Cors Caron National Nature Reserve, near Tregaron

Welcome

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is a vast area of wetland filling the broad valley of the River Teifi near Tregaron.

The three raised peat bogs are surrounded by reedbeds, fen, wet grassland, woodland, waterways and ponds, and these varied habitats support a wealth of wildlife.

The fully accessible boardwalk goes over the south-east bog and to the large bog hide where you can enjoy a peaceful view of the landscape and wildlife.

The multi-user trail may be used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and follows on an old railway track along the edge of the reserve offering good views over Cors Caron.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Cors Caron Walk

• Grade: Accessible
• Distance: 1½ miles/2.6 kilometres
• Time: 1 hour
• Trail information: This trail is fully accessible with an all-weather surface and several benches. The bog hide is accessible.

The boardwalk goes over some of the most impressive parts of the bog to a large hide with views of the landscape.

Multi-user trail

Old Railway Walk

• Grade: Accessible
• Distance: 6¼ miles/10.2 kilometres (there and back)
• Time: 3 hours
• Trail information: Walkers, cyclists and horse riders may use this trail. The disused railway provides a firm surface suitable for wheelchairs.

This linear route follows an old railway track along the edge of the reserve and gives good views over much of Cors Caron.

It leads to The Old Station Yard at Ystrad Meurig.

This used to be the route of the Ystrad Meurig to Tregaron section of the Manchester and Milford Railway which closed in the 1960s.

Sustrans National Cycle route 82 (part of the Ystwyth Cycle Trail from Tregaron to Aberystwyth) follows the same route as the Old Railway Walk.

What to see on the National Nature Reserve

Cors Caron is a National Nature Reserve. 

National Nature Reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features.

The landscape and wildlife varies depending on which time of year you visit – here’s what to look out for.

This large reserve covers an area of over 800ha (or three square miles).

The three raised bogs are world famous – areas of deep peat that have built up over the last 12,000 years. They are some of the most intact examples of raised peat bogs in Britain, with millions of cubic metres of peat up to ten metres deep.

The River Teifi and its floodplain form the centre of the reserve and is internationally important in its own right as a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC); the extensive floodplain feels wild and remote.

The route of the old Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway running along the margin of Cors Caron has developed a wide range of habitats since the railway’s closure in the 1960s.

This rich mix of habitats makes the reserve a fantastic place for wildlife. Red kite, hen harrier, curlew and skylark can fill the skies above the reserve, whilst the bog itself bustles with dragonflies, lizards and otters.

National Nature Reserves in Wales

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves

Welsh Raised Bogs Project

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is one of seven places in the Welsh Raised Bogs Project.

This project is the first national restoration programme for raised bogs in Wales.

Cors Caron is one of the largest actively growing raised bogs in the lowlands of Britain and has peat up to 10 metres deep.

Raised bogs are one of Wales’ rarest and most important habitats and are home to rare plants and wildlife.

Raised bogs get their name because of their domed shape. They are areas of peat that have built up over 12,000 years and can be as deep as 12 metres.

To learn more about the restoration work, sign up for e-newsletters and read news releases go to the Raised Bogs project webpage

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

Please note:

• Keep to the boardwalk and paths, and wear shoes with a good grip.
• Please be careful ­– tall grasses can easily catch fire from discarded cigarettes.
• Livestock graze parts of the reserve – do not approach or try to feed them.
• If you see an adder do not approach it.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Accessibility information

Facilities for visitors with disabilities at Cors Caron include:

• The fully accessible circular boardwalk route (Cors Caron Walk) runs for 1 mile (1.5 kilometres) over the south-east bog
• The access to the boardwalk is 400 metres from the main car park along a fully accessible path (the total distance of the return route is 1.6 miles/2.6 kilometres)
• The route goes past the entrance to the accessible bog hide where you can enjoy a peaceful view of the reserve and its wildlife
• There are passing and resting places along the way
• There is some seating along the boardwalk and in the bog hide
• There are accessible toilets in the main car park

Opening times

Please check the top of this webpage for any changes to these opening times.

The toilets are open at all times.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

How to get here 

Location

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is 2 miles north of Tregaron. 

It is in the county of Ceredigion.

Ordnance Survey map

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is on Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer map 187 and 199.

The OS grid reference for the main car park is SN 692 625.

Directions

Follow the brown and white sign from the crossroads in Tregaron onto the B4343 towards Pontrhydfendigaid.

After 2 miles, the car park is on the left.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Aberystwyth.

Some buses between Aberystwyth and Lampeter stop in Tregaron, and the service from Aberystwyth to Tregaron via Pontrhydfendigaid goes past Cors Caron.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

The main car park is two miles from Tregaron on the B4343 towards Pontrhydfendigaid.

There is also a small amount of car parking in a lay-by off the B4343 north of Maesllyn Farm (OS grid reference SN 695 631) and at Ystrad Meurig Station Yard, off the B4340 (OS grid reference SN 711 673).

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.