15. Cwm Claisfer Nature Reserve

The wooded reserve of Cwm Claisfer is a mixture of commercial forestry with areas of high nature conservation interest. The Trust has a management agreement with the Forestry Commission and works with them to enhance the wood's biodiversity and accessibility, whilst allowing it to remain commercially viable.

What to look out for:

The best part of the wood has developed below the limestone escarpment of Craig Cwm Claisfer, an area of old red sandstone. This is a mixed ash and alder woodland with a boulder-strewn floor supporting a rich carpet of mosses and liverworts. The site's different soils produce a mixed ground flora of calcium-loving and calcium-hating plant species. Look out for sanicle, lesser spearwort, St John's wort, lady's mantle and a wide range of ferns.

The verges of the wide forest tracks are a good place for spotting butterflies. They can be seen feeding on thistles and other plants on the sunny margins of the woodland rides.

Take the road from Llangynidr towards Beaufort. A short distance above the cattle grid that marks the open hill, park in the layby on the bend of the first hairpin. Access to the reserve is by foot along the forestry road.

Nearest town: Llangynidr. Post code NP8 1LN.

OS map sheet 161. Grid reference SO 142 166

The reserve is an open access reserve, you are allowed to visit the reserve on foot for your quiet enjoyment of the wildlife present. Please keep to the paths and any dogs under close control.

A forest road runs round through the reserve.