Background/context
Spectacular scenery, varied and challenging terrain and peace and quiet are all music to the ears of a keen horse rider. The woodlands and forests of Wales offer all of this and more now thanks to enthusiasm, collaboration and some hard work.
Description/why
"Dyfnant is a remote forest situated just south of Lake Vyrnwy on high ground between two valleys. It has always been a great place to enjoy some ‘green exercise’, walking through the woodlands whilst enjoying the wildlife and scenery – including a circle of ancient standing stones for those interested in history. But it also had the potential to be a great place for the horse and rider to enjoy.
Recognising this, Forestry Commission Wales worked in partnership with the Dyfnant and Fyrnwy Horse Riders' & Carriage Drivers' Association (DVHRCDA) to create the Rainbow Trails. With funding accessed by a local community regeneration group and a huge amount of voluntary labour from DVHRCDA members and their partners, we were able to make the best use of Dyfnant Forest to provide a great resource for horse riders and carriage drivers.
The Rainbow Trails now consist of five horse riding trails for all abilities ranging from the novice route, the gentle Banw Trot 8km(5 miles) to Cerrig yr Helfa 25km (16 miles) for the more experienced rider. Ideally suited to the needs of the carriage driver, the Glasfryn Marathon trail with three challenging sections, offers the opportunity to travel the forestry roads with their specially installed carriage gates.
All the Rainbow Trails are clearly way-marked and incorporate excellent scenery in a peaceful environment. These safe, off-road soft trails are further enhanced by the excellent facilities including a roll in roll out car park for horseboxes to avoid any tricky or dangerous reversing and a corral where horses can be turned out safely whilst the riders enjoy a picnic or prepare the trailer for the journey home".
Future projects
"As well as the Rainbow Trails, Wales now has dedicated horseriding trails, including open access for carriage drivers, at Crychan Forest near Llandovery. Many of our other woodlands also have routes dedicated to horse riders and we hope to develop more dedicated trails in the future."
