Wildlife walks at Minera Quarry

A quarry area now overgrown with vegetation, trees and other larger plants, but still with large bare patches of ground. To the left there is a steep rockface, with grasses growing everywhere. To the right hills and woodlands rise up to enclose the area. In the very far left background a town can be seen, along with fields fading into the horizon and meeting the clouds.

Minera Quarry nature reserve © Simon Mills

Wildlife walks at Minera Quarry Nature Reserve

Download your map here

Kiln walk (#kiln)

Pond walk (#pond)

Panorama walk (#panorama)

Walking with dogs (#dogs)

A short heading

Minera Quarry nature reserve offers delightful woodland and colourful meadows, historic limeworks and panoramic vistas that will delight year-round. There’s something for everyone to discover!

We’ve put together three walks of various lengths and difficulty that encourage you to explore all that makes this place special. Each one provides a different perspective on the nature reserve, transporting you back in time to an industrial past, wander through today’s vital wildlife habitats, and inviting your imagination to picture how nature might continue to thrive here in the decades to come.

Know before you go

Address: Minera Quarry Nature Reserve, Maes y Ffynnon Road, Minera, Wrexham LL11 3DE
Start of trail: Google Maps or What3Words: ///exotic.kept.spurring
Parking: Parking is available at the large reserve car park.

When to go: The trails can be walked at any time of year. If you repeat any of the three trails in different seasons you are bound to discover something new, and enjoy ever-changing views of the reserve and the surrounding countryside.

The trails are best walked in fair weather. If you’re planning a winter visit, we advise checking the weather forecast in advance to ensure safe and pleasant conditions.

Health and Safety: While we’ve made every effort to provide clear route instructions, the footpaths are also waymarked. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy walking boots, as some sections can get boggy in wetter weather. Mobile phone reception is generally patchy across the trails on the reserve. We recommend bringing some food and water with you on the longer trails.

For the safety of wildlife and other visitors, please follow the dog policy signs displayed throughout the trails.

Download the walks map here

#kiln

A male pale brindled beauty moth, beautifully mottled with brownish yellows and greens, resting on a leaf

Kiln Walk

0.9 km, 0.6 miles (15 minutes) / Easy

This short walk will transport you back in time to when the quarry was a thriving place of industry. You’ll pass several surviving lime kilns and see how nature has reclaimed this historic place.

#pond

Pond Walk

2.5 km, 1.5 miles (45 minutes) / Easy

A figure of eight route which takes you through the open expanse of Minera Quarry, before reaching the thriving ponds in the centre of the nature reserve and beyond to the wildflower-rich meadows.

#panorama

A lone tree sitting on the side of a hill, lots of bare loose rock is visible between the grass and a large cliff face forms the peak of the hill. The sky is bright blue with almost no cloud.

Panorama Walk

4 km, 2.5 miles (80 minutes) / Easy to moderate

This circular loop follows the perimeter of Minera Quarry nature reserve, taking in a wide variety of habitats and several spectacular panoramic views.

#dogs