Thinking about your next adventure in Wales? Our bikers can make a real impact on the moorland – we hope you choose to make a good impact.
- Follow defined routes, way-markers or maps.
- Don’t cause erosion or damage by leaving the trail.
- Enjoy nature but be careful not to disturb wildlife. Protect plants and animals.
- Leave gates and property as you find them. Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home.
- Keep dogs under effective control and take the safest route around farm animals, especially if they are with young animals.
Heather moorland
Fact: Heather moorland is home to plants and wildlife which are reliant on the habitat, including the bilberry bumblebee, the green hairstreak butterfly, skylark, golden plover and hen harrier.
Fact: Over 75% of the Welsh Black Grouse population is also found here on Ruabon moor.
Fact: 75% of the World’s heather moorland is found in the UK. We have a responsibility to its health and productivity.
Why are we concerned?
Many species of moorland birds nest on the ground in this low level habitat. These nests are vulnerable to trampling or disturbance, which leaves chicks susceptible to predation or weather.
What can you do?
Please stick to the trails; your considerate use of the moorland ensures the continued success of the wildlife programmes we have in place.
By riding on the designated route in and out of Llandegla disturbance and damage is minimal. This is the bridleway section of Offa’s Dyke Path also known as “The Boards”.
Scree
Fact: Limestone scree escarpments are fragile landforms that we maintain in as natural a condition as possible. North Wales has some of the best examples in Britain!
Fact: Not only home to lime-loving plants such as Fairy Flax and Bloody Cranesbill, they also attract important pollinators such as the Pearl Bordered Fritillary.
Not to boast – but we have one of the UK’s rarest trees hidden in the cracks of our scree cliff face. Sorbus Anglic – a type of Whitebeam – is found here, part of fewer than 250 specimens in existence.
Why are we concerned?
The maintenance on this path has significantly increased in recent years…as a result…
What can you do?
Please stick to the designated route across the moorland bridleway and along the quiet lanes into Llangollen. The scree is not suitable for bikes and continued use may result in the loss of this route forever.
Peat
Fact: The peat base we have underneath our moorland is perhaps our most important asset.
Fact: Peat creates a fantastically rich environment for many plant and animal species, but is a fragile component of our landscape once vegetation is lost.
Why are we concerned?
An eroded peat layer cannot support flora and fauna, releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change. It is also unable to do its natural job of retaining water and preventing run-off flooding.
What can you do?
Asking trail users to stick to designated routes means healthy peatlands can support a variety of rich habitats, keep carbon locked up, store more rainwater and play a key role in keeping our own water quality high.