Try something new in South Snowdonia

Bird watching

The Dolmelynllyn Estate and Dinas Oleu are excellent places for bird watching, so don’t forget your binoculars.

At Dolmelynllyn, look out for pied flycatchers. They return to the oak woods here every year after wintering in north Africa.

Charming birds such as the linnet and meadow pipit, whose numbers have declined elsewhere, can be spotted here too.

Look out for the larger chough and peregrine falcon over open fields, and the nuthatch, blackcap and redstart in the woods.

Raven and ring ouzel breed at Cregennan lakes and, occasionally, the peregrine falcon.

Art and photography

With so much stunning scenery - this corner of Snowdonia is rich in inspirational land- and seascapes.

For truly awe-inspiring views of the Mawddach estuary, Barmouth Bay and Dinas Oleu, walk up to the Cregennan lakes.

The summit of Dinas Oleu is also a great vantage point for views of Cardigan Bay to the Llŷn peninsula.

Or you can follow in the footsteps of painters, Thomas Gainsborough and Richard Wilson and head to Y Rhaeadr Ddu (The Black Falls) at Ganllwyd near Dolgellau. 

Poetry and writing

This area has inspired many to immortalise it on paper, including 19th century poet Thomas Love Peacock.

Peacock lived for a time in Maentwrog and wrote of a moonlit visit to The Black Falls.