Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the car park at the Ogwen Centre on the A5. A stone path crosses a footbridge over the Afon Idwal and climbs for about a kilometre to the outflow of Llyn Idwal. Go round the lake clockwise: along the east shore under the Idwal Slabs, across the head of the lake below Twll Du, the Devil's Kitchen, and back along the west shore to the outflow. The return to Ogwen is by the same stone path.
It is 4.3 km with 102 m of ascent; allow about 1¼ hours. The grade is Easy.
The path is rough and wet in places, and at the head of the lake it crosses loose rock and passes among large boulders. Keep to the lower path across the head of the lake: the higher one climbs steeply towards Twll Du. Cwm Idwal is a hanging valley carved by ice, where Charles Darwin studied the rocks, and it is known for its arctic-alpine plants. Legend says no bird flies over the lake.
The car park is pay and display, card only, and often full: park only in marked spaces. The T10 bus between Bangor and Corwen stops at Llyn Ogwen.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The first National Nature Reserve to be declared in Wales
- A hanging valley carved by ice, studied by Charles Darwin
- Twll Du, the Devil's Kitchen, is the dark cleft in the cliffs above the head of the lake
- Legend says no bird flies over Llyn Idwal, named for Idwal, son of Owain Gwynedd
Getting there
Start: Ogwen · Pay and display. 53.12381, -4.02037
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Roman Bridge: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
