Roam Free with M&G

Discover the enchanting Cwm Idwal walk in Snowdonia National Park. This trail leads you through a dramatic glacial valley, surrounded by towering peaks, and concludes at the serene Llyn Idwal lake. Ideal for nature lovers seeking a refreshing adventure with breathtaking landscapes.

Things to know before you go:

This hike is moderately challenging, featuring rugged mountain paths and steep inclines as you make your way to the lake. Distance: 4.8km. Duration: Allow 2-3hrs depending on your fitness level. It took us about 2 and a half hours, and we added a little bit extra at the end around Lake Ogwen, and spent time stopping to take photos along the way. Parking: There is off road parking nearby and also a small paid carpark (£3.00 for 4hrs) near the cafe, but it does get full early so aim to get there before 10am. Weather: It does tend to be cold in this area so be sure to have warm clothes with you and waterproof boots. I found a great beanie leaves my head and ears nice a toasty.

The starting point is the Ogwen cottage and, as you make your way to the visitor centre, you will notice a stone path to the left of the building that leads towards the mountain gate. Walk through and continue on, and you will soon notice the peak of Y Garn. Follow the path till you reach a fork in the path, continue on your right following the prominent stoned path. The morning we did this trail there were paragliders and we stopped to watch some of them land in. This path will take you up to the lake, where you can choose which direction you want to walk around the lake. Legend states that an Ancient King’s (Rhodri the Great) unfortunate offspring (Prince Idwal Foel) was murdered by being drowned in the lake.

We did this trail clockwise, and just followed the path around. There are some areas that are steep and covered in loose rocks, but the path around is clear and easy to follow. At the head of the lake, you’ll encounter towering cliffs and the dramatic cleft known as the ‘Devil’s Kitchen.’ Once you’ve gotten half way, the path climbs gradually up and becomes a little less obvious as there are rocks and boulders everywhere, but once you start making your way down you will soon see the path on the other side of the lake again, and its a gentle stroll back down to the lake shore. Swimming is not allowed here as it is a protected ecosystem, so if you really want to swim you can go to its sister lake Llyn Ogwen. Continue on and you will pass through a gate and come across a pebble beach on the north-west shore of Llyn Idwal. Continue the path and you will shortly arrive back at the footbridge you walked across in the beginning.

If you want to make this walk longer, you can add another 5km and continue on with Llyn Ogwen Hike.

This hike stands out as one of my absolute favourites. Despite the gloomy, cloudy day, the scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. I also cherished learning about the area’s rich history and captivating legends. There’s truly nothing better than the crisp mountain air and the joy of capturing such an awe-inspiring landscape.

I hope you get to experience it for yourself! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to explore more of my adventures. Happy hiking!

What About You? Have you ever hiked the Cwm Idwal Trail? What was your most memorable moment? Share your story in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!