Cwm Idwal Partnership Officer, Snowdonia National Park

Cwm Idwal is a glaciated corrie, where sheer crags surround the bone-cold Llyn Idwal, a favourite for wild swimmers. It is also the oldest National Nature Reserve in Wales and home to the rare Snowdon lily plant.

“The nature reserve here was identified right from the start as being one of the most important places in Wales for nature. It was designated for the geology and geomorphology and for a suite of rare plants which mostly survive on the cliffs and in the boulders.

“We want people to come here and learn about nature and experience it. With interesting geology dotted all over the place, you need to go off-path to have a closer look. It’s a popular place for climbers as well – there are about 900 climbing routes in the cwm. So for many years people have been wandering all over the place. As more people come it causes more erosion, particularly on routes around the lake.

“People think we do footpath work to make walking easier, but that’s just a nice secondary benefit. The main reason is to prevent erosion to the ground and the plants. Building a path and keeping it in good condition stops people getting lost and keeps the majority on the path because it’s easier going.

“The Snowdon lily and the Snowdonian hawkweed, which hasn’t been seen for a number of years, tend to grow on inaccessible cliffs, so they aren’t under threat from walking so much as climbing. We have lots of other rare flowers here, in particular the saxifrage family. Purple saxifrage which is fairly rare, and tufted saxifrage which, in Wales, only grows in Cwm Idwal. There are fewer than 10 individuals and several grow on one boulder. If someone chose that boulder to have a picnic on, there’s a very real risk that they would eradicate half the Welsh population in one go.

“People ask why we don’t cordon off areas where some of the rare plants are. And the reason for that is that it simply attracts attention and traffic.

“I would say, stick to the path wherever you can, but if you choose to leave the path, be aware of where you’re going. Look under your feet and see what’s there. If it’s grass and tough old heather, you’re probably not going to do much damage. But if the plants look more delicate, dangling off rocks or trailing down the side of a boulder, think about the damage you could do. Especially if you’re clambering over boulders. Be careful where you put your feet and choose footholds where there aren’t plants or moss.

“Leaving the path is important to immerse yourself in the place. We want people to learn about nature and fall in love with it, but just be aware of your impact.”

“THESE SOILS ACCUMULATE SLOWLY OVER HUNDREDS OF YEARS SO DAMAGE FROM EVEN ONE STRAY FOOTPRINT CAN TAKE CENTURIES TO RECOVER, IF AT ALL” LIAM PRIOR, NATIONAL TRUST’S AREA RANGER FOR WASDALE