Llyn Gwynant

Large open lake surrounded by green hills

Overview

Llyn Gwynant is one of the largest lakes in Eryri (Snowdonia National Park). It has an idyllic location at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.

It’s a popular lake for swimming and water sports, and has a beach area where you can relax on a sunny day. It’s a great location to spend a few hours in the fresh air and is suitable for families, couples, and solo travellers to visit.

Children and adults alike will love splashing and paddling in the shallower edges of the lake, swimming from one end to the other, or taking part in water sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding.

If you’re not feeling so adventurous, there are plenty of spots where you can sit and enjoy a picnic lunch or a good book and take in the scenic views over the water.

Can you swim in Llyn Gwynant?

Yes, Llyn Gwynant is a fantastic place to swim. The large lake offers plenty for every level of swimmer, from playtime paddling to long-distance sessions.

You can swim to the side of the lake where you’ll find a large rock, known as Elephant Rock. You can jump straight into the water from here, if you’re brave enough! Be careful when jumping and always check that the water is deep enough and that there are no obstacles first.

Is it safe to swim in Llyn Gwynant?

Yes, it is relatively safe to swim in Llyn Gwynant. The water quality is good and is regularly tested.

Be sure to take all the usual precautions as you would when swimming anywhere. Take local advice on the weather and water conditions. Always swim with a buddy and bring a flotation device with you.

Please note that the water is very cold as it is fed by mountain streams from the summit of Yr Wyddfa. Bring additional clothing and a hot drink to warm up after your swim.

Can you kayak on Llyn Gwynant?

Yes, you can try out a range of water sports on Llyn Gwynant, including:

Paddle boarding
Kayaking
Canoeing

You can hire these on-site for a charge during weekends from Easter until September and every day during school holidays. You may need to book in advance to avoid disappointment. You can also bring your own.

Can you walk around Llyn Gwynant?

If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, you can do a circular walk at Llyn Gwynant instead. This is a good option for the cooler months or when the weather isn’t ideal for swimming or water sports.

There is a 2.5-mile (4-kilometre) circular route along the foot of the Snowdon range and along the banks of the lake. There’s also a longer 6.2-mile (10-kilometre) out-and-back trail starting at Llyn Gwynant and taking you to into the Moelwynion range in the Eryri National Park.

Can I get something to eat at Llyn Gwynant?

The Cegin (Kitchen) at Llyn Gwynant is open every day. A range of stone-baked pizzas are available in the evenings, and at busy times, there are sometimes other food options including nachos, burritos, and chilli. There’s also a small bar to get alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including beers, wines, and spirits.

Breakfast is also served here with various rolls, pastries, and hot drinks available.

If craft beer is your thing, there is a brewery on site, too. Brewery Y Bragdy serves beers brewed on site and is open afternoons and evenings on weekends.

Are there fish in Llyn Gwynant?

There are wild brown trout in Llyn Gwynant. Please note that fishing is not allowed in the lake.

Things to do at Llyn Gwynant

There’s lots to do at Llyn Gwynant, including:

Wild swimming
Water sports
Walking
Star gazing

Stargazing at Llyn Gwynant

As well as daytime activities like water sports and wild swimming, Llyn Gwynant is also a magical place to visit after dark. It is in a Dark Sky Reserve, a designated area with little to no light pollution, and the quality of the night air is outstanding.

This means you’ll get some incredible views of the stars – keep your eyes peeled for a shooting star! Stargazing is a romantic activity for couples or an educational experience for families with children. There’s nothing like the magic of lying back and pointing out the constellations.

Did you know that you can hire one of the sky watching boxes from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass, which is filled with everything you need for your stargazing adventure?

How to get to Llyn Gwynant from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass

The address and postcode for Llyn Gwynant are: Nant Gwynant, Caernarfon LL55 4NW. Llyn Gwynant is just under four miles (6.4 kilometres) from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass.

By car: Driving from YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass to Llyn Gwynant takes about nine minutes. You can park in one of the laybys by the lake, or there is a car park which you will need to book in advance.

By public transport: From the bus stop outside YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass, catch the S4 to Morfa Bychan. Alight at Bryn Gwynant and then walk about 11 minutes to Llyn Gwynant. The whole journey should take about 24 minutes.

By cycling: Cycling between YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass and Llyn Gwynant should take about 13 minutes.

On foot: There is an off-road route between Llyn Gwynant and YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass, which takes around an hour and a quarter to walk.