Llyn Idwal
Encyclopedia
Llyn Idwal is a small lake
(approximately 800 m by 300 m) that lies within Cwm Idwal
in the Glyderau
mountains of Snowdonia
.
It is named after a son of Owain Gwynedd
, one of the ancient Princes of Wales
, legend stating that the unfortunate offspring was murdered by being drowned in the lake.
A number of small streams flow into Llyn Idwal from around Cwm Idwal
. One small river flows out and joins the Afon Ogwen river at Pont Pen-y-Benglog near Ogwen Cottage
, immediately above the Rhaeadr Ogwen waterfall.
on the main A5 road. Another path encircles the lake. Two paths lead from opposite sides of the lake to the top of the ridge close to the Twll Du (Devil's Kitchen
), but these paths become rather steep in places. They lead to Glyder Fach
and Glyder Fawr
.
There is a small pebble beach at the northwest edge of Llyn Idwal which is occasionally used by visitors for recreation, including bathing in the summer months. As a mountain lake, the waters can be cold and care should be taken by swimmers not to go out beyond their depths.
The lake lies wholly within Gwynedd
county, although the eastern edge forms the boundary between the counties of Gwynedd
and Conwy.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
(approximately 800 m by 300 m) that lies within Cwm Idwal
Cwm Idwal
Cwm Idwal is a hanging valley in the Glyderau range of mountains in northern Snowdonia, the national park in the mountainous region of North Wales. Its main interest is to hill walkers and rock climbers, but it is also of interest to geologists and naturalists, given its combination of altitude ,...
in the Glyderau
Glyderau
The Glyderau are a mountain group in Snowdonia, North Wales. The name derives from the highest peaks in the range, Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach....
mountains of Snowdonia
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is a region in north Wales and a national park of in area. It was the first to be designated of the three National Parks in Wales, in 1951.-Name and extent:...
.
It is named after a son of Owain Gwynedd
Owain Gwynedd
Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd , in English also known as Owen the Great, was King of Gwynedd from 1137 until his death in 1170. He is occasionally referred to as "Owain I of Gwynedd"; and as "Owain I of Wales" on account of his claim to be King of Wales. He is considered to be the most successful of...
, one of the ancient Princes of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
, legend stating that the unfortunate offspring was murdered by being drowned in the lake.
A number of small streams flow into Llyn Idwal from around Cwm Idwal
Cwm Idwal
Cwm Idwal is a hanging valley in the Glyderau range of mountains in northern Snowdonia, the national park in the mountainous region of North Wales. Its main interest is to hill walkers and rock climbers, but it is also of interest to geologists and naturalists, given its combination of altitude ,...
. One small river flows out and joins the Afon Ogwen river at Pont Pen-y-Benglog near Ogwen Cottage
Ogwen Cottage
Ogwen Cottage Outdoor Pursuits Centre is part of Birmingham City Council's Outdoor Learning Service. It provides outdoor education and has links to the climbing community.-Thomas Telford:...
, immediately above the Rhaeadr Ogwen waterfall.
Paths
The lake is easily accessible on foot via a 900-metre long stone-paved path from Ogwen CottageOgwen Cottage
Ogwen Cottage Outdoor Pursuits Centre is part of Birmingham City Council's Outdoor Learning Service. It provides outdoor education and has links to the climbing community.-Thomas Telford:...
on the main A5 road. Another path encircles the lake. Two paths lead from opposite sides of the lake to the top of the ridge close to the Twll Du (Devil's Kitchen
Y Garn (Glyderau)
Y Garn is a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales, part of the Glyderau.It is one of the Welsh 3000s — the 15 summits in Wales over 3,000 ft in height. It is the tenth highest peak in Wales. Moderate snow accumulations can take place on the western slopy side of the mountain from October to...
), but these paths become rather steep in places. They lead to Glyder Fach
Glyder Fach
Glyder Fach is a mountain in Snowdonia, north-west Wales, and is the second highest of the Glyderau and the sixth highest in Wales.Routes to the summit lead from Tryfan and Bristly Ridge to the north, via Glyder Fawr from Pen-y-Pass to the south, and along the Glyder ridge to the east, towards...
and Glyder Fawr
Glyder Fawr
' is a mountain in Snowdonia, Wales, the highest in the Glyderau. At just over 1,000m, it is the fifth highest mountain in Wales.It lies on the ridge between and , and has views to the north, across the Ogwen Valley, of and the , and views south to the Snowdon Horseshoe. The summit is very rocky,...
.
There is a small pebble beach at the northwest edge of Llyn Idwal which is occasionally used by visitors for recreation, including bathing in the summer months. As a mountain lake, the waters can be cold and care should be taken by swimmers not to go out beyond their depths.
The lake lies wholly within Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
county, although the eastern edge forms the boundary between the counties of Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
and Conwy.