Irfon Forest: Cwm Irfon Trail from White Bridge
Powys
Irfon Forest lies in a remote valley on the edge of the Cambrian Mountains, three miles north west of Llanwrtyd Wells, where the Afon Irfon tumbles down towards the Wye. White Bridge is the main Natural Resources Wales car park, and the Cwm Irfon Trail, a favourite with dogs off lead by the river, is the longer of its two waymarked walks, a 2.1km circuit that NRW grades moderate and times at an hour. It follows a stone-surfaced riverside path through a mix of woodland, with big Sitka spruce trees with crusty plate bark, then leaves the river where the hard surface ends and climbs a stony track to a forest road, returning with views over the valley and surrounding hills. There is a bench by the river. On the drive up, look for the Pwll Golchi sign by the cascades, the pool where farmers once washed their sheep before shearing.
This is a lovely short dog friendly walk, with the river alongside for the first half and plenty of places for a drink or a paddle in the shallows. There is no grazing in the forest, so a dog with good recall can enjoy real off-lead freedom, though forestry vehicles can use the forest road and the minor road to Abergwesyn carries some traffic. The trees give good shade in summer. The riverside picnic area is next to the free car park, but there are no toilets or cafe, and Llanwrtyd Wells is the nearest town for both.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.1 km (1.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 50 min
- Walk Type
- River, Forest
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Riverside picnic area at the car park; no toilets or cafe. Facilities in Llanwrtyd Wells.
- Parking
- White Bridge car park, Natural Resources Wales, free, no overnight parking.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Irfon Forest: Cwm Irfon Trail from White Bridge, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Abercamlais Estate - Dovecote Cottage
Sleeps 6 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £710 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in PowysFrequently Asked Questions
Is Irfon Forest: Cwm Irfon Trail from White Bridge dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The river runs beside the path for much of the loop, the forest gives shade, and there is no livestock grazing in the woods, so dogs can have a proper sniff and a paddle. It is held back only by its length, at just over 2km, and the lack of any facilities at the car park.
Can dogs be off lead at Irfon Forest: Cwm Irfon Trail from White Bridge?
Yes, for most of it. The riverside path and forest road run through woodland with no grazing animals, so a dog with reliable recall can be off lead. Put the lead back on near the car park and the minor road, and whenever forestry vehicles are working, as the forest road is used for timber operations. Keep an eye on your dog in the river after heavy rain.
What should I know before visiting Irfon Forest: Cwm Irfon Trail from White Bridge with my dog?
The loop is short but has a stony climb from the river to the forest road, and loose stone in places underfoot. White Bridge car park is free, with a riverside picnic area, but there are no toilets. For a longer outing you can add the Pwll Bo picnic site half a mile up the road, or the Pwll Golchi washpool cascades, which you pass on the drive in.
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