Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The former limestone quarry of the Craig y Cilau NNR is one of Wales’ most outstanding botanical sites, famous for its variety of rare alpine plants and trees. High on a hillside above the Usk Valley, Craig-y-Cilau consists of a sweeping amphitheatre of cliffs and screes, on the edge of Mynydd Llangatwg. Over 250 plant species have been recorded, including beech, ash, hazel, large-leafed lime and yew. But Craig-y-Cilau’s undisputed jewel is the rare whitebeam. The reserve’s other claim to fame is its 20-mile long cave system – one of the largest in Europe and home to a large colony of lesser horseshoe bats. Around 50 species of bird can be seen in the reserve, including ravens, jackdaws and peregrine falcons breeding among the crags. Other species to look out for include buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks and tawny owls. The wooded lower slopes attract tits, redstarts, garden and wood warblers, spotted and pied flycatchers and tree pipits. More than 25 species of butterfly can also be seen.

Location

Ffawyddog

About the area

The largest unitary authority in Wales, Powys covers an area of approximately 2,000 square miles. Much of that is mountainous because it actually has the lowest population density of all the Welsh counties.

Area image

Ffawyddog Powys Things To Do in Powys

Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve

Ffawyddog

0300 065 3000

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Craig y Cilau National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

The former limestone quarry of the Craig y Cilau NNR is one of Wales’ most outstanding botanical sites, famous for its variety of rare alpine plants and trees. High on a hillside above the Usk Valley, Craig-y-Cilau consists of a sweeping amphitheatre of cliffs and screes, on the edge of Mynydd Llangatwg. Over 250 plant species have been recorded, including beech, ash, hazel, large-leafed lime and yew. But Craig-y-Cilau’s undisputed jewel is the rare whitebeam. The reserve’s other claim to fame is its 20-mile long cave system – one of the largest in Europe and home to a large colony of lesser horseshoe bats. Around 50 species of bird can be seen in the reserve, including ravens, jackdaws and peregrine falcons breeding among the crags. Other species to look out for include buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks and tawny owls. The wooded lower slopes attract tits, redstarts, garden and wood warblers, spotted and pied flycatchers and tree pipits. More than 25 species of butterfly can also be seen.

Location

Ffawyddog

About the area

Area image

The largest unitary authority in Wales, Powys covers an area of approximately 2,000 square miles. Much of that is mountainous because it actually has the lowest population density of all the Welsh counties.

Ffawyddog Powys Things To Do in Powys