Start: Maes Llyn, Cors Caron, Tregaron Finish: Maes Llyn, Cors Caron Distance: About 8 km (5 miles) Difficulty rating: : Easy

Walk Description

You can park your car at the Maes Llyn nature reserve near Ystrad Meurig, off the A485. Following a quick 10 minute walk down a section of dismantled railway, the walk will effectively begin on the southern edge of the nature reserve. This area has been designated a national nature reserve - one of only 62 in Wales, representing some of the country's most important habitats and groups of species.

The walk will lead you to a footbridge over the River Teifi. Here you will see how the landscape has changed over its 12,000 year history.

The acid conditions created by peat preserve parts of plants and animals. Each plant produces a specific shape of pollen grain which is unique to that plant as human fingerprints are to us. When scientists examine the pollen grains contained in a core of peat taken from the surface to the bottom, they can see the story of the vegetation from when the bog first formed to the present day. This glimpse into the past unlocks some of the secrets of the climate and vegetation.

At the northern end of the reserve you will come across banks to prevent water being lost and raising the water table to the surface. This should see an increase in sphagnum moss and other bog plants.

The observation tower gives remarkable views of the north-east and west bog and is also an excellent bird hide.

You then need to find your way back to the dismantled railway track which is now a nature trail and this is the route you want to follow back to Maes-llyn and the car park.

The backdrop to the walk is beautiful unspoilt countryside of outstanding quality. There will be abundant opportunity for viewing wildlife, flora and fauna, including the beautiful wild Red Kite.

Insects in particular are abundant and provide a valuable source of food for birds and mammals. Otters, water voles, water shrews and polecats can be found on the reserve. The polecat's last stronghold used to be in this area of Mid Wales but it is now spreading to other parts of Britain.

Reptiles and amphibians also thrive in these damp conditions and adders, slow worms, frogs, toads and common lizards are all fairly abundant although not often seen. There are regular organised educational walks (by permit) around Cors Caron, on behalf of the CCW.