HIGHLY protected habitats at a nature reserve in Eryri are being harmed by almost-nightly fly camping, barbecues and scattered litter, the National Trust has said.

At Cwm Idwal, the heat from one recent campfire broke apart a 450-million-year-old glacier-carved rock.

This is a protected feature of the upland location, which is famed for its rock formations and rare fragile plant life.

The charity said its rangers have reported considerable increases in illegal camping and littering at countryside and coastal locations in recent months.

This had been affecting the trust’s conservation work, as well as wildlife, grazing animals and farm tenants, it said.

Those planning to visit sites such as Cwm Idwal are asked to follow guidelines from the Countryside Code, such as appropriately disposing of litter, using designated campsites, not lighting fires, and leaving barbecues at home.

The National Trust said Eryri is one of the areas that has seen growing impacts from visitors, putting additional strain on countryside teams, taking conservationists away from vital work, and placing popular sites and nature at risk.

Concerns have been particularly growing over the rise in illegal fly camping, where people camp without the landowner’s permission and leave debris behind.

Ben McCarthy, the National Trust’s head of nature conservation and restoration ecology, said: “It’s infuriating when a small minority of thoughtless people leave their rubbish behind that impacts both our wildlife and other visitors who have come to enjoy the nature and the outdoors.

“During the summer months, our rangers have really important work to do – restoring and managing habitats, such as wildflower meadows or peatlands, supporting visitors to enjoy our wonderful countryside by fixing footpaths for example – not having to spend time clearing up after people.

“It really isn’t acceptable.

“We call on everyone to simply ‘leave no trace’ when out in the countryside so everyone can enjoy it and without damaging the very nature they sought out in the first place.”

A set of top tips about how to visit the countryside responsibly can be found on the National Trust website by searching for Countryside Code.