Forest bathing at Coedydd Maentwrog and Coed Llyn Mair

Coedydd Maentwrog is a National Nature Reserve of oak woodland on the slopes above the Vale of Ffestiniog, a remnant of the Celtic rainforest that once covered western Britain. High rainfall and spray from steep streams keep the air damp, so the wood holds around 200 kinds of mosses and liverworts and 120 lichens. Rare lesser horseshoe bats live here, and redstarts, pied flycatchers and wood warblers arrive in summer.

Start at the free Coed Llyn Mair car park, opposite the lake and its picnic area. The Coed Llyn Mair Walk is a short loop on natural ground with rocks, roots, several flights of steps and sculptures along the way. The Station Link Walk climbs gently to Tan y Bwlch station on the Ffestiniog Railway, with resting places every hundred metres or so and picnic tables at the top. Both are short, so you can take your time.