mossesandheatrhswalk

For this walk you will be transported by minibus to Bettisfield Moss part of Fenn's Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve a lowland peat bog of international importance. From here we will pick up the new route of the Shropshire Way and follow it back to Whitchurch. The first section takes us along the Prees Branch and Llangollen Canals to Whixall Moss.

From there we head east towards Hollinwood and Steel Heath which contains a very remnant of heath and rather more woodland. Onwards to Prees Heath Common, most of which is managed by Butterfly Conservation as a reserve to support the silver-studded blue butterfly. At the common we will be met by the warden Stephen Lewis who will tell us about the butterfly and the exciting work being done to restore its heathland habitat.

Finally a walk through Brown Moss will complete the sequence of mosses and heaths. You will note how the winter's rains have restored the water levels and the gale in February decimated the Scots pines in the centre.

The walk is 12 miles long and will take approximately 6 hours. Although the walk is largely flat, there are expansive views across Whixall Moss and Prees Heath in particular.