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LAKES

Wales has some of the most beautiful lakes in the UK - and fortunately many of them are accessible to paddlers.

Please note that your Canoe Wales waterways licence does not include lakes and reservoirs, and there may be a charge to launch.

FIND A LAKE

DISCLAIMER: We do our best to keep this information up-to-date, but we cannot promise that it is still true on the day you read it, You are advised to check locally before paddling. Canoe Wales takes no responsibility for the information provided - and your decision to paddle is always your own.

Beacons Reservoir (near Brecon)

One of the string of reservoirs alongside the A470 between Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon, available to organised groups of paddlers with an appropriate 'passport'.

Ownership: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

Access: Organised groups only, via the Brecon Beacons Reservoir Passport Scheme

Directions: LD3 8NL (postcode approx 1 mile north of dam)

Last updated: 15 August 2018

Keepers Pond (near Abergavenny)

The Keeper’s Pond, also known as the Forge Pond, is a small reservoir situated above Blaenavon. At 300m long, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty.

Access: Easy access to the water from the car park

Directions: Nearest postcode is NP4 9SR. The pond is half a mile further north on the B4246.

Facilities: Free parking

Telephone: 01495 742333

Email: blaenavon.tic@torfaen.gov.uk

Website: www.visitblaenavon.co.uk/en/visit-blaenavon/places-to-visit/the-keepers-pond

Last updated: 26 July 2021

Lake Vyrnwy (near Bala)

Lake Vyrnwy (Llyn Efyrnwy) is a 5-mile long, very natural looking reservoir south-east of Bala in Powys.

Access: Launch from the boathouse only (Bethania Watersports). £5 launch fee. Some areas of the lake are restricted, including the dam and a 10m safe zone around the tower. Open weekends and during holiday periods from Easter to October.

Telephone: 01691 870615 / 07816 036358

Email: bethania_adventure@hotmail.com

Website: www.lake-vyrnwy.com/product.html?prid=94

Last updated: August 2020

Llandegfedd Reservoir (near Pontypool)

A large (434 acre) reservoir with an on-site Water Sports Centre.

Ownership: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

Access: 9am-5pm or by arrangement. Self launch permits available online and via the Watersport Centre for individual NGB members with SUPs, open canoes, sit-on-tops and closed-cockpit kayaks (all subject to sufficient buoyancy). £10 per day / £5 per evening. Season tickets available. Paddleboards, canoes and sit-on-top kayaks also available for hire. Organised groups should contact the Water Sports Centre for details.

Directions: Visitor entrance NP4 0SY (for Sat Nav please use NP4 0TA and once in Sluvad Road ignore instructions to turn right into a narrow lane; continue straight ahead for 3/4 mile)

Facilities: Watersport Centre, visitor centre, parking, café and toilets

Telephone: 01633 373408

Email: llandegfedd@dwrcymru.com

Website: llandegfedd.co.uk/watersports/

Last updated: 14 June 2021

Llangorse Lake (near Brecon)

Wales’ second largest (400 acre) natural lake, popular for a variety of watersports.

Ownership: Privately owned

Access: Access is normally all year. Permits available online or from caravan park shop on-site (or boat hire hut on jetty when open). £13.80 per craft per day. Season tickets available 1 Feb-31 Dec for £150. SUPs, open canoes and sit-on-tops also available for hire at weekends and school holidays from Easter onwards (weather dependent).

Directions: LD3 7TR. Follow lane across common calling at shop to purchase permits before continuing on to waterside jetties. Toilets are in car park on left on road to lake.

Facilities: Parking, picnic areas, camping and toilets

Telephone: 01874 658226

Email: reception@llangorselake.co.uk

Website: www.llangorselake.co.uk/bring-your-own-boat.html

Last updated: 17 March 2022

Llyn Clywedog (near Llanidloes)

A large (615 acre) reservoir at the top of the Afon Clywedog with various facilities.

Ownership: Severn Trent Water Ltd

Access: As of June 2021, access to water for paddling is for members of Clywedog Sailing Club only and the club is not providing day memberships - this is to prevent overcrowding. For updates, please visit their Facebook page here.

Facilities: Parking, picnic areas, slipways, toilets in sailing club

Telephone: 01686 640305

Website: www.llanidloes.com/clywedog/

Last updated: 8 July 2021

Llyn Geirionydd (near Llanrwst)

This lake can be reached from Llanrwst or Trefriw in the Snowdonia National Park. The launch point is a small slipway on a slate beach. A charge for launching is made through an honesty box in the car park. It is a very popular wild swimming and watersports destination for windsurfing, waterskiing and canoeing among others.

Facilities: Parking, slipway, toilets (9am to 7pm)

Website: https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/north-west-wales/gwydir-llyn-geirionydd/

Last updated: 26 July 2021

Llyn Gwynant (near Beddgelert)

A 113-acre natural lake on the Afon Glaslyn, popular with local outdoor activity centres and in the summer.

Ownership: Privately owned

Access: Permits from campsite. Launch at campsite 9am-10pm or from roadside laybys by arrangement. £5 per boat per day plus £5 day visitor charge at campsite. Group rates available.

Directions: Campsite at north end of Llyn Gwynant LL55 4NW (NB some Sat Navs send this postcode to the south end!)

Facilities: Parking, camping

Telephone: 01766 890302

Email: via form at http://gwynant.com/contact-us/

Website: http://gwynant.com/activities/boat-launching/

Last updated: 15 August 2018

Llyn Padarn (Llanberis)

Llyn Padarn is a natural lake in Snowdonia with magnificent mountain views, and is very popular for watersports. Access to the water is easy, with sheltered bays which are a good location for instructing if other locations are too windy. Please note that group activity organisers may require a permit.

Facilities: Parking, toilets, pontoon

Telephone: 01286 870892

Email: parcgwledigpadarn@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Website: https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Leisure-parks-and-events/Parks-and-green-spaces/Parc-Padarn-Country-Park.aspx

Last updated: 17 February 2022

Llyn Tegid (Bala)

At 1,100 acres, Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) is the largest natural lake in Wales.

Access: Launching fees are payable to the Snowdonia National Park Authority via the car parking machine.
Route: See Bala Lake canoe trail here.

Directions: The main public foreshore is on the southern edge of Bala town, LL23 7SR

Facilities: Parking, picnic areas, toilets and showers

Website: www.snowdonia.gov.wales/visit/llyn-tegid/llyn-tegid-watersports-permits/

Last updated: 12 October 2021

Llyn Trawsfynydd (Traws Lake)

Slightly bigger than Bala Lake, Llyn Trawsfynydd is a man-made reservoir that offers fishing, birdwatching, paddlesports, and walking and cycling trails.

Access: Launch fee of £5 per craft and payable at the cafe. Only rigid canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards are allowed - no inflatables.

Directions: LL41 4DT

Facilities: Parking, visitor centre with café, toilets/showers

Telephone: 01766540313 / 07501080788

Email: llyntraws@gmail.com

Website: www.trawslake.com/canoeing-and-kayaking

Last updated: 10 May 2021

Llynau Mymbyr (Capel Curig)

Two joined lakes by Capel Curig in North Wales with views to the Snowdon horseshoe on a clear day - also a starting point for a trip down the Afon Llugwy.

Access: Available by arrangement with Plas y Brenin

Facilities: Parking available in laybys along the A4086

Telephone: 01690 720214

Email: info@pyb.co.uk

Last updated: 1 October 2020

Llys-y-Frân Lake (near Haverfordwest)

Surrounded by 350 acres of woodland, Llys y Fran reopened in spring 2021 following a £4m refurbishment and now has much to offer paddlers, anglers, walkers and families.

Access: Open 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm. (Times will change seasonally.) Self launch - phone on the day after 9am to ensure there is space. £10 full day or £6 half day. Buoyancy aids required (can be hired). Minimum age: 10. Parking £3.

Facilities: Parking, visitor centre, café, changing rooms and toilets, bike hire, walking trails, fishing, adventure playground

Telephone: 01437 532273

Email: llysyfran@dwrcymru.com

Website: llys-y-fran.co.uk/water-activities/

Last updated: 26 July 2021

Park in the Past (near Mold)

Between Mold and Wrexham, this heritage and conservation project encompasses a 35-acre lake and parts of the River Alyn.

Access: Bring your own kayak, canoe or SUP and book a slot here. Buoyancy aid required (cannot be hired). No dinghies.

Facilities: Parking, toilets

Email: info@parkinthepast.org.uk

Website: parkinthepast.org.uk/entry-parking-charges/

Last updated: 26 July 2021

Lower Lliw Reservoir (near Swansea)

Self-Launch will be available to book by the half day for £5 per craft. Booking is required and you will also need to do a little assessment on your first visit. All the info can be found at the following link!

Access: Organised groups only, via the Swansea Adventures site

Directions: Swansea Adventures, Llower Lliw Reservoir, Swansea

Last updated: 5th July 2022

Pentwyn Reservoir (near Merthyr Tydfil)

A small reservoir separated (at low water levels) from Pontsticill Reservoir by a small dam. Available to organised groups of paddlers with an appropriate 'passport'.

Ownership: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

Access: Organised groups only, via the Brecon Beacons Reservoir Passport Scheme

Directions: CF48 2UR (postcode near launch point at south end of reservoir)

Last updated: 15 August 2018

Pontsticill Reservoir (near Merthyr Tydfil)

A large reservoir used by Merthyr Tydfil sailing club and available to organised groups of paddlers with an appropriate 'passport'.

Ownership: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

Access: Organised groups only, via the Brecon Beacons Reservoir Passport Scheme

Directions: CF48 2UR (postcode at north end of reservoir)

Last updated: 15 August 2018

Swiss Valley / Lower Lliedi Reservoir

This beauty spot with wooded banks is a wildlife haven in Llanelli in Carmarthenshire.

Ownership: Being managed by Llanelli Rural Council in a 5-year community adoption agreement with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

Access: It is £5 per craft to launch for the day. Includes changing room and wash down area. Bookings can be made on the below website

Www.livefreeadventures.co.uk

Directions: Car park is off the A476 at the southern end of the reservoir (what3words: ///moon.skip.wanted). Postcode is SA15 4PE - this may take you to the west side of the lake but you need to approach from the east.

Last updated: 02 September 2024