GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Marchlyn Mawr Walk

4 miles (6.5 km)

This walk visits the Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir in the Snowdonia National Park.
The beauitful lake sits in a remote location next to the Elidir Fawr mountain. The area is also quite popular with cyclists as you can follow a road up to the lake on your bike.
You can start off from the roadside parking area in Buarth, a couple of miles north west of the reservoir. From near here you can pick up the surfaced track heading south east towards the slate quarry, the smaller Marchlyn Bach Reservoir and then onto the Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir. It's a fairly easy track that rises steadily towards the scenic lakes which sit in a stunning, remote spot. There's some wonderful views to the surrounding peaks in this isolated location.
You can extend the walk by climbing to the Elidir Fawr, the northernmost peak in the Glyderau range.

Marchlyn Mawr OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Marchlyn Mawr Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the south there's Padarn Country Park where you can enjoy some wonderful walking and cycling around the stunning Llyn Padarn. You can also visit the unusual landscape of the Dinorwic Quarry in this area.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 3788616

The lake is used as the high level water source for Dinorwig power station, a closed-loop pumped storage hydroelectric generating facility.

Llyn Marchlyn Bach - geograph.org.uk - 225966

 Llyn Marchlyn Bach. A deep, 12 acre, reservoir based on an existing tarn. It supplies water for the surrounding towns and villages.

Crags of Elidir Fach - geograph.org.uk - 192469

Crags of Elidir Fach

Walls, wire, gates and cattle grid mark the boundary of the Snowdonia National Park - geograph.org.uk - 390698

Walls, wire, gates and cattle grid mark the boundary of the Snowdonia National Park

The Marchlyn Mawr Dam from the slopes of Mynydd Perfedd - geograph.org.uk - 427936

The Marchlyn Mawr Dam from the slopes of Mynydd Perfedd

At almost 500m, Britain's highest and tiniest zebra crossing - geograph.org.uk - 390659

At almost 500m, Britain's highest and tiniest zebra crossing. This allows pedestrians to cross the HEP service road in safety.

Marchlyn Mawr (Reservoir) and Elidir Fawr - geograph.org.uk - 3788604

Marchlyn Mawr (Reservoir) and Elidir Fawr

Afon Marchlyn Mawr emerges into day-light - geograph.org.uk - 390826

Afon Marchlyn Mawr emerges into day-light

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

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