Llyn Ogwen Lake
Mountain lake in Snowdonia, scenic valley setting
Lake in Snowdonia's Ogwen Valley, reachable from the A5. Hikers use it as a base for Glyderau and Tryfan climbs; scenery is raw mountain country and slate-strewn shores.
Llyn Ogwen at a Glance#
Address: Llyn Ogwen, Nant Ffrancon, Snowdonia, Wales (near Ogwen Cottage youth hostel & tearoom)
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Admission: Free
About Llyn Ogwen#
Llyn Ogwen is a mountain lake in the Ogwen Valley of Snowdonia, north-west Wales, known as a gateway to nearby peaks. It sits at the head of a steep glaciated valley and is closely linked to local climbing and hillwalking routes.
A compact upland tarn offering immediate access to routes on Tryfan and the Glyderau ridge, it is used as a starting point for multi-day and day walks. The roadside location and nearby parking make it a frequent stopping place for walkers, scramblers and photographers.
The basin was carved by glaciation during the last Ice Age and the surrounding landscape has been used for grazing and outdoor recreation for centuries. Modern recreational use increased with the development of mountain walking and climbing in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The lake sits in the Ogwen Valley beside the A5 mountain road in Snowdonia National Park, within easy reach of Bethesda and the main visitor routes into the northern Carneddau and Glyderau.
- Access: Sited beside the A5 mountain road, it is a common access point for climbs of Tryfan and the Glyderau.
- Setting: The lake sits within Snowdonia National Park and is a focal point in the Ogwen Valley for walkers and climbers.
How to Get to Llyn Ogwen#
From the A5 trunk road between Capel Curig and Bethesda; park at Ogwen Cottage or nearby laybys and follow the valley path to the lake. Public buses serve nearby villages; walking from the A5 is a short but stony route.
Tips for Visiting Llyn Ogwen#
- Park at Ogwen Cottage (a National Trust landmark) and take the path into the valley for classic reflections and mountain views.
- Early morning is best for mirrors on the water and for fewer walkers; afternoon storms are common in summer.
- Combine a visit with a walk on the Glyderau or a scramble on Tryfan, but check mountain-weather forecasts first.
Best Time to Visit Llyn Ogwen#
Llyn Ogwen is best visited in late spring to early autumn for walking access and clearer weather; winter visits require mountain equipment and caution.
Weather & Climate near Llyn Ogwen#
Llyn Ogwen's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1539 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 5° | -3° | 157 mm | overcast | 94% | 7.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 5° | -3° | 115 mm | overcast | 93% | 7.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 138 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 2° | 97 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 6° | 88 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 94 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 97 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 10° - 17° | 14° | 114 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.9 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 132 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 12° | 5° | 160 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 178 mm | overcast | 93% | 7.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 169 mm | overcast | 94% | 7.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
