Visiting Bwlch Corog
We want as many people as possible to explore and enjoy all that Bwlch Corog has to offer, connecting with nature in this evolving landscape. You are welcome to join us on volunteer work days or for events and activities that we host at Bwlch Corog.
Alternatively, you can visit at your leisure – Bwlch Corog is open access land, meaning you’re free to roam.
Please be aware that there are very few facilities – the main roundhouse building is a working building, not a visitor centre, and is usually locked.
If you haven’t visited before, please see the How To Get To Bwlch Corog section below for directions.
When you visit, there are a few things to bear in mind.
Walking routes
There are various tracks and footpaths leading from the roundhouse area up to the upland and down to the woodland. There is currently no map of these routes – but we’re working on that, and hope to have routes mapped and waymarked soon.
Livestock
Cattle and semi-wild ponies roam Bwlch Corog, and may be encountered anywhere, including in the woodland.
Animals can behave unpredictably. Please give them a wide berth, and do not feed, approach, or encourage them to approach you.
Feeding them can cause serious problems, including serious health issues and development of unwanted behaviours.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but please be mindful that cattle and ponies may pose a danger to dogs, and dogs to them. Therefore, please make sure dogs are always kept on a lead, and kept well clear of livestock. If cattle or ponies aggressively approach you and your dog, let go of the lead and allow the dog to run away.
Many birds nest on the ground at Bwlch Corog during the nesting season, which can begin as early as February and end as late as September. These nests are extremely vulnerable to dogs, so again – please keep them on a lead.
Please, please pick up after your dog. Dog faeces contains parasites harmful to grazing animals, and to humans. We regularly welcome groups of children to Bwlch Corog, so please be responsible.
Ticks and Lyme disease
Ticks may be found anywhere in rural areas, including Mid Wales. Some ticks carry Lyme disease, which can cause severe, long lasting illness. It’s recommended that you wear long trousers, tucked into your socks if possible, and check your whole body for ticks after visiting wild areas.
Toilets
There are compost toilets near the roundhouse, 100m up the main track beyond the track junction to the roundhouse. You are welcome to use these. If you do, be sure to take in the view from the window – on a clear day, we think it may be the best view from any toilet in Wales!
Please note: due to the design of this type of toilet, they are accessed by a set of steps, and therefore may not be accessible to everyone. We apologise for any difficulty this may cause.
Water
There is no drinking water available at Bwlch Corog. All water sources, including the taps, flow from areas accessible to livestock, and so are NOT safe to drink.
Camping
If you’d like to stay longer, wild camping is permitted as long as the ‘leave no trace’ principle is followed. Please visit the Camping page for more information, and to see dates when camping is restricted due to other activities.
If you have any questions about visiting, please contact us.
And if you see any staff while you’re there, please feel free to say ‘siwmae’ – we love chatting to visitors!
How to get to Bwlch Corog
Part of what makes Bwlch Corog special is its remoteness… unfortunately that also means that getting there takes some effort. We offer transport from Machynlleth to our volunteer days and most events, but here’s how to get there if you’re making your own way.
Bwlch Corog is a large area of land – these directions will take you to the roundhouse area, a central point where you can park, where the toilets are located, and where paths up to the upland and down to the woodland begin. Please leave all gates as you find them – thank you.
By Vehicle
Bwlch Corog can be found on Google Maps, Apple Maps, and other navigation apps, but simply tapping the location and navigating to it in any of these apps is almost certain to take you to the wrong place or along a very narrow, unpleasant road to drive.
Below are links to routes on Google Maps that will take you along the right road.
NOTE: these routes will only work correctly on Google Maps – not Apple Maps or any other navigation app that we know of.
Aberystwyth to Bwlch Corog: Route on Google Maps
Machynlleth to Bwlch Corog: Route on Google Maps
Note: the final 1.3 miles (2.1km) is along a steep, rough track. Most vehicles will handle this track without issue, but if your vehicle has little ground clearance (like a sports car, for example) or if you’re not comfortable driving on unpaved, narrow tracks, you may want to park somewhere off the road in/near Glaspwll hamlet and walk the rest of the way.
Written directions:
The recommended route leaves the A487 (the main road between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth) at a junction 1 mile (1.6km) southwest of Machynlleth. The junction is 500m northeast of the village of Derwenlas. It is the only junction with a signpost for Glaspwll – if you don’t see a sign for Glaspwll, you’re not at the right junction. This is the junction’s location.
Follow this road for 1.9 miles (3km), and turn right at the fork junction – the right fork is signposted for ‘Glaspwll’ and ‘Llyfnant Valley’, the left is marked as a dead end.
Continue for 100m, crossing a bridge before immediately turning left onto a track. Here, at the West Wales Bee Breeding Project, you will see the first sign for Bwlch Corog. From here, follow the pictoral directions below…
When you reach a firewood store on your right, you’ve arrived! Park along the stretch just beyond, ensuring you leave enough room for a tractor and trailer to pass. Avoid parking under the two ash trees beyond the small junction, as they are suffering from ash dieback disease.
By Bike
There are three possible road cycling routes to Bwlch Corog, detailed below.
The final 1.3 miles (2.1km) of all routes is along a rough track with steep sections. Depending on bike type, gearing and fitness level, some or all may not be rideable. It’s a tough climb by most riders’ standards.
NOTE: these routes will only work correctly on Google Maps – not Apple Maps or any other navigation app that we know of, although we hope to make routes available on the cycle.travel and Komoot apps soon.
For detailed written directions (Route 2) please see the By Vehicle section above.
Machynlleth to Bwlch Corog (Route 1): Route on Google Maps
This route follows quiet minor roads before reaching Bwlch Corog’s access track, offering views of Machynlleth and into the hills at a high point early in the ride (Wylfa).
Distance: 3.7m (6km)
Ascent: 280m
Machynlleth to Bwlch Corog (Route 2): Route on Google Maps
This route follows the driving route to Bwlch Corog, beginning with a section of cycle path next to the main road (A487) before following quiet minor roads to Bwlch Corog’s access track. This is the least challenging of the routes, with the most gradual ascent before the track.
Distance: 4.3m (6.9km)
Ascent: 234m
Glandyfi to Bwlch Corog: Route on Google Maps
This route begins at the end of the access track to Dovey Junction railway station. There is a 500m section of main road (A487) – a straight, fast section which can be uncomfortable to cycle for less confident riders. After that, the route follows the quiet, narrow Llyfnant valley road, passing through an excellent example of Celtic/temperate rainforest.
Distance: 4.2m (6.8km)
Ascent: 239m
By Public Transport
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to get very close to Bwlch Corog by public transport – the nearest you can get is to Machynlleth or Dovey Junction stations by train, or to Derwenlas, Morben Isaf caravan park, Glandyfi or Eglwysfach by bus. A walk from any of these locations to Bwlch Corog is around 4-5 miles – see the On Foot section below for guidance.
For train times and tickets: tfw.wales/plan-a-journey
For bus times: www.traveline.cymru
On Foot
If arriving in the area by public transport (see above section), there are many ways to walk to Bwlch Corog, though all are around 4 miles or more. The simplest, in terms of navigation, would be to follow minor roads from Machynlleth (if arriving by train or bus) or from Derwenlas (if arriving by bus).
From Machynlleth station: Route on Google Maps
Distance: 4.4m (7.1km)
Ascent: 285m
From Derwenlas: Route on Google Maps
Distance: 3.9m (6.3km)
Ascent: 234m
There are many other possible walking routes, via public footpaths and/or open access land from Machynlleth, Derwenlas, Morben Isaf caravan park, Glandyfi, or Eglwysfach. There are too many possibilities to describe here – an Ordnance Survey map (Explorer OL23) or the OS Maps website or mobile app (paid subscription required to see footpaths in detail, unfortunately) would be the best way to plan and navigate a route.
After arriving at Glaspwll, turn left beside the West Wales Bee Breeding Project. Follow the track for one mile
At the fork bear right
At the cottages follow the hairpin bend to the right
Go through the gate and continue up the track for 350m