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View of an earthy woodland path at Dolaucothi, surrounded by trees in bright green leaf in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
Woodland paths at Dolaucothi in summer, Carmarthernshire | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
Wales

Dolaucothi Woodland trail

This moderate circular walk following the blue waymarks climbs through beautiful Carmarthenshire woodland, where you may be lucky to spot wildlife including badgers and woodpeckers. From the Roman gold mines at Dolaucothi to the Pumsaint stone and the walled garden of the former mansion, the trail is rich in history too.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

Dolaucothi Woodland National Trust car park, grid ref: SN662403

Step 1

Start at the Woodland car park (opposite the Gold Mines car park). At the far end of the car park follow the footpath.

Step 2

As you cross the wooden bridge turn right, keeping the River Cothi on your right.

Step 3

Turn left off the track through a small gate, and follow the wall of the old Walled Garden. Head across the field and continue through the trees following the blue markers.

View of green parkland with large trees in leaf
Lime trees in the parkland on the Dolaucothi estate. | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Step 4

Cross the forestry road and go into the field, then head uphill towards the woodland.

Step 5

At the fork in the paths, take the left track heading uphill on the edge of the woodland.

Step 6

Turn right, heading uphill. (Another option is to continue straight along the fence boundary, rejoining the trail at Step 8, shown in the lower trail on the map.)

Step 7

Continue to follow the blue waymarks along the woodland tracks. Keep an eye and ear out for the abundant woodland wildlife.

Step 8

Make your way out of the trees, cross the forestry road and continue down the field towards the village of Pumsaint. Please note this section can get very muddy in winter. (As an alternative, avoiding the village and the road, you can turn left onto the forestry road and continue straight to reach Step 6, where you can retrace your steps to the car park.)

Step 9

Exit the fields into the village car park. Here you will find the Old Coach House with information and toilets. At the road, turn left and carefully join the pavement alongside the road as it crosses the river. At the road sign for Dolaucothi Gold Mines, fork left down the lane and walk back to the car park.

A stone coach house building with arched doorways framed by red wooden shutter doors
The visitor centre near Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Carmarthenshire | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

End point

Dolaucothi Woodland National Trust car park, grid ref: SN662403

Trail map

Ordnance Survey map of the Dolaucothi Woodland trail in Carmarthenshire, Wales
Map of the Dolaucothi Woodland trail, Carmarthenshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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