Clocaenog Forest – Pool Park, near Ruthin

Welcome

Pool Park 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 waymarked walking trail, ideal for breaking a journey to stretch your legs or for a quick stroll with your dog.

There are several public footpaths nearby if you have a map with you and fancy a longer walk.

It is named after the former huge Pool Park Estate, which was owned by the Bagot family.

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.

Pool Park Walk

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: ¾ mile/1.2 kilometres
• Time: 30 minutes

This short trail follows a stream then climbs gently as it winds its way through the woodland.

Look out for the huge Douglas fir trees which thrive here and patches of bluebells in spring.

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 Pool Park, 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
• 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

Pool Park is 2 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

Pool Park is on OS Explorer 279, 293 or 294.

The OS grid reference for the car park is SJ 101 560.

Directions

Take the B5105 from Ruthin towards Clawddnewydd.

After 1½ miles the car park is on the right.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Buckley.

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.