Coed Moel Famau, near Mold

What's here

Please be aware that there is scaffolding erected around the outside of the public toilet facilities at Coed Moel Famau as we carry out planned essential building maintenance. Whilst we envisage no restrictions for the use of the toilet facilities we politely ask that visitors obey all signage.

Welcome

Coed Moel Famau offers an ideal family day out.

There is a range of walking trails of different lengths, a blue grade mountain bike trail and children's play areas.

A walking trail to the top of Moel Famau and the ruins of the Jubilee Tower sets off from the car park. The Jubilee Tower was built in 1810 for the golden jubilee of King George III and the ruins can be seen for miles around.

The play areas are dotted around the woodland near to the car park and younger visitors can also follow the Forest Tracker Trail.

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.

Accessible Trail

  • Grade: Accessible
  • Distance: ¼ mile/0.4 kilometres
  • Time: 20 minutes​

This short trail goes through the woodland and alongside a stream.

Forest Tracker Trail 

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 1¼ miles/1.8 kilometres 
  • Time: 1½ hours

Pick up a leaflet from the car park and follow this short level trail to find out about animals that live in the woodland.

Guess which track print belongs to which woodland animal and then try to spot the animal sculptures hidden in the trees.

Larches Loop

  • Grade: Easy
  • Distance: 1½ miles/2.4 kilometres
  • Time: 1 hour

This easy walk goes through the woodland to a viewpoint.

Jubilee Tower Circular

  • Grade: Moderate
  • Distance: 3½ miles/5.8 kilometres
  • Time: 2½ hours

This trail climbs steeply but steadily through the forest to the Jubilee Tower which sits at the top of Moel Famau.

At 554 metres (1,818 feet), Moel Famau is the highest summit in the Clwydian Range and there are views across North Wales and towards North West England from here.

The trail returns through open countryside along the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail.

Couple walking towards Jubliee Tower

Ffrith Mountain Circular 

  • Grade: Strenuous
  • Distance: 7½ miles/12.3 kilometres
  • Time: 5 hours
  • Trail information: This trail may also be used by mountain bikers and part of it follows a public bridleway - please be aware of other people using this route.

This waymarked trail meanders through the forest, climbing steadily to a high point at the edge of the trees with spectacular views over Merseyside and beyond.

Mountain bike 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.

Ffrith Mountain Circular

  • Grade: Blue/Moderate
  • Distance: 12.3 kilometres
  • Climb: 120 metres
  • Time: 2-3½ hours
  • Trail information: This trail may also be used by walkers and part of it follows a public bridleway - please be aware of other people using this route.

This ride meanders its way through the forest of Moel Famau, climbing steadily to a high point at the edge of the trees with spectacular views over Merseyside and beyond.

A terrific descent is followed by more bridleway and a fun stream crossing (don't get your feet wet!) before re-entering the forest.

A grind up the forest road climb leads to a fast finish back to the car park.

Children’s play areas 

The play areas are dotted around the woodland to encourage children to explore.

They can:

  • climb inside the giant Sleepy Cedar
  • crawl through the Giant Hawk’s Nest
  • swing inside the Bird Cradle
  • splash and paddle in the Stones Flow
  • tiptoe across the Wobbly Bridge

These features are made from natural materials which blend into the woodland environment.

The play areas are close to the car park and are suitable for children aged 2 to 14 years.

Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail

The Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail crosses the summit of Moel Famau - look out for the distinctive acorn waymarker posts.

Find out more about National Trails in Wales.

Loggerheads Country Park

Find out more about the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB at the visitor centre in Loggerheads Country Park. 

There are paths around the country park and to the hills and valleys beyond and there is also a café.

You can walk from Coed Moel Famau car park to Loggerheads Country Park on the Loggerheads Link (2¾ miles/4.3 kilometres each way). This route is not waymarked and you are advised to take a map.

Loggerheads Country Park is run by Denbighshire County Council and there is a charge for parking.

For more information go to the Loggerheads Country Park website.

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Coed Moel Famau is situated in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Clwydian Range is a chain of purple heather-clad summits topped by hillforts; Moel Famau is the highest summit in the range.

The Dee Valley lies beyond these windswept hills and is home to the historic towns of Llangollen and Corwen.

For more information about visiting the AONB go to the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley website.

Accessibility information

Facilities at Coed Moel Famau include:

  • accessible trail
  • parking for blue badge holders
  • accessible toilets

Opening times

Please check the top of this page for any changes to these opening times.

The toilets in Coed Moel Famau car park are open from 8am to 6pm (October to March) and from 8am to 9pm (April to September).

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

Coed Moel Famau is 5 miles south west of Mold.

This site straddles the county borders of Denbighshire and Flintshire.

© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey 100019741

Ordnance Survey (OS) map

Coed Moel Famau is on OS Explorer 265.

The OS grid reference is SJ 170 610.

Directions

Take the A494 from Mold towards Ruthin.

After the entrance to Loggerheads Country Park, turn right following the brown and white sign to Moel Famau Country Park.

After one mile, the Coed Moel Famau car park is on the right.

Public transport

The nearest train station is in Buckley.

For details of public transport visit Traveline Cymru's website.

Parking

There is an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) parking payment system in the car park.

The ANPR system reads your number plate at the entrance barrier and you do not need to buy a ticket on arrival.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Parking charges

You are charged for the length of time you park:

  • £2 for 3 hours
  • 40p for every additional 30 minutes
  • £5 maximum charge per day

When you are ready to leave:

  • pay the charge at the exit barrier by card or contactless as you drive out
  • or enter your registration number at the pay station in the car park and pay by card or contactless - the exit barrier will then lift automatically as you drive out

Please note that payment for parking can only be made by card or contactless.

If you're dropping someone off, you have 20 minutes from the time you enter the car park to the time you get to the exit barrier before you’ll be charged.

Season ticket

You can buy a season ticket for parking at Coed Moel Famau and some of the other car parks in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

To buy a season ticket, go to the visitor centre at Loggerheads Country Park or email loggerheads.countrypark@denbighshire.gov.uk

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.

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