Visitors planning a walk in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) over Christmas and New Year should be aware of an important temporary change to one of the most popular walking routes in the National Park. The National Trust is continuing its long-term work to restore the woodland behind Pont ar Daf car park, and this means a short stretch of path will be closed for several weeks.
The Pont ar Daf forestry plantation was already a commercial conifer site when the National Trust acquired the land, and the team has been gradually managing it to return the area to a healthier, more diverse broadleaf woodland. The work involves thinning out non-native conifers and removing western hemlock, increasing light levels and improving conditions for native plants, insects and wildlife. Over time, the plantation will shift from a dense conifer block to a mixed woodland of oak, birch, hazel and other broadleaf species – a habitat much better suited to the local ecosystem.
To carry out this phase safely, the path between Pont ar Daf car park and Storey Arms, which runs parallel to the A470, will be closed from 24 November 2025 until February 2026. This temporary closure affects people walking the Beacons Way and those planning routes that usually start or end at different car parks. During this period, the advice is to plan ahead and make sure your walk begins and ends in the same place. If you’re unsure about alternatives, the Welcome Team at Pont ar Daf can help you choose a suitable route.
The woodland work is being done carefully and in stages. Western hemlock, which spreads easily and out-competes native species, is being removed first. After that, contractors will begin thinning the remaining non-native conifers using a method called Continuous Cover Forestry. Instead of clearing a whole area at once, trees are taken out irregularly and slowly. This keeps the woodland structure intact, protects soil health and allows nature to adapt as the habitat shifts. Once gaps are created and the light levels improve, native broadleaf trees are planted and maintained, with further thinning planned every few years until the woodland has fully transitioned.
In the longer term, the National Trust hopes to create a gentle, accessible route through this restored woodland. This would give visitors who may not wish to climb the higher peaks an enjoyable alternative that still offers the beauty and atmosphere of the Brecon Beacons.
Some visitors have asked why trees are being removed at the same time as the National Trust is planting more trees to tackle climate change. The explanation is simple: woodlands need active, long-term management. The conifers at Pont ar Daf were planted as a timber crop and have now reached the age where harvesting is appropriate. Removing them allows the wood to be used, while also creating space for a more biodiverse and resilient woodland that will benefit nature for decades to come.
Thank you to all walkers for their patience while this essential work continues. Clear information now will help visitors enjoy safe and rewarding days out in Bannau Brycheiniog during one of the busiest walking periods of the year.
