To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site.  Learn more

Allow cookies
Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve (NRW)

Book Tickets Online

About

Cwm Idwal was the first officially recognised National Nature Reserve in Wales; it was given this status by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1954. Along with Cadair Idris, Cwm Idwal was a favourite haunt of Charles Darwin.

The cwm or basin forms an amphitheatre behind a glacial lake, Llyn Idwal, and this makes the reserve one of the finest places to see how glaciation and the subsequent retreat of the glaciers affected and shaped this kind of dramatic landscape.

Over the years much damage occurred as the result of over-grazing by sheep, but CCW and the National Trust, who own the land, have taken the decision to exclude sheep grazing from the area. This action should give the rare arctic-alpine and ledge vegetation an opportunity to spread to surrounding areas. The small areas of calcareous grassland at Cwm Idwal should also recover and help the plants that grow there and the many insects and other small creatures that depend upon those plants.

Cwm Idwal is a botanist's paradise. Numerous ferns, mosses, lichens and flowering plants grow throughout the reserve, and in other parts of Snowdonia. The main botanically-rich features to look out for at Cwm Idwal are the cliffs and rocks that support the arctic-alpine plants - the so-called Hanging Garden - and the lake, Llyn Idwal, which also contains special plants. Other wet areas scattered throughout the reserve are home to many other interesting plants and numerous mosses.

Visiting Cwm Idwal

There is open access for visitors on the reserve.

There are several walking and rock scrambling (rougher access) routes which lead up to higher ridges.

Please note: all routes are uneven underfoot the terrain is difficult, even in good conditions, due to the very steep and rocky nature of the ground the conditions vary dramatically with the seasons. There are stiles and gates where the routes cross walls and fences

Cwm Idwal Visitor Centre
The visitor centre is the ideal place to start a visit to Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve.

There are interactive touch screen displays and a small film screen that shows different views of the reserve.

There is also a refreshment kiosk that sells hot and cold snacks and toilets.

The visitor centre opened in 2014. It is owned by the Snowdonia National Park Authority and is managed by the Cwm Idwal Partnership (National Trust, Snowdonia National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales).

Book Tickets

Facilities

Children

  • Children welcome

Parking

  • Parking with charge

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted

Map & Directions

Road Directions

By Car: Cwm Idwal is situated off the A5 between Bethesda and Betwys-y-Coed, approximately 7km south of Bethesda. The turning into the car park is just a 0.5km (300yds) walk to Llyn Ogwen.

Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve (NRW)

Type:Nature Reserve

Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve (NRW), Nr Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL57 3LZ

Add Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve (NRW) to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel0300 065 3000

Related

Afan Forest Park (NRW), Port TalbotThe Afan Valley is one of the narrowest, shortest, and most beautiful valleys in Wales, being about 15 miles long from its head at Bwlch yr Afan, to the sea at Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot.

Image Credit: SWAPCwmcarn Forest (NRW), Newport CityCwmcarn Forest offers something for all the family. Spectacular 7 mile forest drive set amongst rolling hills and green forests with 7 car parks to stop at. The visitor centre provides a place to stock up on refreshments and gifts.

Harlech Beach & DunesMorfa Harlech Nature Reserve (NRW), HarlechMorfa Harlech is one of two extensive sand dune systems which make up much of the southern Snowdonia coastline, extending from the Mawddach estuary in the south to Black Rock Sands in the north west.

Brecon Beacons | Craig CerrigCraig Cerrig Gleisiad & Fan Frynych (NRW), BreconCraig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Frynych National Nature Reserve is a 156 acre (631,000 m²) area of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Rheidol ValleyCoed Rheidol Nature Reserve (NRW), Devil's BridgeCoed Rheidol is situated about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth. It occupies parts of both banks of the Afon Rheidol, upstream, and the south bank downstream of Devil's Bridge.

Crychan Forest and Halfway ForestCrychan Forest (NRW), Llangammarch WellsThe Crychan & Halfway Forest is set in beautiful countryside nestling between the Brecon Beacons & the Cambrian Mountains. Miles of waymarked trails for horse riding, cycling and walking take you through tranquil gorges, along old drover's routes & past cascading waterfalls.

Coed y Brenin Forest ParkCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre is in the heart of southern Snowdonia near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

Glyndwr's Way | Pererindod MelangellDyfnant & Vyrnwy Forests (NRW), Lake VyrnwyDyfnant and Vyrnwy Forests in north Powys which is renowned for rolling hills, lush green valleys and picturesque farmsteads and villages. The Forest caters for horse riding and carriage driving as well as walking and picnic areas.

Dyfi Forest - Nant GwernolDyfi Forest (NRW), MachynllethThe Dyfi Forest is located mainly to the north of the Afon Dyfi between Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. Dyfi is a 6000ha forest - a spectacular landscape well worth exploring.

Gwydir Forest Park (NRW), Betws-y-CoedGwydir Forest ranges across the hills on Snowdonia's eastern flank. High wooded ramparts rise steeply from the level pastures of the Conwy valley, enfolding Betws-y-Coed, and creating a dramatic setting for the town of Llanrwst

LLyn GeirionnyddGwydir Forest Park | Llyn Geirionnydd (NRW), LlanrwstIn the northern section of the Gwydir Forest Park, Llyn Geirionnydd is a 0.75 mile long lake is reputedly the home of the 6th century poet Taliesin.

Alwen Reservoir | Llyn Brenig (NRW), RuthinAlwen Trail can be started from Alwen Dam in Alwen which is part of Hiraethog Forest.

Minwear Forest (NRW), NarberthTogether with nearby Canaston Wood, Minwear has been thickly wooded for centuries.

Wye Valley Woodlands (NRW), MonmouthThe Wye Valley is recognised as one of the most beautiful woodlands in Britain, with most of it’s 4,300 hectares lying within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Whitestone (NRW), ChepstowWhitestone lies adjacent to a section of the famous Wye Valley Walk. Visitors to the site can enjoy pleasant walks that take in a number of fantastic views across the Wye Valley

Fforest Fawr near CardiffFforest Fawr (NRW), CardiffA beautiful mainly broadleaved woodland which is very accessible from Cardiff City. Excellent recreation facilities with many different trails within. Close to Castell Coch The OS grid reference is ST 143 838.

Abergorlech Forest Garden Brechfa - NRWBrechfa Forest (NRW), LlandoveryThe famous Brechfa Forest is managed by Natural Resources Wales for the benefit of people, wildlife, recreation and timber production.

Ceri Forest - NRWCeri Forest (NRW), NewtownCeri Forest is a coniferous forest which sits astride the Kerry Ridgeway in the uplands of Montgomeryshire.

Newborough ForestNewborough Forest (NRW), NewboroughNewborough Forest is a great place to relax in. With waymarked trails to explore and wildlife to discover. It is a small forest of mainly corsican pine planted on Newborough Warren sand dunes.

Moel Famau Country Park (NRW), MoldMoel Famau Country Park, 2000 acres of important upland landscape, and forms part of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding natural Beauty (AONB).

Clocaenog Forest (NRW), RuthinThis large forest lies to the north of the B5105 on the Hiraethog Moors. It has some of the best and most well managed coniferous plantations in Wales. It has hundreds of hectares of forest over 50 years old.

Nature /Walking TrailsNewport Wetlands Nature Reserve (NRW), Newport CityNewport Wetlands is a partnership between Natural Resources Wales, Newport City Council and the RSPB. This nature reserve offers a haven for wildlife on the edge of the city.

Oxwich Nature Reserve (NRW), SwanseaOxwich supports a huge variety of wildlife and is protected as the Oxwich Bay SSSI and the Gower Ash Woodlands SAC.It has a mosaic of different habitats including dune slacks and limestone cliffs.

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) near summitYr Wyddfa (Snowdon) National Nature Reserve (NRW), LlanberisThe Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) National Nature Reserve covers a massive 1,671 hectares, and it is home to arctic plants that have survived there since the end of the last glaciation approximately 12,000 years ago.

Coedydd Aber Nature Reserve (NRW), ConwyThe main attraction for visitors to Coedydd Aber has long been the reserve’s spectacular waterfall, but the valley is home to a diverse range of habitats, from mixed woodland to grassland.

Hafren ForestHafren Forest (NRW), LlanidloesChoice of walking trails along the River Severn which flows through Hafren Forest. Trails go to waterfalls and the source of the Severn on Pumlumon. Riverside accessible trail with viewing platform over cascades. Picnic area and toilets.

Morfa DyffrynMorfa Dyffryn Nature Reserve (NRW), Dyffryn ArdudwyThe spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.

Coed y Brenin Forest Park (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Dolgellau and forms part of the National Forest for Wales. There are many walking trails from various car parks within the Coed y Brenin forest park where you can see waterfalls, ruins of a copper mine and have accessible…

Coed y Brenin CafeCoed y Brenin Visitor Centre | Meetings & Conferences (NRW), DolgellauCoed y Brenin visitor centre near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.

What's Nearby

  1. Pen yr Ole Wen Mountain

    At 3,209 ft, Pen yr Ole Wen is the seventh highest mountain in Snowdonia and in Wales. It…

    1.07 miles away
  2. Tryfan Mountain

    At 3010ft (917m), Tryfan is the fifteenth highest mountain in Wales and offers a wealth…

    1.1 miles away
  3. Y Garn Mountain

    Y Garn is a 3,107 ft high mountain in Snowdonia, located north-west of Capel Curig.

    1.2 miles away
  4. Glyder Fach Mountain

    Glyder Fawr is a mountain in Snowdonia located south-east of Llanberis, the second…

    1.34 miles away
  1. Glyder Fawr Mountain

    Glyder Fawr is a mountain in Snowdonia located south-east of Llanberis, the highest peak…

    1.58 miles away
  2. Carnedd Dafydd Mountain

    Carnedd Dafydd is a mountain peak in the Carneddau range in Snowdonia; at 3,425 ft/1,044…

    1.87 miles away
  3. Elidir Fawr Mountain

    Elidir Fawr is a 3029 ft high mountain in Snowdonia, the northernmost peak in the…

    2.33 miles away
  4. Carnedd Llywelyn Mountain

    Carnedd Llywelyn (3491 ft/1,064 m) is a mountain massif south-east of Bethesda in the…

    3.28 miles away
  5. Yr Elen Mountain

    At 3156ft, Yr Elen is the ninth highest mountain in Snowdonia. It lies on a short ridge…

    3.34 miles away
  6. Crib Goch Mountain

    Crib Goch is 3028 ft (923 m) high and is described as a "knife-edged" arête in the…

    3.57 miles away
  7. Probably built by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth ('the Great') early in the thirteenth century, the…

    3.92 miles away
  8. Llyn Padarn & Padarn Country Park

    This lakeside country park is located in the Snowdonia National Park at Llanberis.

    3.92 miles away
  9. Llanberis Lake Railway

    Enjoy a gentle ride behind a vintage steam engine along the shores of Lake Padarn, with…

    3.93 miles away
  10. A living working museum housed in the Industrial Victorian Workshops that once serviced…

    3.96 miles away
  11. Garnedd Ugain Mountain

    3495 ft (1065 m) in height and sometimes referred to as "Crib-y-Ddysgl", Garnedd Ugain is…

    4.02 miles away
  12. Britain's only public rack and pinion mountain railway runs from Llanberis to the summit…

    4.13 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss