GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Llanishen Reservoir

1 miles (1.8 km)

Enjoy an easy circular walk around this pretty reservoir in Cardiff. The site includes a nice waterside path along Llanishen Reservoir with views of the adjacent Lisvane Reservoir. The reservoirs are located on the northern outskirts of the city. You can reach them on public transport by catching a train to Llanishen train station which is located about a quarter of a mile east of the site. Here you can pick up a footpath running for just over a mile around the water. The area additionally includes the Nant Fawr Meadows nature reserve where there is a mixture of woodland and open meadows.
Just to the south of the water you will find Roath Park. It's a nice place to extend the walk with wild gardens and a large lake to see. Not far from here is the River Taff where you can pick up the popular Taff Trail.

Postcode

CF23 6QT - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Llanishen Reservoir OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Llanishen Reservoir Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

If you head south to Roath Park you could enjoy refreshments in the nice on site cafe.

Dog Walking

Dogs are restricted to the visitor centre and car park only and are not permitted anywhere else on the site, including the paths.
Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs know that this will be disappointing news to many nearby residents who would like to walk their dogs but they have to take seriously any threat to its designation as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) for the rare waxcap fungi.
Natural Resources Wales has advised that the risk from dogs to the fungi is too great. Waxcaps are very sensitive to changes in habitat such as fluctuations in soil moisture, temperature and nitrate levels which can reduce the production of fruiting bodies. In particular, sudden changes to nitrate levels on the site – from dog urine specifically – can have a detrimental effect on the fungi.
Please note that the restrictions are not applicable to assistance dogs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The reservoir is one of the reservoirs constructed as part of the Taff Fawr scheme for supplying water to Cardiff and was completed in 1886. It forms part of the Nant Fawr Corridor from the top of Roath Park to the countryside beyond Cyncoed.
Forest Farm Country Park and the Glamorganshire Canal are good options for continuing your walking around Cardiff. The park includes some pleasant waterside cycling and walking trails including along the now disused canal.

Photos

Llanishen reservoir - partially drained

Llanishen reservoir

Llanishen reservoir (semi-drained) - View over Lisvane at dusk

Llanishen reservoir (semi-drained)

Boating at Roath Park - geograph.org.uk - 900860

Boating at Roath Park - this is a nice place to continue your outing. Located only half a mile from the reservoirs there's lots of good footpaths to explore the park.

Scott Memorial, Roath Park - geograph.org.uk - 27200

Scott Memorial, Roath Park. A plaque on the memorial states that it is in memory of Captain Scott and his companions, who sailed in the S.S. Tera Nova from the Port of Cardiff on June 15th 1910 to locate the South Pole, and who laid down their lives in the Antarctic. "Britons all and very gallant gentlemen."

Lisvane Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1298739

Lisvane Reservoir

Coetiroedd Nant Fawr Woodlands, Cardiff 03

Coetiroedd Nant Fawr Woodlands. On the eastern side of the lake.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Llanishen Reservoir.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Llanishen Reservoir.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)