Wild places in South Snowdonia

The rugged mountain landscapes of Cadair Idris and Dolmelynllyn are both strewn with the remains of at least 2,000 years of history. Amongst these are glacial fossils, rare lichens and heathland.

Dolmelynllyn

The Dolmelynllyn estate’s woodland is predominantly sessile oak, with most of Britain’s native deciduous trees growing here.

Although the plantation is around 200 years old, it grows on an ancient woodland site, and the existence of small-leaved lime is proof of that.

The estate and woodlands are of considerable interest for nature conservationists. They're both designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation.

An exceptional variety of lichen and Bryophyte species live and grow on this estate, which are extremely rare elsewhere in Britain.

Cregennan

A wide range of habitats means a wealth of plant species are found here.

The Cregennan estate includes two sheep and cattle farms. The small dry stone enclosures - an unenclosed 'ffridd' with wet and dry heaths and scattered woodland - make this an attractive landscape.

Cregennan and Pared y Cefn Hir is a nationally important geological site and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The area has a wide range of rock types including fossil-bearing marine sedimentary rocks, intrusive and extrusive volcanic rocks.

This is an important location for the study of early Ordovician volcanic activity in South Snowdonia. You'll also find plenty of botanical interest here. This includes notable species such as mossy saxifrage, marsh St John’s wort and fen bedstraw.

Dinas Oleu

Dinas Oleu is a gorse-covered hillside with small areas of sycamore and oak. On its more open areas, warm breezes provide ideal habitats for plants such as sea stork’s-sill and knotted clover.

Some rare liverworts and mosses have been recorded here. Cae Fadog, adjoining Dinas Oleu, is dominated by heath. It's a scarce habitat which gives the area it special importance.

Plants found here include birdsfoot trefoil and wild thyme.