Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves

Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves is a Site of Special Scientific Interest[1] on the border of Flintshire and Denbighshire in north Wales. Most of the site is also designated as the Alyn Valley Woods Special Area of Conservation[2] and the southern part includes Loggerheads Country Park. The SSSI has an area of 190.3 hectares while the SAC covers 168.3 hectares.[1][2]

Alyn Valley Woods and Alyn Gorge Caves

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Devil's Gorge
Location within Wales
Area of Search	Clwyd
Grid reference	SJ1800864866
Coordinates	53.174561°N 3.2281478°W / 53.174561; -3.2281478
Interest	Biological and Geology
Area	191.1 ha
Notification	1 January 1957

River Alyn near Loggerheads

A large part of the site is covered by broadleaved woodland with sessile oak, ash and sycamore among the dominant tree species.[1] Notable plants in the woods include stinking hellebore, green-flowered helleborine and wayfaring tree.[2] There are also areas of calcareous grassland with plants such as bloody cranesbill and lesser meadow-rue.[1] Much of the site lies on an escarpment of Carboniferous limestone and there are three cave systems: Ogof Hesp Alyn, Ogof Hen Ffynhonnau and Ogof Nadolig.[1] Lead ore, zinc ore, limestone and calcite were formerly mined in the area.[1]