Cwm Glas Crafnant National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The Cwm Glas Crafnant NNR lies at the head of the steep and narrow Afon Crafnant valley, adjacent to Llyn Crafnant, which lies in the cwm beneath the mountains of Crimpiau, Creigiau Gleision and Craig Wen. The reserve is a mixture of woodland and open upland grasslands, which support many interesting plants and wildlife species. A scattering of ash woodland covers the reserve, with a range of trees which also include wych elm, bird cherry, hazel and hawthorn. The ground flora includes a wide variety of species, such as grass of Parnassus, herb bennet, primrose and hart’s tongue fern. These grow together with plants that enjoy a rockier habitat, such as the uncommon rock stonecrop. The quiet upland reserve is believed to be the home to some threatened species of mammals such as the red squirrel and pine marten, and some rare upland moths have also been recorded here.

Location

Llanrhychwyn

About the area

The majority of the population of Conwy lives along its picturesque coastline, while a third of the county falls within jaw-dropping landscape of the Snowdonia National Park. The town of Conwy, which takes its name from the county (which in turn was named after the river that runs through it), is undoubtedly one of the great treasures of Wales.