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Llyn Cwm Llwch

3.11 miles (5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Llyn Cwm Llwch is the best preserved glacial lake in South Wales. There are many legends about the lake and the fairies that live on an invisible island in the lake.
This walk takes you through the Cwm Llwch valley to this popular beauty spot in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The walk starts at the car park near the lake and involves a steep climb along the Cwm Llwch river to the beautiful lake. The surrounding scenery of the Brecon mountains is simply stunning.

Llyn Cwm Llwch OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Llyn Cwm Llwch Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Just to the north west of the car park you'll find The Tai’r Bull Inn. There's a cosy interior with a warming log fire and a good selection of ales. They serve good hearty dishes and have an outdoor area with a fine view of Pen Y Fan. The pub also provides parking and is dog friendly. Postcode is LD3 8EL.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To extend your exercise in the area you could enjoy a walk to the towering Pen Y Fan above the lake. There's also the Pen y Fan Horseshoe Walk as an alternate path.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Brecon Beacons Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Llyn Cwm Llwch - geograph.org.uk - 755519

Llyn Cwm Llwch. Looking across the tarn towards a ridge of moraine and then the headwall and peaks of Pen Y Fan and Corn Du.

Wild camping at Llyn Cwm Llwch - geograph.org.uk - 15980

Wild camping at Llyn Cwm Llwch. A popular wild camping spot, as it is sheltered and level.

The footpath to Llyn Cwm Llwch - geograph.org.uk - 755881

The footpath to Llyn Cwm Llwch. The red earth footpath leading down to the tarn in the valley can be seen winding its way along the edge of the ridge which descends from Corn Du.

Llyn Cwm Llwch - geograph.org.uk - 755528

This photograph shows how the shallower parts of the tarn have a rich browny-red hue as a result of the bedrock (Old Red Sandstone) of the Beacons. The ridge on the other side of the tarn is moraine material.

Track to Cwm-llwch - geograph.org.uk - 2022957

Track to Cwm-llwch, near the start of the walk.

Cwm Llwch footpath - geograph.org.uk - 755471

The footpath descending Pen Y Fan via Cwm Llwch. This part of the path crossed through land which is 'humpy' and dotted with gnarled trees. A lot of the little numps and ridges appeared to be man made but I'm not sure of their purpose. The high ground in the background is the northern ene of Cefn Cwm Llwch.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Llyn Cwm Llwch.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Llyn Cwm Llwch.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)