Walk in the Woods

Abercorris

Autumn 2007

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In the valley above the village of Corris there is a small nature reserve owned by the North Wales Wildlife Trust. It is easily missed on the right of the A487 heading towards Dolgellau. The small wood is sheltered by the surrounding hills and is a moist habitat rich with ferns and mosses. The tree cover is predominantly oak and ash with an understory of hazel, rowan, holly and hawthorn. Honeysuckle drapes from the trees and violets, wild strawberries and red campions decorate the woodland floor.

Getting there

There is a great map of the location of this map on the Sustrans cycle route 8, useful even if you are not coming by bike. It is a beautiful cycle ride past the Centre for Alternative Technology and along lanes with stunning views of the Dyfi Valley.

It is also possible to get there by road from Machynlleth or Dolgellau on the A487 and by bus. The nearest train station is in Machynlleth.

At Corris there is a well trodden foot path towards the Corris Craft Centre. There is then a small section that has to be walked along road towards Dolgellau before reaching a layby where the woodland walk is signposted.

The woodland walk

The path is well maintained and there are no difficult sections (it is mostly single track like the one shown in the photo to the right). There is a lovely bridge over the river and then the path meanders up through the rest of the wood. The path ends on the back road where you can turn right to head back towards Corris or turn left and extend your walk by following the footpath upwards into the hills and through the forestry towards the old slate mines.

Other links:

BBC article about the woodland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/corris/pages/abercorris.shtml

North Wales Wildlife Trust

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/northwales/Abercorris.html

Photos of the Abercorris slate mine by Mine Explorer

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Photos by Zena Wilmot