Visitors compare this ‘picturesque’ forest to Canada or Alaska — but it’s in the UK and completely free

A little south of Snowdonia national park in the Welsh wilderness sits the towering trees of Hafren Forest.

It’s here that visitors claim ‘your thoughts drift away to the pine forests of Canada or Alaska’.

Wandering along its boardwalk you can admire the River Severn (or Afon Hafren in Welsh, where the forest gets its name) and soak in the sunlight from between the spruce tree branches.

Planted in 1937, the woodland has become a hiking hotspot, constantly going viral on platforms like TikTok for its stunning beauty, and receiving exclusively five-star reviews on TripAdvisor.

‘I have to say Hafren Forest is probably one of the picturesque places I have ever been to,’ wrote one reviewer.

While over on Instagram, user Len Vinuya dubbed it a ‘paradise for photographers’. While Isha Patiyal remarked on it’s ‘serene beauty’ and ‘natural splendor.’

And couple Tom and Leanne, who go by @Adventure.amore on Instagram, added: ‘This walk showcases some of the most amazing scenery Wales has to offer and the views you get on this stunning walk immediately will have your thoughts drifting away to pine forests of Canada or Alaska.’

Hafren is part of the National Forest for Wales and is home to ospreys during their breeding season before they return to Africa.

You can enjoy a wide variety of walks, all for free, along with wheelchair accessible routes on the boardwalk so no one misses out on it’s beauty.

Hafren Forest walking routes

The easiest and most accessible walk for prams and wheelchairs is the Cascades walk, stretching just half a mile.

It’ll take you about 30 minutes so it’s perfect if you’ve got smaller children and it goes down to a boardwalk alongside the cascading river.

You’ll reach a raised platform to enjoy the view from at the end, before turning round and heading back to your car.

The Wales-famous Severn-Break-Its-Neck trail is slightly longer at a mile-and-a-half, taking you about an hour.

You start off alongside the river before heading through a stunning wildflower meadow and crossing a footbridge where you can admire the tumbling rush of the Severn-Break-Its-Neck waterfall.

There’s the Blaen Hafren Falls trail which goes through the heart of the forest, but you’ll need to be fairly fit with it lasting an hour-and-a-half.

There’s also some steep inclines and descents, although benches along the route will allow for some much needed rest to soak it all in.

For hiking enthusiasts a longer five hour hike, the Source of the Severn trail, may be for you.

Pass by sheep as you climb to the forest boundary and through moorland to the Severn’s birth place on Pumlumon mountain.

It’s on this trail you’ll find the aforementioned remains of a mine and farmstead.

If you’re a long distance walker (and we mean long) Hafren forest serves as a starting point for a few treks.

The Wye Valley walk stretches 136 miles to Chepstow, Severn Way stretches 210 miles to Bristol and the slightly more managable Sarn Sabrina is a 25 mile loop through the forest.

Getting to Hafren Forest

If you’re going in search of this Welsh oasis, you’ll find it just six miles west of a little market town in Mid Wales – Llanidloes.

Driving there will be the easiest option, although the postcode of SY18 6PT may not get you all the way there.

Instead, Natural Resources Wales recommends following these directions: ‘Take the Short Bridge Street out of Llanidloes – there is a brown and white sign for Hafren Forest on the side of the town hall.

‘Cross the river and bear left. Follow this narrow road for 6½ miles, passing through Old Hall, and the Rhyd-y-benwch car park is on the left.’

This is the main car park and it’s free of charge. Here you’ll also find maps of all the trails to help you get your bearings.

The nearest mainline station is Caersws, if you’re getting there by rail.

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