Hafren Forest | Walking Trails at Hafren Forest (NRW)

From the car park walk through the wooden archway consisting of a pair of axes, their heads embedded in a block of wood. One is modelled on a stone axe, to represent the ancient history of the area, and the other a modern axe, representing the forest of today.

THE CASCADES TRAIL (0.5 miles, 0.8 kilometres) | Grade: Accessible
The path leads down to the Afon Hafren, with a boardwalk carrying you along the river bank. It leads to the Cascades Falls, which gives its name to this walk. A raised platform allows you to sit and take in the view. A deep pool forms part of the Falls which was used by generations of shepherds for washing their sheep.

On the far bank the remnants of their pens are still just visible. From here the Cascades trail moves away from the riverbank back through the woodland to the car park. The walk was designed in partnership with local Disabled Associations. It is easy to follow, its surface making it ideal for all ages and abilities.

BLAENHAFREN FALLS TRAIL (3½ miles, 6 kilometres) | Grade: Moderate
This trail is a scenic route through the heart of the forest which follows the side of the River Severn all the way to Blaenhafren Falls.

THE SEVERN BREAK ITS NECK TRAIL (1½ miles, 2.8 kilometres) | Grade: Moderate
Follow the start of the Cascades Trail to the boardwalk and turn left along the river bank. Pass the footbridge on your right and continue up to a meadow picnic area. The path follows the river and passes through highly scented woodlands of Noble Fir. From the Severn-Break-its-Neck bridge you can look into the yawning gully down which the Severn thunders in its first true waterfall.

SOURCE OF THE SEVERN TRAIL (8 miles, 12.8 kilometres) | Grade: Strenuous
The Source of the Severn Trail leads through the forest onto a stone path through boggy moorland to the Severn’s source which is marked by a wooden post at an altitude of 620 metres (2034 feet).

The return leg passes a waterfall and the remains of a Bronze Age copper mine.

OS Grid Reference: SN 857 869.

OTHER ROUTES IN HAFREN FOREST:

WYE VALLEY WALK: A 136 mile long distance walk along the River Wye to Chepstow. Hafren Forest is the start (or end) point for this linear walk. See the Wye Valley Walk.

THE SEVERN WAY: A 210 mile long distance walk to Bristol. Hafren Forest is the start (or end) point for this linear route which is the longest riverside walk in Britain.

GLYNDWR'S WAY: Small sections of Glyndŵr’s Way, a National Trail, pass through the eastern edge of Hafren Forest.

SARN SABRINA: A 25 mile circular waymarked walk, part of which passes through Hafren Forest. The route is named after the Celtic myth of Sabrina, a water nymph said to inhabit the waters of the River Severn.

SUSTRANS CYCLE ROUTE: The Sustrans cycle route 8 is a signposted route between Cardiff and Holyhead. It passes through Hafren Forest along the road maintained by Powys County Council.