Introduction to Lichens

LEVEL: Beginner

FITNESS: Basic (Footpath through woods, maybe muddy, some slight inclines)

Step into the quiet beauty of Snowdonia’s winter landscape and discover a hidden world clinging to rock, bark, and branch. This relaxed, beginner-friendly event will introduce you to the fascinating world of lichens — extraordinary organisms that are part fungus, part algae (or cyanobacteria), and entirely unique.

Led by Discover the Wild, we’ll take a gentle walk through some of North Wales’ most scenic mountainous habitats, learning how to find and identify a range of common and striking lichens that flourish in the cool, clean air of winter. Along the way, we’ll look closely at their forms, colours, and textures, and explore their vital roles in the ecosystem — from providing shelter and food for invertebrates to indicating air quality and contributing to soil formation.

We’ll be on the lookout for a variety of beautiful and distinctive species, including the bright yellow Xanthoria parietina, the antler-like Evernia prunastri (oakmoss), and the delicate, leafy forms of Parmotrema perlatum. In the upland setting, we may also encounter the striking Rhizocarpon geographicum — known as the map lichen — often seen as vivid green patches on exposed rock, resembling miniature landscapes of their own.

No previous experience is needed — just curiosity, warm clothing, and a sense of adventure. You’ll gain the skills to start identifying lichens in your own time and a new appreciation for the life clinging quietly to the trees and stones all around us.

Come and discover the lichens of Snowdonia — colourful, complex, and quietly extraordinary.