A Powys beauty spot that used to be a cherished hidden gem by locals has been kept off Natural Resources Wales’ social media channels to discourage hordes of visitors.
The Welsh Government’s environment agency Natural Resources Wales owns and manages Hafren Forest, an area near Llanidloes which is full of waterfall walks that has gone viral on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook in recent years.
The surge in visitors to the Cambrian Mountains forest, which is also home to a pair of Ospreys, has led to Natural Resources Wales declining filming requests that “could add to the pressure”.
People living near to the forest have become fed up with road users clogging up narrow country lanes and leaving dog poo bags and litter along trails which they say is spoiling the area’s natural beauty.
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Julian Barnes, operations manager for Natural Resources Wales, said: “We’re aware of the recent increase in visitor numbers to Hafren Forest, driven by social media.
"While we welcome people enjoying the outdoors, the surge has raised local concerns — particularly around littering, dog waste, and traffic on narrow rural roads.
"To help manage this, we’ve chosen not to promote the site on our social media channels and have declined filming requests that could add to the pressure.
“We’re also investing in site improvements, including renewing the car park to create additional spaces, replacing the old toilet block, arranging a litter-picking contract, and installing bins to better manage waste.
"These upgrades are being funded through the Welsh Government’s National Forest for Wales programme.
"However, investment alone won’t solve the issues. We expect all visitors to act responsibly and respect the beauty of the area.
"That means taking all rubbish and waste home, and parking with care — not blocking access or restricting emergency vehicles.
"Everyone has a part to play in protecting this special place.”
