Lake Idwal Circular Walk

Lake Idwal in Snowdonia, Wales, on a misty day
Lake Idwal in Snowdonia, Wales, on a misty day

By Vicky · Published Oct. 4th, 2024 · Updated Oct. 5th, 2024

This short and easy circular walk has spectacular views as it loops around Lake Idwal beneath the towering rocky mountains above.

Location

Lake Idwal Circular Walk starts from a car park at Canolfan Cwm Idwal. You can pay online and there’s free WiFi at the visitor’s centre opposite. You can pay by coins if the ticket machine is working, but it’s often not. The car park for Lake Idwal fills up early in the day, especially in summer, so arrive early. If this car park is full, or you don’t want to pay, there’s a free car park about 500 metres down the road. You can walk back along the pavement and it’s quite nice as it’s just by a lake (Lake Ogwen).

Lake Idwal Walking Map

Tips

  • This walk is on small paths, occasionally slightly rocky, so hiking shoes/boots are recommended. Trainers would also be ok.
  • Refreshments are available at the car park by the Lake Idwal visitor’s centre.
  • The map for this hike is the Ordnance Survey Map OL17: Snowdon & Conwy Valley*.
  • More nearby hikes will be coming soon!

Lake Idwal Walking Route

Walking trail to Lake Idwal, Wales
A stream in the mountains of Wales

From the car park, head up the stone steps to the left of the visitor’s centre and keep left at the first junction. Head through the gate you’ll soon come to, and across the wooden bridge over the babbling stream on the other side.

In a few hundred metres, when the path starts to bend right, make sure to stay on the main, cobbled trail and don’t turn left. After heading across some beautiful moorland you’ll soon come to Lake Idwal. You can walk around Lake Idwal in either direction, but first turning left to head clockwise seems to make more sense.

Lake Idwal and rocky Mountains in Snowdonia, Wales
Walking around Lake Idwal and the swimming beach

The easy trail continues on the other side of another small gate. The rocky mountain bowl provides a stunning backdrop to the dark blue, sometimes calm, sometimes choppy waters. There are very few navigational difficulties, just stick to the path closest to the lakeshore.

When you’ve almost done a complete circuit of Lake Idwal, you’ll find a beach from which you can go swimming. It’s at the northern end of the lake and there’s quite some sand, as well as really great views. However, the water is often very cold! Anyway, it’s worth having a sit down here for a while to enjoy the scenery.

When you’re ready, continue around the final section of the lake to where you came in. Turn left here to walk back along the trail to the car park. This is the end of the Lake Idwal Circular Walk.


Guidebooks to explore more of Wales

The Lonely Planet Wales Travel Guide* is a good all-round guide to the country and a great place to start when planning your trip to Wales. The Wild Guide Wales and Marches* contains inspiring photos and focuses on hidden places and remote regions. If you’re heading to the hills of northern Wales, the Mountain Walking in Snowdonia Cicerone Guide* is the perfect choice.


Find other great hikes in the UK here.

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