Coed y Waun

Drive towards Crickhowell and you'll spot signs for Coed y Waun - a proper working forest in Powys that feels worlds away from the manicured country estate experience. This is Wales doing what it does best: letting trees get on with the job of being wild and useful at the same time. The forest floor is soft underfoot, the air smells like rain and timber, and you're surrounded by the kind of dense green that makes you remember why your grandparents moved to Wales.

Walking trails wind through mixed woodland - Douglas fir, larch, and broadleaf all mixed together - and the paths are generally well maintained without being patronising about it. Most people will want two to three hours here, maybe longer if you're the type who stops to listen rather than just crunch through. It's excellent for families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground; toddlers will find it slow going. Photographers should come after rain when everything looks properly moody.

Coed y Waun works best as part of a bigger Brecon Beacons circuit. You're only a short drive from Cwmdu Campsite and Pencelli Castle Caravan Park, both solid bases for exploring the area properly. The forest itself feels less touristy than some of the valley walks nearby, which is either a win or a drawback depending on what you're after. If you want Instagram views, go elsewhere. If you want to actually walk through a living, working forest without crowds, this delivers.