Tydfil. The visitor centre here is considered the southern gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park. There are lots of good walking paths and mountain bike trails to try here.
The walk starts from the car park and visitor centre located at the northern end of Llwyn-on Reservoir. From here you can pick up the waymarked Taff Trail andf follow it north along the river to Cantref Reservoir. The walk then continues north to visit the pretty Beacons Reservoir.
You then turn south to return to the forest where you pick up other woodland trails to take you back to the visitor centre.
There's also a number of other waymarked paths in the forest including the Willow Walk all ability trail and a sculpture trail with wonderful wooden carvings.
The waymarked mountain biking trails have different grading levels for varying abilities. All the trails start from the car park.
Postcode
CF48 2HU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Garwnant Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Garwnant Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Garwnant OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Garwnant Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
There's a good on site cafe in the forest, where you can enjoy refreshments after your exercise. It serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, lunches and daily specials. There's an outdoor area to relax in if the weather is fine.
Dog Walking
The expansive forest is a great place to bring your dog for a walk. On a fine day you're sure to see plenty of other owners with their pets. The cafe mentioned above is also dog friendly and may provide a free biscuit.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just to the south of the woods there's a nice circular trail around the pretty Llwyn-on Reservoir.
To the east you'll find Pontsticill Reservoir and Pentwyn Reservoir. Near here there's also some fine woodland trails in the Taf Fechan Forest and more waterside walks along the Upper and Lower Neuadd Reservoirs.
You could also head into Merthyr Tydfil to enjoy walks along the River Taff and visit the Grade I listed Cyfarthfa Castle and gardens.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
One of the ubiquitous signs announcing then entrance to some Forestry Commission Wales woodland. Called Coed Taf Fawr on the maps but Garwnant on the signs.
On the edge of Coed Taf Fawr Felling had just commenced in the distant block of conifers.
Across the moor to Coed Taf Fawr The vestiges of a track can just about be made out under the tussocky grass. This is an area largely left to the occasional sheep and hill pony though they prefer the drier margins of the road which cuts the moor to the west - often with unfortunate consequences for them with their poor road sense.
Garwnant Fawr. The stream gathers water from the great bowl that is Pant y Wern and delivers it down through the forest (seen in the distance) to the Taf Fawr in Cwm Taf. These water gathering grounds are very boggy and very tussocky and cannot be recommended to any traveller.
Visitor information building at Garwnant Visitor Centre
Garwnant Forest. The high peaks of the central Beacons are seen over the tops of the conifers at Garwnant.