Cwm Cleisfer

You'll find yourself walking into proper old-growth woodland the moment you enter Cwm Cleisfer, just outside Crickhowell in Powys. The forest floor is thick with moss and fallen leaves, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. Tall conifers mix with broadleaf trees, creating dappled light that shifts as you move deeper in.

It's the sort of walk that appeals to people who want something genuine rather than manicured. Families with older kids will enjoy it - there's enough woodland character to keep them interested for a couple of hours, though younger ones might find the terrain a bit uneven. If you're into forest bathing or just need to escape, this delivers without the crowds you'd find at busier spots.

No visitor centre, no facilities that I'm aware of - it's straightforward access to the woodland itself. The walk can be as short or long as you fancy depending on which paths you take. Go early on a weekday if you want solitude.

It pairs well with the nearby campsites. Cwmdu Campsite is just 4.5 miles away and rates brilliantly - you could easily make this a half-day forest walk and still have plenty of afternoon left for the Crickhowell area. Pencelli Castle Caravan Park is slightly further at 5.8 miles, also well-reviewed. Both give you proper outdoor bases for exploring this corner of Mid Wales. The Brecon Beacons are close by too if you fancy something more dramatic after the forest.