Here at the Oakeley Arms Hotel in Snowdonia, we think we are pretty spoilt to live in such a beautiful part of Snowdonia and there are loads of stunning days out and things to do and see that make the most of the beautiful landscape.

One thing we want to celebrate on today’s blog post are the fabulous North Wales Nature Reserves that you can find dotted all across Snowdonia – and a few are just a stone’s throw from the Oakeley. These areas are a diverse range of habitats and landscapes and include a huge variety of wild residents, but they all serve the same purpose – to protect the environment so that nature can thrive and to promote the areas to visitors who are interested in learning more about local nature and wildlife.

So, if you fancy a wild day out, here are our recommendations for some of the loveliest local nature reserves in North Wales….

• Morfa Bychan & Greenacres – situated just a mile from the town of Porthmadog, the impressive dune systems at this coastal nature reserve are home to many dune inhabitants, such as sea birds, insects and wildflowers.
• Glaslyn Marshes – found at the Minffordd end of the Cob (just outside Porthmadog), this huge area of estuary mud flats not only has a stunning view across the hills of Snowdonia but there are a diverse range of habitats – from salt marshes to mud to shallow waters – which in turn attract loads of different wildlife and bird species.

• Gwaith Powdwr – near the small town of Penrhyndeudraeth, this is a fascinating reserve because it’s on the site of an old industrial factory. Cooks Explosives produced explosives and gun-powder for 130 years from 1865 to 1995. Here you might see nightjars, barn owls, polecats, bats and lots of other bird and insect life.
• Coed Crafnant – Just south of the Oakeley Arms near the village of Llanbedr, Coed Crafnant is part of the Rhinog SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). The beautiful native oaks provide shelter for birds, small animals and a whole host of woodland plants.
• Morfa Harlech – the dunes behind Harlech beach are some of the most impressive along the Cardigan Bay coast. Not only can you enjoy the stunning views across the Llyn Peninsula and to the mountains of Southern Snowdonia, but you’ll find a whole host of active dune life – from bugs to birds.
• Hafod Garregof – situated in the hamlet of Nantmor near to Beddgelert, this National Nature Reserve is a woodland riot of trees, animal and plant life. There are fabulous views across the hills, and the River Glaslyn rolls gently through the site.
• Cwm Idwal – Wales’ first National Nature Reserve, and one of the most stunning in North Wales. Here you can see just how the last ice age and glacial melting helped to shape the dramatic Snowdonia landscape that we know and love.
• Coed Tremadog – near the historic little town of Tremadog, the woodland here are protected because of the ancient oak trees and rare bat species you might see here.
• Coed Ganllwyd – Close to one of the largest forest habitats in the area, Coed Ganllwyd is a stunning woodland reserve where you’ll find tumbling waterfalls, ancient trees and a network of criss-crossing footpaths.

Many of the nature reserves listed are looked after by the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Find out more information about the work of the Trust, and about each reserve at www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Details of the other reserves can be found at www.ccw.gov.uk

The stunning Cwm Idwal Nature Reserve
Image by By RICHARD OUTRAM on Wikimedia Commons