VISIT TO CWM IDWAL
CONTENT
About Cwm Idwal
Images
Equipment
How to get there
Parking
1. ABOUT CWM IDWAL
Cwm Idwal is located in the stunning Ogwen Valley within Eryri National Parc.
Surrounded by the towering peaks of both Glyder Fawr & Glyder Fach, featuring the crystal clear waters of Llyn Idwal, the Idwal Slabs and numerous waterfalls (especially after lots of rain). The Valley is named after Prince Idwal, who has the story goes died a tragic death here in the 12th Century.
Cwm Idwal is the most southernly location in the UK that Arctic plants are found and is home to the Snowden Lily, a plant that is only found on Snowden and its surrounding areas.
Starting at the Ogwen Visitor Centre you can follow a 3 mile circular route that will take in all the stunning scenery Cwm Idwal has to offer (link to the route below)
About the Terrain, A clear stone pitched path for most of the route with gentle up hill to Llyn Idwal then mostly flat. Some sections can be boggy / slippery in wet or icy conditions.
2. IMAGES
Image captured while making a cup of tea on the beach of Llyn Idwal. Taken on Olympus OMD-1 Markii
Image captured on the path towards Twll Du (Devils Kitchen), fleeting light on Pen yr Ole Wen between rain showers. Taken on Olympus OMD-1 Markii
Image captured on the path up towards Llyn Idwal using Canon 3000V 35mm film camera and Ilford Kentmere 400 Pan Film
3. EQUIPMENT
Olympus OMD-1 Markii
Olympus 12-40mm F4 Pro Lens
Kase Filters
Canon 3000V 35mm Film Camera
Ilford Kentmere 400 Pan 35mm Film
4. GETTING THERE
Cwm Idwal is located in the Ogwen Valley just above Llyn Ogwen
From Bethesda head towards Betws Y Coed for approx 4miles.
Postcode LL57 3LZ
5. PARKING
There is a Pay and Display car park (with limited spaces) located at the Visitors centre or numerous free lay-bys along side Llyn Ogwen.
A Park and ride service is available from Bethesda
Two Lakes, Two Boat Houses and a Sheep
Visit to Llynnau Cregennen featuring two lakes, two boat houses and one sheep.
After a very frustrating five months due to health issues which forced me to miss a much anticipated family holiday to the Lake District we booked a short three night stay in southern Eryri National Park back in May. We visited a number of places including Llynnau Cregennen, Fairbourne and Barmouth.
Llynnau Cregennen has been on my list of places to visit for many years but we always seem to run out of time on the way up to or back from Eryri, so many amazing places to explore. The lakes and land are managed by the National Trust and sit in the shadow of the northern slopes of Cadair Idris. This ancient landscape is said to revel over 4000 years of human presents.
On leaving the main car park the sun disappeared and the clagg started to roll in incredibly fast, we spent the next hour with limited visibility (so much for the views). On arriving at the smaller lake we had a sudden break in the clagg so we took the opportunity to stop for the all in important snacks and I reached for the camera and grabbed a few shots of a boat house I didn’t realise existed (only seen photos of the boat house on the larger lake).
The rest of the walk followed a similar theme, clagg blows in, clagg clears and repeat….. On returning to the main car park the clagg finally cleared for good and the family patiently sat around taking in the views while I tried to photograph the main boat house. I did struggle to find a composition I was happy with as nothing seem to work for a number of reasons so opted to use out of focus grass, keeping it simple.
Would love to return to this location at difference times throughout the year as it has so much to offer.
EQUIPMENT
Olympus OMD-1 Markii
Olympus 12-40mm F4 Pro Lens
Kase Filter polariser
HOW TO GET THERE
Llynnau Cregennen is located above the village of Arthog which is approx six miles from Dolgellau. The single track road (with passing places) is fairly steep in places with a number of gates to open and close.
Postcode LL39 1LJ
PARKING
As this is a National Trust car park charges apply to non members, members can scan their membership cards.
At the time of visiting the parking charge was £5 all day.
The Boat House I didn’t realise existed on the Smaller Lake
Boat House on the Large Lake (next to main Car Park)
Mummy sheep watching walk by