Cregennan Lakes Walk

This circular walk takes you around these two beautiful lakes in Snowdonia. There's some stunning scenery in this National Trust owned area which lies at the northern slopes of Cadair Idris.
Walk Report October 11th 2026 By Gareth Hughes:
We started from the National Trust car park at the western end of the northern lake at Cregennan (postcode LL39 1LJ for your sat navs) and I was immediately struck by the setting.... The two lakes sit high above the Mawddach Estuary, with the rugged slopes of Cadair Idris rising behind them. It's a wonderful place to begin a walk, with the water in the foreground and the mountains providing an impressive backdrop. I particularly liked the way Pared y Cefn Hir dominates the larger lake, its rocky ridge and wooded island giving the view plenty of character. It is hard to believe that such a peaceful spot is only a short distance from the coast below.
We followed the paths around the lakes, taking time to enjoy the changing views across the water. The landscape has a wonderfully open feel, with rough grassland, rocky ground and patches of heathland around the shoreline. I found myself stopping regularly to look back across the lakes towards the mountains, as the scenery seemed to change with every turn in the path. On a clear day, the views extend towards the Mawddach Estuary and Barmouth, making this a particularly rewarding place to bring a camera. The surrounding countryside feels much wilder than the short distance from the car park might suggest.
I was pleased to see greylag geese on the water, and I kept looking towards the shoreline for smaller birds moving among the vegetation. The lakes and surrounding uplands support a variety of wildlife, with buzzards and red kites often seen circling above the hills. It is worth keeping an eye on the sky as well as the water, as the birds of prey can be easy to miss when you are concentrating on the views. The area is also rich in plant life, with heather and bilberry adding colour to the heathland later in the summer.
As we continued around the lakes, the paths led us through quieter stretches where the scenery felt almost untouched. The area is cared for by the National Trust, and it has a fascinating history as well as its natural beauty. The land was given to the Trust in memory of two brothers who died during the Second World War, adding a poignant detail to this peaceful landscape. There are also traces of much older human activity in the surrounding countryside, including standing stones and ancient burial cairns. I found it interesting to think about how people have lived and worked in this upland landscape over thousands of years.
The route eventually brings you back towards the car park by way of quiet country lanes. After spending time beside the lakes, the lanes provide a different perspective on the surrounding farms and hills. Although the walk is only around three and a half miles, I would allow plenty of time for photographs and stops to enjoy the scenery. Some of the ground can be uneven or boggy, particularly after wet weather, so walking boots are a sensible choice even though the route is relatively short.
After finishing the walk, we headed towards the Cadair Idris Visitor Centre, where you can find information about the local wildlife and geology and enjoy refreshments in the tea room. I would recommend Cregennan Lakes to anyone who enjoys mountain scenery without necessarily wanting to tackle a demanding summit walk. The combination of the two lakes, the dramatic ridge of Pared y Cefn Hir and the distant views towards the Mawddach Estuary makes this a memorable little circuit. It is the sort of place where I could happily linger for a while, simply taking in the landscape before heading back down towards the coast.
Just to the west of the lakes you can continue your walking along the Arthog Waterfalls. There's a nice footpath running through woodland towards the village and the lovely Mawddach Estuary. Here you can pick up the popular Mawddach Trail and visit nearby Barmouth.
Postcode: LL39 1LJ

Ordnance Survey Map OpenStreetMap OS Map (Mobile GPS) OpenStreetMap (Mobile GPS)

Interactive Map

Ordnance Survey Map Full Screen>>

OS Map (Mobile GPS)

Route Video

Nearby Routes

Cadair Idris Arthog Waterfalls Mawddach Trail

Photos

Boathouse on Cregennan Lake. The area surrounding the lakes is home to diverse plant life, particularly on the open moorlands and around the water’s edge. Heather and bilberry dominate the heathland, providing a vibrant mix of purples and greens during the late summer months. Boggy areas near the lakes support sedges, mosses, and rushes, while wildflowers such as tormentil, buttercups, and marsh marigolds add splashes of colour during the warmer months. The scattered woodlands in the vicinity feature species like oak and birch, offering shelter to various birds and mammals.

Pared y Cefn Hir looms large to the left of the larger lake with its wooded island. Wildlife is abundant around Cregennan Lakes. Birds of prey such as buzzards and red kites can often be seen soaring above the hills. The lakes themselves are home to waterfowl like mallards and greylag geese, while wagtails and dippers can sometimes be spotted along the shorelines. The surrounding grasslands and heathlands are habitats for mammals such as foxes, stoats, and rabbits. Insect life flourishes during the summer, with dragonflies and damselflies frequently seen near the water, along with a variety of butterflies like small tortoiseshells and red admirals.

Cregennen Lakes from an ascent of Pared Y Cefn Hir. Located on the slopes of Cader Idris, the lakes provide breathtaking views of the Mawddach Estuary and the surrounding mountains. The landscape has long inspired artists and writers, and its tranquillity is a key draw for walkers and nature enthusiasts. The lakes are also popular for fishing, with brown trout and rainbow trout commonly found in the waters.

 Llynnau Cregennan. The lakes from Pared y Cefn hir. The long ridge extending westwards from Cadair Idris is in the background.

Llynnau Cregennen in the early morning

Wooded island - Cregennen Lakes Wooded island on the larger of the two Cregennen Lakes. Seen here from close up from the shore. Pared y Cefn Hir is the hill beyond.

Llynnau Cregennen. View of the smaller of the two lakes. A dry stone wall leads the eye into the distance.

Small lake at Cregennen.

Download GPX

Cregennan Lakes.gpx