Clocaenog Forest - Bod Petryal, near Ruthin

Welcome

Bod Petryal is one of several car parks in Clocaenog Forest, a huge area of woodland, open moorland and rivers.

This peaceful lakeside picnic site has a short walk and a cycle trail and makes an ideal starting point to get a taste of the forest.

Bod Petryal means "rectangular dwelling" in Welsh and it is named after the old gamekeeper’s cottage, which was part of the Pool Park Estate.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Keeper’s Stroll

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: ½ mile/1 kilometre 
• Time: 30 minutes

This short walk goes past huge trees, the old gamekeeper’s cottage and the beautiful lake.

Animal Discovery Trail

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: ½ mile/1 kilometre 
• Time: 20 minutes

The Animal Discovery Trail sets off on the same route as the Keeper’s Stroll.

The Animal Discovery Trail leaflet gives clues to help children find the hidden animals in the woods - you can download a leaflet from the bottom of this page.

Multi-user trail

All our mountain bike trails are waymarked from start to finish and have been graded for difficulty.

At the start of the trail there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.

• Find out about mountain bike trail grades.
• For a list of our mountain bike trails and information to plan your ride, go to mountain biking.
• For more information about mountain biking in Wales, go to the Mountain Bike Wales website.

Bod Petryal Trot

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 2 miles/3.3 kilometres 
• Time: 1 hour on horse, 1¼ hours walking, 20 minute cycle
• Trail information: This trail may be used by cyclists and horseriders as well as walkers.

This route meanders through the forest on forest roads and is suitable for the whole family.

Keep an eye out for woodpeckers whilst you’re having your picnic by the lake.

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 Bod Petryal, waymarked trails start from several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Clocaenog Forest:

• 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
• Rhyd y Gaseg - short woodland walk to waterfall

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.

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 forest operations

• Occasionally 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 onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place

How to get here

Location

Bod Petryal is 8 miles south west of Ruthin.

It is in the county of Denbighshire.

© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey 100019741

Ordnance Survey (OS) map

Bod Petryal is on OS Explorer 264.

The OS grid reference is SJ 036 512.

Directions

Take the B5105 from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion.

Go through the village of Clawddnewydd and, shortly after passing the Boncyn Foel Bach car park, the Bod Petryal car park is on the left.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Buckley.

There is a bus stop at the car park entrance.

For details of public transport visit 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.