Llyn Padarn Lake
Glacial lake near Llanberis, popular for watersports
A glacial lake near Llanberis offering kayaking, lakeside walks and close views of Snowdon's northern slopes; a base for outdoor activities.
Llyn Padarn at a Glance#
Address: Llanberis, Gwynedd, Snowdonia (Eryri), Wales
Website: https://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/?lang=en
Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
About Llyn Padarn#
Llyn Padarn is a glacial lake in north-west Wales located at the foot of Snowdon, adjacent to the village of Llanberis. It is one of the principal natural lakes in the Llanberis area and a local focus for outdoor recreation.
The lake provides lakeside walking routes, watersports launch points and views towards the surrounding mountains and quarry landscapes. Facilities and visitor services are concentrated in Llanberis at the lake’s northern end, making it a convenient base for short or extended visits.
Llyn Padarn occupies a glacially carved valley and has been shaped by the same ice processes that formed the adjacent mountain scenery. Over time the area developed recreational uses linked to nearby quarries, the village and mountain tourism.
The lake sits next to Llanberis in Snowdonia National Park in north-west Wales, with public access from the village and surrounding minor roads. It is set at the foot of the Snowdon massif and is a short walk from the village centre.
- Recreation: The lake lies immediately south of the village of Llanberis and is frequently used for walking, running and non-motorised water sports.
- Access: Several established paths run along the shore and link to wider Snowdonia routes, providing easy lakeside access from the village.
What to See#
- Llanberis: A village at the lake’s northern end that provides visitor services, parking and access to the lakeshore and nearby attractions.
- Padarn Country Park: A public park and lakeside area offering paths, picnic spots and launch points for small craft along the shore.
- Llyn Peris: A smaller adjacent glacial lake to the south that lies close to Llyn Padarn and is separated by a narrow isthmus.
How to Get to Llyn Padarn#
Llanberis lies on the A4086 off the A55. The lake is a short walk from Llanberis village center and the National Slate Museum; there is parking in and around Llanberis. The village is served by local buses from Bangor and Caernarfon.
Tips for Visiting Llyn Padarn#
- Combine the lakeside walk with a detour to the former Dinorwic slate quarry for industrial archaeology and views of Llanberis Mountain.
- Hire a canoe or paddleboard from Llanberis in summer if calm-launch from the wide eastern shore near the village.
- Walk the full 6-7 km circuit to see both ends of the lake; parts of the route hug the old quarry landscape and can be uneven.
Best Time to Visit Llyn Padarn#
Llyn Padarn is a glacially-formed lake beside the village of Llanberis in Snowdonia (Eryri), long used for recreation and as the water mirror to the slate-scoured landscape around Dinorwic quarry.
Weather & Climate near Llyn Padarn#
Llyn Padarn's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1161 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 113 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 7° | 4° | 83 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 2° | 103 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 5° | 71 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 66 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 70 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 76 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 91 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 103 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 123 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 137 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 125 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
