A Walk Around The Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve
If you’ve a taste for the heart of Wales on your holiday, we recommend the Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve set in the heart of Snowdonia. It’s only 15 miles away from our beautiful Country House hotel in Caernarfon. Cwm Idwal is a gorgeous valley which is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Snowdonia.
If you are looking into a true taste of Welsh legend and mythology within your stay in the handsome region of North Wales, Cwm Idwal is a perfect destination. It is said that the valley is named after Idwal- the son of one of the ancient Princes of Gwynedd. According to the legend, Idwal met his end in the Llyn Idwal— and because of this, birds no longer fly above the lake.
Myths aside, Cwm Idwal’s fascinating geological features are married to extreme beauty, so much so that the region became Wales’ first named nature reserve, and is a site of special scientific interest. It’s one of the finest places in the world in which to see how glaciation shaped our landscape. It draws the attention of thousands of visitors every year- most notably the famous 17th Century naturalist Charles Darwin.
That, and it’s truly beautiful. Cwm Idwal benefits from open access throughout the entire year, and some very well-marked walking paths and rock scrambling routes. If you wish to explore this beauteous range, we recommend appropriate footwear. It’s quite a hard place to climb, with a lot of uneven paths and therefore isn’t suited for those with mobility problems.
Saying that, Cwm Idwal is a botanist’s paradise. There are numerous ferns, mosses, lichens and flowering plants with are lovely to look at all year around, with some very unique features in the form of the cliffs and rocks that support the arctic-alpine plants which are exclusive to this range. The Hanging Garden is an excellent place to start, serving as a classic example of how glaciation and post-glacial processes changed the land that we live on.
Meeting the wildlife, admiring the flora and exploring the secrets of Cwm Idwal is a fantastic addition to anyone’s Year Of Adventure. Our five-star Country House is little under 15 miles away from this lovely landmark. Whether you would like to stay in our beautifully decorated boutique rooms during your visit to Wales or dine in michelin-starred luxury at our intimate restaurant in Caernarfon, we’d be delighted to serve as base to your adventure.
Image Credit: Richard Outram | CC BY 2.0