Near Llanidloes, Powys, Wales (SY23 3LE).
Hafren Forest
Forest recreation landscape
Place photograph
6.5
Wildland
1–2 hours, Half day, Full day
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.5Follow the young River Severn from its peat-bog source country into a forest of boardwalks, cascades and waterfalls. Short waymarked trails lead to the river and the striking Severn-Break-its-Neck waterfall; longer routes head towards the Severn’s source on Pumlumon.
Hafren’s appeal is the close-up journey of a river gathering force: from wooded cascades beside an accessible boardwalk to the waterfall trails and, for a longer outing, the high ground where the Severn begins. The range of waymarked walks makes this working forest more than a drive-through landscape.
Peaceful · Wild · Dramatic
Find your way
Open mapNear Llanidloes, Powys, Wales (SY23 3LE).
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The experience
Choose a short accessible riverside circuit to the cascades, extend your visit to the Severn-Break-its-Neck waterfall, or plan a longer walk towards the river’s source on Pumlumon. Trails are waymarked from Rhyd-y-benwch car park.
Things to do
Walk the Cascades Walk
Follow the accessible, waymarked 0.9 km trail from Rhyd-y-benwch to a boardwalk beside the river and a raised viewing platform over the cascades; return on a wide surfaced forest path.
30 minutes
Visit Severn-Break-its-Neck waterfall
Take the 2.3 km waymarked trail from the car park. The route follows the river, crosses a meadow boardwalk and reaches the waterfall via steep, narrow steps; the return includes a short, steep climb.
About 1 hour
Walk towards the Severn’s source
The longest route heads towards the source of the River Severn in a peat bog on the slopes of Pumlumon, just outside the forest boundary. Check route details and conditions before attempting this longer walk.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 30 minutes; 0.9 km
Quick Escape: Riverside cascades
- 01
Start at Rhyd-y-benwch car park and follow the waymarked Cascades Walk.
- 02
Take the sloping path to the riverside boardwalk and cascades viewing platform.
- 03
Return through the forest on the wide surfaced path.
Half day · Allow a few hours; individual trail times vary
Make a Half Day of It: Waterfall trails
- 01
Begin at Rhyd-y-benwch and check the trail information panel.
- 02
Walk the Cascades Walk, then choose a longer waymarked route such as the Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail.
- 03
Follow the route to the waterfall, taking particular care on the steep narrow steps and steep climb.
- 04
Return to the car park and use the picnic area if it suits your plans.
Verified history
Hafren Forest was planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1930s. Its name comes from Afon Hafren, the Welsh name for the River Severn. The river rises in a peat bog on Pumlumon’s slopes and flows through the forest as a fast-moving stream with falls and cascades.
Hidden details
The river’s upland beginning — The Severn’s source is in a peat bog on the slopes of Pumlumon, beyond the forest boundary. The longest forest route heads towards it.
A trail that changes character — On the Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail, notice the sequence of level riverside path, meadow boardwalk, stoned path, steep waterfall steps and forest road on the return.
When to go
· Choose a quieter period if possible; Natural Resources Wales warns that visitor numbers can be very high. No specific best time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The official source describes waymarked trails and waterfalls but does not identify a best season. Rain may affect water levels and path conditions; check before visiting.
Paths and steps may be wet or slippery. Check current trail conditions, particularly after poor weather, and take care on steep sections.
The route
- surface
- Cascades Walk: sloping path, boardwalk and wide surfaced path. Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail: level riverside path, meadow boardwalk, stoned path, steps and forest road.
- distance
- Cascades Walk: 0.9 km. Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail: 2.3 km. Longer route to the Severn’s source: distance not supplied.
- duration
- Cascades Walk: 30 minutes. Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail: 1 hour. Longer route: not supplied.
- difficulty
- Cascades Walk: accessible grade. Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail: moderate, with steep narrow steps and a short steep climb. Longer route difficulty not supplied.
- waymarking
- Trails are waymarked from start to finish; an information panel is at the main car park.
- route shape
- Cascades Walk returns to the car park. Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail returns to the car park. Exact route shapes not specified.
- start point
- Rhyd-y-benwch main car park.
- parking start
- Free car park at Rhyd-y-benwch; Blue Badge parking is listed. Approach roads are narrow; park considerately and do not obstruct gateways.
- shorter alternative
- The accessible 0.9 km Cascades Walk takes about 30 minutes.
- River Severn cascades
- Raised viewing platform
- Severn-Break-its-Neck waterfall
- Longer route towards the Severn’s source on Pumlumon
What to look for
Follow the river along the boardwalk and look for the viewing platform over the cascades. On the Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail, notice how the route changes from riverside path to meadow boardwalk, stoned path and steep steps around the waterfall.
Best time to go
Year-round; choose a clear day for longer walks and take extra care on steep steps and wet paths.
Go after rain for lively cascades, but expect wet or slippery surfaces and take care on steep steps. Quieter conditions are more likely outside busy periods; the operator warns that visitor numbers can be very high.
How long to spend
1–2 hours, Half day, Full day
Perfect for
Walkers · Families · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Natural Resources Wales identifies Rhyd-y-benwch as the main car park and starting point for waymarked trails. The forest is very busy at times; approach roads are narrow, so drive carefully and park considerately. Check current conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Free parking at Rhyd-y-benwch car park, including parking for Blue Badge holders, according to Natural Resources Wales. Roads nearby are narrow; park considerately and do not block gateways.
Toilets
Temporary toilets are listed at the car park by Natural Resources Wales; check before travelling.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting; no on-site food provision is confirmed by the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check current local rules before visiting; the supplied sources do not confirm dog access conditions.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The 0.9 km Cascades Walk is graded accessible by Natural Resources Wales and includes a sloping path, riverside boardwalk, viewing platform and wide surfaced return path. Other trails vary in difficulty; the Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail has steep narrow steps and a steep climb. Check current trail conditions and suitability before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
River
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Hafren Forest
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
