If you’re looking for a beautiful forest walk in Pembrokeshire, this is it. Pengelli Forest is a glorious ancient wood that you can access via a variety of easy walking trails. The dense forest canopy is not just incredibly picturesque, it gives lots of shelter from the elements, so this is a great walk for one of those windy days when you want to avoid the exposed coastline.
Despite the beauty of the woods, it’s a quiet and peaceful place, perfect for escaping the crowds and really feeling in tune with nature.
In this guide we’ll take you through a gorgeous circular walk that showcases the best of the forest.
Pengelli Forest circular walk
The stats
Distance: 2.9 miles (4.6km) circuit
Elevation gain: 155m
Difficulty: Easy
The walk around Pengelli Forest does have a few uphill sections, but it’s never very steep or prolonged. The terrain depends on the route you take. There is a wide stony path that has woodland on either side of it, but it doesn’t really feel like you are actually inside the forest.
There are a series of narrow and more rustic paths that will take you through the wood and properly under the forest canopy. These paths are not difficult, but they can be muddy after rain, and there is the odd fallen tree over the track (which are easy to climb over).
There are a few wooden boardwalks that take you over waterlogged patches of track, which are not in the best condition and can be wobbly. However the pay off is the walk is much more impressive when you truly feel immersed in the forest.
It’s worth noting that the trails intersect several times, so if you start on the narrow track and would prefer the smoother path, you can join it at various points.
The tracks are signposted, but not with words, only arrows, and are not always easy to follow. We have detailed directions below to help you stay on track.
We chose to do one of the longer loops, but there are also shorter options, which you can see on the map below.
Starting the trail
From the parking area (details below), you head straight into the forest and will be met with three possible trails. We took the wide gravel path on the right, but if we did it again we’d go for the narrow middle option.
The path on the right is basically a wide stony trail taking you alongside, but not into, the forest. We realised this wasn’t what we were looking for, so we cut onto the narrow tracks further along the walk (1.5km in).
However, it would be nicer to go into the dense forest from the off, which is what the middle track offers.
If you’d prefer a mix of trails, or the smooth path, then go for the right. If you want to follow our route (with a mix of smooth and rustic paths) we took the right track and turned right again after 100m.
The path heads gradually downhill and is still pretty, it just doesn’t give you that properly into the woods feel.
After 750m we saw a path on the left which is where the middle trail would have taken us. We had a little scout and it was just beautiful. You’re fully surrounded by green and it has a wonderful wild vibe.
Checking out the narrow path
Through the forest
We continued along the main track we’d been following which began heading gently uphill. After 350m (1.1km into the walk) we came to a clearing with lots of wood piles. The trail heads right here.
After a further 400m we saw another of the narrow trails cutting into the woods themselves (on the right) and we decided to follow it.
This was a great decision because though the wide path is pretty, the trails through the middle of the woods were just stunning.
They aren’t manicured, so they have a more rustic feel, and give you that feeling of being properly out in nature.
The track undulates a little, but it’s never hard or steep. We were walking after a lot of rain and there were a few muddy patches, but nothing significant (that came later).
There were a few nods to autumn with leaves on the ground, but mainly it was a sea of green and there was a real air of tranquility.
We followed this woodland track for the next 750m before it popped out at another clearing.
Things get more rustic
At the clearing you’ll make a right (you can’t go wrong because the left route is barred off) and follow the wide stony path again for another 350m.
You’ll then see a trail leading back into the woods on the right. If you don’t mind some mud (after rain) and a few wobbly boardwalks, take it.
If it has been wet, you’ll quickly be met with a sizeable section of mud. You can semi navigate around it, but not fully, so don’t wear any shoes you want to keep clean!
There’s also a couple of trees down over the track, but they are narrow and low, so climbing over them is easy enough.
The conditions might be less favourable along this stretch, but the scenery more than makes up for it.
After roughly 450m you’ll come to the first of the wobbly boardwalks. It is low to the ground, so there’s no chance of falling any distance, but it does tilt rather alarmingly if you’re not prepared for it!
There’s another one further along, but it’s significantly less wobbly!
Keep right after the boardwalk and then right at the next junction, following the green arrow. The trail improves a lot after this first section and there wasn’t really any other muddy sections to worry about.
Roughly 400m later (3.7km into the walk), beside the wooden fence, you keep left. Just 200m later you’ll see a red arrow and follow it right.
Completing the circuit
You’ll soon reach my favourite section of the whole walk. A beautiful fern gully! Bracken lines the path and there’s a little stream and tall trees.
Moss covered logs beside the trail sprouted orange fungi and the whole scene was just beautiful.
The dirt path takes you gently uphill through the forest and though the ferny wonderland doesn’t last long, it’s the bit I always picture when I think about this walk.
After 300m of gradual uphill you’ll reach a junction (4.2km into the trail). You can opt to lengthen the walk if you head left, which will meet up with the shorter loop further down the track.
We opted for the shorter version and kept right. You’ll head left 100m later and then right to follow the wide path back to the car park, which is now just 300m away.
If you love this walk and you want to see more ancient woodland, the nearby Ty Canol Woods is another absolutely spectacular ancient forest.
Parking for the Pengelli Forest circuit
There isn’t a car park for the walk as such, but there is room at the side of the road for several cars to park, right by the trailhead. The trailhead can be found on an unnamed road off the A487, postcode SA41 3UR and co-ordinates 52.0228404, -4.7376019.
The road to reach the trailhead is narrow, but no more so than the majority of rural Welsh roads! You do have to cross a ford which could flood after very heavy rain. We visited after several days of very wet weather and the level was still low and it was easy to cross in our tiny car.
There are no facilities at the trailhead, or along the way (including toilets) so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
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