Wildfire risk
With wildfire risk currently extremely high, we urge visitors to take extra care by avoiding any activity that could start a fire and immediately reporting any signs of smoke or fire to 999 to help protect people and wildlife. Please note, some of our nature reserves are closed due to wildfires, please check before you travel.
Advice on wildfire preventionThu 30 July 2026 12:00 Days out
Carngafallt
Elan VillageOpenSee opening timesStep under the canopy of the rainforest and enjoy the dappled sunshine and quiet calm of ancient woodland, muffled by mosses and lichens.
About
If you're looking for ancient oak woodland with stunning old trees, wood pasture and moorland, then Carngafallt is the perfect place to visit. Celtic rainforests like Carngafallt are globally significant for lichens, and Carngafallt doesn't disappoint.
Lichens and bryophtyes cloak the woodland in shades of soothing green, woodland birds fill the air with a dawn chorus and Red Kites soar effortlessly above. Look out for Witches Beard or Usnea florida, with its tangled tresses and ‘eyes’.
At a glance
We have no car park on site. The nearest car park is off-site at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre.
100 spaces. 6 Blue Badge spaces. Tarmac surface.
Car park owned and managed by Dwr Cymru/ Welsh Water. There is a small charge for parking at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, but this is the best place to park and then walk to the reserve.
Drop-off point. Limited lighting. No height restrictions.
Nearest accessible facilities off-site at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, open 10am - 4pm (winter) or 10am - 5pm (summer). Closed Christmas Day. Managed by Welsh Water/ Dŵr Cymru. Outside opening times, public toilets including accessible facilities, in Elan village.
Nearest baby changing facilities are off-site at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre.
Nature trails are owned and managed by Dwr Cymru but you can follow them onto RSPB land.
The first trail is a circular 'easy access' trail (managed by Welsh Water/Dŵr Cymru). The path surface is compacted crushed stone that is flat or slightly sloping.
The return leg of this trail follows the route of the access road back to the visitor centre.
Nature trails are owned and managed by Dwr Cymru but you can follow them onto RSPB land.
The first trail is a circular 'easy access' trail (managed by Welsh Water/Dŵr Cymru). The path surface is compacted crushed stone that is flat or slightly sloping.
The return leg of this trail follows the route of the access road back to the visitor centre.
Nearest toilets off-site at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, open 10am - 4pm (winter) or 10am - 5pm (summer). Closed Christmas Day. Managed by Welsh Water/ Dŵr Cymru. Outside opening times, public toilets including accessible facilities, in Elan village.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Enjoy your walk along the main trails but please keep your dog on a lead.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Save nature while you staycation
Holidaycottages.co.uk is working with the RSPB to restore UK woodland for future generations to enjoy. Every booking with Holidaycottages.co.uk supports woodland restoration projects at key RSPB reserves around the country, protecting the wildlife that makes the UK an extraordinary place for a holiday.
New to Holidaycottages.co.uk portfolio of handpicked self-catering holiday cottages is the Showcase Collection: Near RSPB Reserves. At these extraordinary homes, immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of RSPB reserves and get up close to some of the UK’s most cherished native wildlife.
Contact Carngafallt
carngafallt@rspb.org.uk Carngafallt Reserve, Glanrafon, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5HW 01654 700222