Coed Pencraig

Wood, Forest in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Coed Pencraig

Cefnrhos Gwawr Cefnrhos Gwawr forestry — Cefnrhos Gwawr Credit: Colin Prosser

Coed Pencraig is a picturesque woodland area located in Caernarfonshire, Wales. Spread over a vast area, this enchanting forest is known for its diverse flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

The forest is characterized by its dense canopy of towering trees, including oak, beech, and pine, which create a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The woodland floor is adorned with a carpet of vibrant wildflowers, such as bluebells and primroses, adding bursts of color to the landscape during springtime.

Coed Pencraig is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and insects. Birdwatchers can spot species such as woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds. Red squirrels can be seen scurrying among the treetops, while deer and foxes roam the forest floor. The woodland also provides a habitat for a wide range of butterflies and insects, making it a haven for insect enthusiasts.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Coed Pencraig offers numerous walking trails that wind through the forest, providing opportunities to explore its natural beauty. The paths vary in difficulty, catering to both casual strollers and more experienced hikers. Along the trails, visitors can find benches and picnic areas, allowing them to take a break and soak in the tranquil surroundings.

Coed Pencraig is not only a natural haven but also a place of historical significance. The forest is dotted with remnants of ancient settlements, including stone circles and burial mounds, offering a glimpse into the area's rich past.

Overall, Coed Pencraig is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, offering a captivating mix of natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and historical intrigue.

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Coed Pencraig Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.104571/-3.8459607 or Grid Reference SH7657. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cefnrhos Gwawr

Cefnrhos Gwawr forestry

Colin Prosser

Swallow Falls

The Swallow falls near Betws-y-Coed on the Afon Llugwy.

Bob Walters

A5 towards Betws-y-Coed

The A5 is a major trunk road which runs for about 181 miles from London, in England, to Holyhead, in Wales. For part of its route, it follows a section of the Roman route which later took the Anglo-Saxon name Watling Street. At Oswestry, the A5 joins the A483 and becomes the bypass to the east of the town. It continues to multiplex with the A483 until it reaches Halton, where it diverges towards Llangollen and Holyhead.

David Dixon

A5 near Swallow Falls

David Dixon

Afon Llugwy

A view upstream from a dry section of the braided channel by Ty Hyll.

Jonathan Wilkins

Fallen tree

A fallen tree, whose root-plate has been washed clean by floodwater.

Jonathan Wilkins

Forest track

Rock outcrops by the side of a forestry access road. Without the benefit of this activity by the Forestry Commission, we would have no view of the rocks in this area.

Jonathan Wilkins

Quarry in the forest

A small quarry operated (originally) by the Forestry Commission to produce stone for building access roads in this tract of upland forestry. The rock exposed here belongs to the Cwm Eigiau Formation (Ordovician, Soudleyan to Longvillian), which is mostly siltstone and mudstone hardened into poor-quality slate by tectonic forces. Here there was a knoll, now quarried away, comprising competent sandstone which was better for crushing down for surface dressings. Grading of the site is preparatory to closure for extraction.

Jonathan Wilkins

The Towers Outdoor Education Centre

Eirian Evans

Forest track above Afon Abrach

On the route from Capel Curig to Llyn Geirionydd in a forest unnamed on the map but referred to by other geographers as Gwydir Forest.

Andy Waddington

Forest track

On the route from Capel Curig to Llyn Geirionydd in a forest unnamed on the map but referred to by other geographers as Gwydir Forest.

Andy Waddington

Broad junction of forest tracks

To the right leads to Capel Curig and the Llugwy valley, left is our route to Llyn Geirionydd, whilst ahead leads to another junction, one way looping round to our own route whilst the other eventually ends dead.

Andy Waddington

Llyn Bychan

A bit of deciduous woodland and the foxgloves on the shore relieve the monotony of the monoculture plantations.

Andy Waddington

Old reservoir now part of Cors Bodgynydd Nature Reserve

Despite plentiful ruins, old shafts, leats, reservoirs, settling ponds and much other evidence of lead mining, this area is slowly reverting to nature and is the haunt of Carnedd ponies (one of whom was just out of shot refusing to come and form part of my composition).

Andy Waddington

Looking along the dam face of Llyn Tynymynydd

The shallow Llyn Tynymynydd is slowly silting up and reverting to bog, but was once a reservoir used in the lead mining industry. Both the shore and the dam face are becoming covered in seral trees, mainly birch and alder.

Andy Waddington

Looking over ruined Cyffty lead mine buildings

Next to the carpark is the crushing mill whilst autumnal bracken outlines the buddle beyond which lies the forge. Unlike lead mining ruins in some other areas, the ground does not seem to have become so toxic that nothing grows and the mine is much more overgrown than I would have expected.

Andy Waddington