Mid Wales is the rural heartland of Wales.

It embraces the rivers, lakes and mountains of Powys, the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Cardigan Bay coastline, the Cambrian Mountains and the foothills of Snowdonia.



National Resources Wales, which manages the woodland trails and National Nature Reserves in Mid Wales have remained open over the most recent lockdown period.

Natural Resources Wales is urging visitors to adhere to the Countryside Code and follow six steps to ensure their return to the great Welsh outdoors is a safe and enjoyable experience.

Among the visitor attractions :

  • the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Aberystwyth, has red kite feeding every day, easy walking trails, including one suitable for pushchairs, a new off-road cycle trail and a takeaway service from the cafĂ©
  • Tan y Coed woodland in Dyfi Forest, near Machynlleth offers an easy to find picnic site with two short woodland walks with an animal discovery trail with animal models hidden in the trees
  • Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes has walks including to the source of the River Severn
  • Cors Caron National Nature Reserve, near Dolgellau, has a mountain bike centre with trails for all abilities as well as walks and picnic sites
  • Tregaron has a wheelchair accessible boardwalk over a vast raised bog and Hafren Forest's waterfall walks include a wheelchair accessible boardwalk to a viewing area over cascades
  • Hafod Estate, near Aberystwyth has a historic landscape with a range of walks taking in dramatic waterfalls and views
  • the Foel Friog picnic site in Dyfi Forest, near Machynlleth, is the starting point for a short but steep walk with views over the Dyfi valley and estuary
  • Pont Llogel in Dyfnant Forest has an easy riverside stroll through woodland and is in a hamlet not far from Lake Vyrnwy
  • The Arch, near Aberystwyth provides walks through huge beech trees with views over hills
  • Radnor Forest, near Knighton has a woodland walk with valley views, and
  • the Dyfi National Nature Reserve, near Aberystwyth has displays of spring flowers in the dunes and is a habitat for the common lizard, sand lizard, adder and grass snake.

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