Overview

Clocaenog Forest: Improving the Visitor Experience

Natural Resources Wales have received funding from RWE’s Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm project to use for recreational improvements across areas of the NRW-managed Welsh Government Woodland Estate in North East Wales. We are currently drafting plans to enhance the recreation offered in Clocaenog Forest. The project is currently at an early stage.

Help us celebrate existing wildlife, habitats and heritage

Help us to improve knowledge, awareness
and access to Clocaenog’s natural, historic
and environmental features.
Existing wildlife and habitats:

• Red squirrel
• Black grouse
• Hazel dormouse
• Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland
• Heritage features:
• Patchwork of prehistoric villages, stone circles and
• landforms
• Medieval remains of domestic and religious dwellings

Help us improve the visitor experience

The heart of the forest is the focus for enhancements. Could enhanced visitor
facilities improve your experience of the forest and its wildlife?

Help us to maintain and improve visitors’ experience by providing a safe, enjoyable, and varied environment.

Let us know:

• Which trails you use?
• Which trails you would like to use more?
• What stops or limits you from using these?
• How you prefer to get around the forest? For example: car, mountain bike cycling, horse riding, walking, running etc.

Help us improve links and trails to the lakes/reservoirs

There are currently a number of waymarked trails within the forest. Would more connecting trails to Llyn Alwen and Llyn Brenig improve your experience? Do any other key recreational sites need better links?

Help us to create better links between key recreational locations throughout the forest and to surrounding visitor experiences and attraction.

Let us know:

• Where do you mainly visit in the forest?
• What activities do you participate in?
• Where you’d like to see improved connections to another trail, car park, attraction or point of interest.

Help us improve links from Ruthin

There are a number of NRW visitor sites along the forest’s eastern edge, leading up to the town of Ruthin. Could better wayfinding or alternative routes help you
get the most out of the forest?

Help us to create better links within and to the forest as well as to surrounding visitor experiences and attractions.

Let us know:

• How do you usually travel to the forest?
• Could anything be changed to help you walk,
• cycle or run to the forest?
• What draws you to Clocaenog Forest?

Please see the attachments for visual interpretations and maps.

What are the next steps?

We will be a hosting a drop-session at Canolfan Cae Cymro Village Hall, Clawddnewydd, LL15 2ND on Monday 8^th July 2024 between 12 noon and 8 pm to give you the opportunity to have a look at draft ideas and have a say on them.

After we’ve received and digested the feedback from this consultation, we want to confirm preferred options in Autumn 2024 and start working on more detailed designs. The aim of these will be to enhance existing facilities and features in and around Clocaenog Forest.

Will there be more opportunities to have my say?

We will arrange future drop-in sessions and online information as we develop the plans, offering further opportunities to have your say. 

You can email the team directly at: landmanagementne@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk or telephone Natural Resources Wales on 0300 065 3000 and ask to speak to Glenn Williams.