Lakes & lochs in GwyneddGwynedd, Wales

Wales's first nature reserve, this cwm lake in the Glyderau is cradled beneath the cliffs of the Devil's Kitchen.

Llanberis

A pair of upland lakes owned by the National Trust above the Mawddach near Arthog, with views of Barmouth Bridge.

Barmouth

At Llanberis below Snowdon, a lakeside steam railway runs beside this glacial lake, overlooked by Dolbadarn Castle.

Llanberis

Legend holds that Excalibur lies in this shallow lake in the Ogwen valley, beneath Tryfan and the Glyderau.

Capel Curig

Wales's largest natural lake, home to the gwyniad whitefish, with a little steam railway running along its southern shore.

Bala

Intensely green and once believed bottomless, this tarn lies high in Snowdon's cwm on the Miners' Track.

Llanberis

Drowning the village of Capel Celyn for Liverpool's water, this reservoir became a rallying point for Welsh nationalism.

Bala

Below Mynydd Mawr on the western approach to Snowdon, this deep lake holds the rare Arctic charr and supplies Caernarfon.

Llanberis

Legend links it to Merlin and the fighting dragons of Dinas Emrys, in the Nantgwynant valley below Snowdon.

Beddgelert

A favourite for wild swimming below Snowdon's flanks, in the upper Gwynant valley on the road to Pen-y-Pass.

Beddgelert

In Snowdon's eastern cwm, a causeway on the Miners' Track crosses this dark lake below the summit.

Beddgelert

Set in the woods of the Vale of Ffestiniog, this ornamental lake lies beside the narrow-gauge railway near Tan-y-bwlch.

Maentwrog

Richard Wilson, pioneer of British landscape art, painted Snowdon reflected in this Nantlle valley lake.

Beddgelert

Paired with Llyn Padarn at Llanberis, it is the lower reservoir of the Dinorwig pumped-storage station inside the mountain.

Llanberis

Built for hydro power on the Meirionnydd moors, it was long overlooked by a now-closed nuclear power station.

Trawsfynydd

Below Cadair Idris, this natural lake lends its Welsh name, Llyn Mwyngil, to the narrow-gauge railway beside it.

Dolgellau