Oak Wood Path is a gentle, hillside, circular wander through the fields and woodland of a Radnorshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. This sign-posted trail is quite sheltered so is a good choice for a drizzly day but come in the sunshine to see fabulous views of the Cambrian mountains. The Byre visitor centre at Gilfach farmyard has parking, toilets, a picnic area and drinks and snacks with an honesty box. There are a number of longer walks on the site if you’re looking for more adventure.
Oak Wood Path, Gilfach
Distance: 3/4 mile
Time: around an hour
Guide
From the car park take the gravel footpath to the right, past the toilets, onto the farmyard.
There is a useful information sign here, along with the Visitor Centre and Byre; where you can find drinks and snack with an honesty box.
Follow the signpost “Oak Wood Path” to the right, along the path to the next gate.
Keep an eye out for the Oak leaves to guide you on your way…
Turning right, follow the trail along the top of the field. Take a moment to stop and look at the fantastic hills all around.
At the next Oak leaf continue down the hill, looking out for another leaf and a gate about half way down.
Follow the path up the hill to the right of the small tree; there’s an Oak leaf part way up to make sure you’re on the right track.
At the top, continue left up the hill to this gate…
.. glancing behind to to take in the view.
Follow the track into the woods…
.. bearing left at this junction.
Round a corner and straight ahead until you come to this gate on your left.
From this gate you are turning back the way you came, through the fields.
Looking out for the Oak leaves…
… and toddlers hiding in the grass (refusing to leave the long grass)!!
Next you’ll come to a gate with, if the weather’s been wet, lots of squishy mud and a fun boardwalk bridge.
Continue through the next field.
And the next…
Our adventurer had lots of fun jumping in mole hills… squishy!
This fantastic tree is just crying out to be played in, on and under and over..
Carry on up a small hill, looking out for the Oak leaves…
Through the gate and back onto an earlier track.
Heading down the slope; you might need to hang on to your adventurer here as it’s a bit narrow and steep.
Through the gate at the bottom, turn left and head back through the field to the car park.
Use this map to guide you on your way. Click to enlarge.
Click on the map below to view it on ViewRanger.
The map reference is SN 964 717.
Gilfach Nature Reserve is a Radnorshire Wildlife Trust site and they have some great information on their website including a leaflet about the site which the following directions are taken from.
Directions: 3 miles north of Rhayader and 7 miles south of Llangurig just off the A470 , signposted for St Harmon. Look out for the brown tourist signs. Drive through the nature reserve, turning right to get to the old farmyard where there is a small car park, visitor facilities and short walks.
Happy wandering,
The Beckingham Family
