Cwrt Forest, near Dolgellau

Rhinog National Nature Reserve

The Rhinog National Nature Reserve is part of a chain of mountains stretching from the river Dwyryd in the north to the river Mawddach in the south.

The reserve includes most of Rhinog Fawr and half of Rhinog Fach which are the two most famous mountains in the Rhinogydd range.

In the Ice Age, ice flowed between the Rhinogydd mountains creating the deep passes of Bwlch Tyddiad with its medieval pack-horse trail (known as the Roman Steps) and Bwlch Drws Ardudwy.

The landscape is still a rugged clutter of angular rocks, enormous boulders and steep cliffs, with heather and bilberry growing in between, creating a feeling of wilderness.

The remarkable natural condition of the reserve has led to its designation as Wales’s only ‘biogenetic’ reserve (a network of special habitats across Europe chosen for their importance to try to preserve the genetic variety of European wildlife species, in this case heather).

What to see on the National Nature Reserve

The landscape and wildlife varies depending on which time of year you visit – here’s what to look out for:

• golden-ringed dragonflies
• bilberry bumble bees
• kestrels, peregrine falcons, merlins and hen harriers hunting across the moors and heaths
• ring ouzel, meadow pipit and wheatear in the summer
• goats descended from farm animals now living as wild creatures
• a dark pink haze of heather in July and August
• the elusive and small lesser twayblade orchid

National Nature Reserves in Wales

National Nature Reserves are places with some of the very finest examples of wildlife habitats and geological features.

There are over 70 National Nature Reserves in Wales.

Find out more about National Nature Reserves.

Eryri National Park

Cwrt Forest and the Rhinog National Nature Reserve are in the Eryri National Park.

Eryri is the largest National Park in Wales and is home to picturesque towns and villages and the highest mountain in Wales.

It is looked after by the Eryri National Park Authority.

For more information about visiting Eryri go to the Eryri National Park Authority website

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

If you intend following the public rights of way onto the Rhinog National Nature Reserve, please note:

• Steep slopes and cliffs – wear hiking boots and take great care.
• Changeable weather – use a map and compass and wear or carry the right clothing including waterproofs and layers for warmth.
• Consider what equipment will be needed especially in winter.
• Deep water in Llyn Du – keep out.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on the car park's location.

Cwrt Forest is 11 miles north of Dolgellau. 

Take the A470 north from Dolgellau towards Porthmadog and continue past the turning to Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre.

After passing the turning to the visitor centre, continue on the A470 for another 2 miles.

Then turn left onto a minor road - see the photo below of the turning from the A470 onto the minor road.

There is a gate on the minor road which you will need to open if it is closed. Please leave the gate as you found it.

Follow the minor road for 2 miles until it reaches the car park.

Please note:

• The turning from the A470 onto the minor road to the car park is on a straight and very fast section of road.
• There are few distinguishing features at the turning other than a bridleway sign and small stone wall opposite it.
• You are advised to set your odometer when passing the turning to Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre so that you know when you are approaching the turning onto the minor road.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SH 684 302 (Explorer Map OL 18).

The postcode is LL41 4YE. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.

View the car park on the What3Words website.

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Barmouth (Cambrian Coast line) and Blaenau Ffestiniog (Blaenau Ffestiniog-Llandudno line).

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.