In 1954, Cwm Idwal was designated as Wales’ first national Nature Reserve, and today it is a very popular attraction for a wide range of visitors.
The primary reason for designating Cwm Idwal as a National Nature Reserve was the unique geology found here. The second reason connects rare plants to the special geology.
The nature reserve is managed through a partnership between National Trust, Eryri National Park and Natural Resources Wales.
Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve extends over 398 hectares of mountains, lakes, streams, peatland and heathland. It includes the cwms of Cwm Idwal, Cwm Cneifion and Cwm Clud. The summits of Y Garn and Y Glyder Fawr, some of Wales’ highest mountains, are also part of the nature reserve.
Where next…
Weathering
The rocks are exposed to the elements in several places, especially on the highest slopes…
Cwm Idwal Wildlife
In Cwm Idwal a record is kept of the invertebrates, amphibians, fish, small mammals and…
The People of Cwm Idwal – The Hidden History
The impacts that people have had on the landscape of Cwm Idwal and the surrounding…
Timeline
Below we see a timeline, with all the events listed that have had an impact…