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Berwyn National Nature Reserve

Berwyn National Nature Reserve covers a huge swathe of upland moor (8000 hectares). Berwyn is important for its habitats and wildlife, but also has a rich archaeological heritage with ancient remains, ring cairns, platform houses and sheep folds.

The moorland is all open access. Please note that the ground can be difficult to walk on, with steep areas covered in thick heather and wet bog. Visitors are asked to be aware of ground-nesting birds in spring and summer, and to keep dogs on a lead. 

Berwyn NNR is made up of seven separate locations on the mountain. The largest block is the Severn Trent Water (STW)/Royal Society for the Protection for Birds (RSPB) NNR above Lake Vyrnwy RSPB - which has an expanse of some 4200 hectares. This is followed by Palé NNR, which is managed by CCW and covers 3800 hectares across the main Berwyn Ridge. Additionally CCW manage the remaining parts of the NNR, namely:Buarth Yr E (37 hectares); Hafod Hir (35 hectares); Drum ddu (20 hectares); Pen y Gelli (137 hectares); Nant Y Dugoed (166 hectares).

Wildlife highlights: Upland birds, including: Merlin; Hen harrier; Peregrine falcon; Red kite; Red grouse; Ring ouzel; Pied flycatcher; redstart; siskin; Black grouse; Whinchat; Stonechat; Golden plover; Wheatear; Snipe; Curlew.

Location and access: There are a number of access points and routes to and across the reserve, but it cannot be reached by public transport, and there are no facilities. 

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.