Nature of Eryri - The Classic Workshop
Nature of Eryri Workshops
Two venues to choose from...
Mike Raine’s Nature of Eryri workshops are designed to complement the book Nature of Snowdonia. They are aimed primarily at trainee and qualified leaders within the Mountain Training schemes but are open to anyone with an interest in the natural environment. We explore all aspects of the landscape, including geology, geomorphology, glaciation, flowers, mosses, clubmosses, lichens, ferns, trees and, to be honest, anything else we happen to encounter. What we see will, of course, be dictated by the season.
19th October 2026 - Cwm Idwal There's still plenty to see in October, but geology, glaciation, mosses and lichen might be foremost.
21 March 2027 – Cwm Idwal
Purple Saxifrage, one of our most spectacular Arctic–Alpine plants and easily the earliest flowering species in the mountains. It is certainly one of my favourites.
15 May 2027 – Cwm Crafnant
Meadows of bluebells spread beneath Crimpiau around the head of Llyn Crafnant and busy birds.
31 May 2027 – Cwm Idwal
A wide range of Arctic–Alpine flowers should be in bloom.
27 August 2027– Cwm Crafnant
The rarely seen (in Eryri) but beautiful Grass-of-Parnassus, amongst other summer flowering plants.
We will also look at how people have shaped the landscape over the centuries and consider the competing land-use demands it faces today.
The workshops are delivered in an easy-to-follow story format, with plenty that can be taken away and used when leading your own groups. We work in small teams to consolidate learning and revisit topics throughout the day. It is a tried-and-tested formula that has produced many happy attendees over the years, and I would love it if you could join me.
You will need to dress for the weather and expect to be on the hill for approximately six hours. Please bring a packed lunch. A digital camera and/or smartphone, along with a notebook and pen or pencil, will also be useful.
Meet: 09:30
Venue: Cwm Idwal Visitor Centre (SH 649 604) or Crafnant Car Park (SH 756 618), depending on which workshop you have chosen.
CPD: This workshop is eligible for MTA, AMI and BAIML CPD points.
Cwm Idwal
Cwm Idwal is one of Eryri’s most celebrated landscapes, renowned for its dramatic glacial geology, rare Arctic–Alpine plants and rich natural heritage. Designated a National Nature Reserve and part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it provides an outstanding setting for exploring the links between geology, ecology and conservation. Our walk takes us around the shores of Llyn Idwal and beneath the towering cliffs of the Glyderau, where we will examine the legacy of the Ice Age, the unique habitats it created and the wildlife that depends upon them. From alpine flowers clinging to rocky ledges to the spectacular exposed geology of the mountains, Cwm Idwal offers a remarkable opportunity to experience one of Eryri’s most iconic and ecologically important landscapes.
Cwm Crafnant
Cwm Crafnant, one of the quieter valleys in Eryri National Park, is a landscape undergoing significant ecological restoration, with former conifer plantations regenerating into native woodland alongside internationally important ash woodland. This makes it an ideal location for a Nature of Eryri workshop. Our walk follows the gorge to Llyn Crafnant before crossing the fridd and climbing Crimpiau, exploring habitat restoration and experiencing one of Eryri’s finest landscapes from within. The area is also rich in birdlife, offering excellent opportunities to see woodland birds, birds of prey, cuckoos and upland species.