Special Mountain Place

Cadair Idris

Cadair Idris is of special interest for biological, geological and land form features and for its cultural importance. There are corries, summit ridges, steep scree slopes and cliffs found on the massif itself. To the south, there is a large U-shaped glaciated valley. Cadair Idris is one of the most southerly high mountains in the UK, and many upland species reach their southerly limit here, including the diminutive Dwarf Willow on the summit ridge. The area supports a wide range of upland habitats, including blanket bog, upland heath, broadleaved woodland and a range of grassland types. Dwarf shrub heath is abundant, with Heather, Bilberry and Cross-leaved Heath common. Purple Moor-grass, Sheep’s Fescue and Common Bent are common in the grasslands. Llyn Cau is a typical nutrient-poor acid lake of upland Britain containing few species, but the interesting Quillwort is abundant. The crags and screes support clumps of bright green Parsley Fern. Mammals include: Dormouse, Otter, Brown Hare, Water Vole and Lesser Horsehoe Bat. Breeding upland birds include: Wheatear and Ring Ouzel (summer visitors), Peregrine, Raven, Skylark and Meadow Pipit.

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Caeau Tan y Bwlch

This series of small fields lies on the north east slope of Bwlch Mawr. It is one of the few remaining examples of traditionally managed enclosed pastures on the Llŷn Peninsula that have not been agriculturally improved by artificial fertiliser or reseeding in recent times. Grasses include Creeping Bent, Sweet Vernal Grass, Crested Dog’s-tail and Red Fescue. Notable plants include Yellow Rattle, Meadow Vetchling, Intermediate Lady’s Mantle, Greater Butterfly Orchid and Adder’s Tongue. The upper fields of neutral grassland give way to a mire dominated by rushes, especially Sharp-flowered Rush. Large cushions of Bog Moss occur, supporting delicate stems of Cranberry. Wood Horsetail is especially common in this habitat. Breeding birds include Grasshopper Warbler. Butterflies include Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Ringlet.

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Cefn Du

Cefn Du lies below Moel Eilio and is the first high ground south of the Menai Strait, giving good views back over the north-west coast of Gwynedd from Dinas Dinlle in the west to Bangor in the east. As such, it is at the north-western extremity of open access land encompassing the Snowdon Massif. The hill is clad in dry heath vegetation, largely dominated by Heather, with some Bilberry and grasses, particularly Sheep’s Fescue. Several areas of impeded drainage support a greater range of species, including Cotton Grass, Soft and Bulbous Rushes and mosses. The heath was managed as a grouse moor and Cefn Du once supported a radio transmission mast that was used by Marconi for the first trans-Atlantic broadcast. Birds include Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Wheatear (summer visitor), with Buzzard and Raven likely overhead. Limited roadside parking.

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Gwaun Gynfi

Gwaen Gyfni is a very extensive area, mainly of blanket bog with areas of heath and upland grassland combining to give good habitat for a wide range of upland species. The blanket bog vegetation includes much Bog Moss and a great many grass-like species, such as: Common Cottongrass and Hare’s-tail Cottongrass, with their distinctive white seed plumes; the wiry Deergrass; Heath Rush, with a characteristic twist to its stems; the extremely attractive Bog Asphodel; and Round-leaved Sundew. Rushes, Purple Moor-grass and the trailing Tormentil tend to occur on areas there is water movement. Birds of the area include Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear (summer visitor), with Buzzard and Raven likely overhead. Frogs are common throughout. The area is best visited on a warm sunny day, taking plenty of time to explore.

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Llechwedd Slate Caverns

Blaenau Ffestiniog is the location of massive industrial activity, leaving an extensive legacy of slate quarries and tips. While this, for some, is an intrusion - an interruption of an otherwise serene mountain landscape - wildlife is presented with opportunities that are interesting to observe. Llechwedd offers an excellent chance to examine processes of colonisation at leisure. Perhaps most striking is the use of the quarries by Chough. These birds are regular in the area, even nesting inside the caverns. Cameras are set up to give excellent views of Chough at the nest – mid-April to mid-July. Other birds include Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, Raven, nesting Buzzard, and occasional Red Kite. Colonisation of slate spoil by vegetation is an achingly slow process, but it can be seen all around, beginning with lichens and mosses, and eventually providing a toe-hold for woody species such as Downy Birch. Ironically, the invasive and hugely detrimental Rhododendron, is one of the first arrivals. Its attractive flowers belie its unwelcome effects in the more natural habitats of North Wales.

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Moel y Ci

Moel y Ci offers excellent all-round views from a modest summit as well as being an area supporting extensive heathland that is very colourful in late summer. The hill is planted to conifers on the northern half, providing a marked habitat contrast. Birds likely to be seen there include Coal Tit and Goldcrest. The heathland is mainly of Heather with some Bell Heather and Western Gorse, in mosaic with acid grassland. A wetter area supports a fragment of blanket bog to the south of the summit. The remains of a burial cairn, probably of Bronze Age, can be seen to the north of it. On the heath, birds include Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Wheatear and Stonechat, with Buzzard and Raven likely overhead. Common Lizard and Adder are present.

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Mynydd Cilan

Mynydd Cilan supports heathland, maritime grassland and cliff habitats and provides an excellent viewpoint for sea watching, rising to117 metres. Adjacent habitats include relatively unimproved permanent pasture. The whole headland is interesting to explore: partly via open access; partly along public footpaths. The heathland is dominated by Heather and Western Gorse with small pockets of Gorse and Bilberry and some Cross-leaved Heath in wetter areas. The heath and its associated pools contain noteworthy plants including Chamomile, Pale Dog-violet and Pillwort. The cliffs support Dotted Sedge, Portland Spurge and Ivy Broomrape. The area provides important breeding and wintering habitat for Chough. The sea cliffs and caves provide breeding sites, while the cliffs, heath, maritime grassland and pasture provide feeding sites throughout the year. An auk colony of Razorbill, and Guillemot, is situated along the western flank. Other notable breeding birds in this area include Shag, Cormorant, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Rock Pipit. The adjacent heath and farmland support breeding Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Stonechat and Wheatear (summer visitor). Common and Bottle-nosed Dolphins are frequently seen offshore (best in summer). Limited local parking.

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Nant Ffrancon

Nant Ffrancon is perhaps the least agriculturally improved glaciated valley in Gwynedd and is well worth exploring for wildlife from Bethesda up to Llyn Ogwen. The minor road on the west side provides a convenient and safe route.

Dipper, Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail may be seen on the river and, occasionally, Goosander. The nearby pines and willow scrub provide shelter for a good range of other birds, including Redpoll and Willow and Grasshopper Warblers (both summer visitors). Further up the valley, on more open ground Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear (summer visitor) are frequent. The aromatic low shrub Bog Myrtle extends over much of the lower valley floor, giving a purple hue to the grassland in winter. There is a nature trail near the head of the valley, giving good access to the river, which is frequented by Otter and Water Vole. The small woodland by Ogwen Cottage is especially good for birds, with Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher (both summer visitors) and Siskin.

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Yr Eifl - Tre'r Ceri

This iconic mountain with its 3 peaks is of interest for plant life and birds, as well as for having a strong cultural resonance. The prehistoric hill fort of Tre’r Ceiri is of particular significance. Views extend from Cumbria to Wicklow and across Cardigan Bay. Habitats range from the rocky shoreline, quarries, natural outcrops and screes, to extensive heathland and exposed summit areas. Heather, Bell Heather and Western Gorse dominate the drier heath, while Cross-leaved Heath, Deergrass, Puple Moor-grass and Bog Moss dominate the wetter areas. Butterwort and Common Yellow-sedge occur in wet flushes where the soils are less acidic. The seaward face of the northern peak is a precipitous gullied slope down to sea level. The principle ornithological interest is the population of Chough which breed on the natural and artificial rock faces and feed on the heaths. Other birds include Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, Raven and Wheatear (summer visitor). A herd of feral goats is present.

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