Llyn Tegid

Llyn Tegid, commonly called Bala Lake in English, is the largest natural lake in Wales, located in Gwynedd near the town of Bala. The lake is a regional centre for watersports and lakeside recreation.

The northern shore is dominated by the town of Bala, which provides boat hire, sailing clubs and visitor services; a narrow-gauge heritage railway runs close to sections of the southern shore. The lake attracts sailors, anglers and walkers throughout the year.

The lake lies in a glacially carved valley and has been used for local fishing and transport for centuries; modern recreational use expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries as Bala developed as a tourist centre.

Geographically it sits in north Wales at the head of the Dee valley, with the town of Bala on the north shore and upland hills surrounding the lake on other sides.

• Size note: It is the largest natural lake in Wales, commonly known by the English name Bala Lake and the Welsh name Llyn Tegid.
• Activities: Popular for sailing, rowing and watersports, with year-round boating activity and seasonal events based from Bala.

What to See #

• Bala town: The town of Bala occupies the northern shore and is the primary access point for activities on the lake, with visitor facilities and boat hire.
• Bala Lake Railway: A narrow-gauge heritage railway runs alongside parts of the lake and provides scenic rides close to the shore.