Nercwys Forest Circular
Flintshire
Nercwys Forest is a working conifer and broadleaf woodland on high ground south of Mold, with two small car parks at its north and south ends and a network of hard forest tracks that climb through the trees to open, elevated ground. There is no livestock here, and the forest has off lead areas where a dog can run free on the hard, well drained tracks. The walking here is a moderate, hilly circuit of around 4km, with enough climbing to raise a sweat but nothing technical underfoot, and a clearing near the top gives views out over the surrounding Flintshire countryside. The forest sits close to the Clwydian Range, and the paths are wide enough for two to walk side by side, making it a straightforward route to follow without a map.
This is a dog friendly forest with off-lead areas and no livestock within the trees, so a dog with reasonable recall can have a good run through the woodland on the way round. The hard, well drained paths make it a reliable option even after wet weather, and poop bins are provided at both car parks. There is no water source directly on the route, so bring some for a dog on a warm day, and there is no cafe on site, with Mold a short drive away for food afterwards. The forest is a popular, low-key local dog walking spot rather than a destination with visitor facilities, which keeps it quiet outside weekends.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Poop bins at both car parks; no cafe, toilets or water on site.
- Parking
- Small free car parks at the north and south ends of Nercwys Forest.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Nercwys Forest Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Bwthyn Y Baedd - Boar Cottage
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £796 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in FlintshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Nercwys Forest Circular dog friendly?
Nercwys Forest scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a well-established local spot for dog walkers. There's no livestock within the trees, the paths are hard and well drained so they hold up well in wet weather, and poop bins are provided at both car parks.
Can dogs be off lead at Nercwys Forest Circular?
Yes — there are designated off-lead areas within the forest, and the wide, hard-surfaced tracks give dogs plenty of room to stretch their legs. With no livestock on the route, a dog with reasonable recall can enjoy a good run through the woodland on the way round.
What should I know before visiting Nercwys Forest Circular with my dog?
There's no water source on the route, so bring your own for your dog, especially on warmer days. There's also no cafe or toilets on site — Mold is a short drive away if you want to grab food afterwards. Parking is free at the small car parks at both the north and south ends of the forest.
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Nercwys Forest Car Park, Ffordd Cae Newydd, Nercwys, Mold, Flintshire CH7 4EN
53.1247, -3.1696
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