Top 11 Lakes around Llwydcoed

The lakes around Llwydcoed are primarily reservoirs located in the Taff Fawr Valleys area. These include large man-made lakes like Pontsticill Reservoir, Llwyn-on Reservoir, and Lluest-wen Reservoir, as well as smaller natural water features like Pontsarn Blue Pool.

Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly options. Pontsticill Reservoir has picnic areas and a cafe at the Garwnant Visitor Centre. The Llwyn-on Reservoir Dam area is also considered family-friendly, offering opportunities for nature observation. The West Shore Road at Pontsticill Reservoir provides a tarmac route suitable for cycling.

The lakes offer diverse natural features. At Llwyn-on Reservoir, you can experience conifer forests along the shoreline and observe various wildlife, including otters, great crested grebes, goldeneye, goosander, and coot. Pontsticill Reservoir is known for its stunning scenic beauty and serves as a starting point for numerous trails.

Yes, Lluest-wen Reservoir has a notable history, constructed in 1898. It gained national attention in 1969 due to a major leak and holds the Welsh record for maximum daily rainfall from 1929. The dam wall itself is considered very pretty and accessible.

The lakes offer a variety of trails. Pontsticill Reservoir is a starting point for many hiking and biking trails, including a loop around the entire reservoir with both tarmac and gravel sections. The West Shore Road offers a tarmac cycleway. You can find more detailed routes for cycling around Llwydcoed here and easy hikes here.

For easy walks, consider the trails around Pontsticill Reservoir, which offers scenic routes. The Lluest-wen Reservoir Dam Wall also forms part of attractive loops for walking. You can explore various easy hiking routes in the area by visiting the Easy hikes around Llwydcoed guide.

Yes, there are several running trails. For example, a challenging route includes the 'View of Aberdare Valley – Lluest-Wen Reservoir loop from Aberdare'. You can find more running options in the Running Trails around Llwydcoed guide.

Pontsticill Reservoir is well-equipped with picnic areas, a 'scoff' van for food, and a cafe at the Garwnant Visitor Centre on its north side. Llwyn-on Reservoir also has the Garwnant Visitor Centre nearby for refreshments.

Visitors frequently praise the scenic beauty and the abundance of outdoor activities. Many enjoy the extensive network of hiking and biking trails, the opportunities for wildlife observation, and the peaceful atmosphere of the conifer forests. The stunning views across Pontsticill Reservoir are particularly popular.

Pontsticill Reservoir is highly regarded for cycling. Its western shore features a tarmac road, ideal for picking up speed, while the eastern shore offers a gravel track. The West Shore Road specifically provides a fun tarmac alternative with great viewpoints.

While not a large lake, Pontsarn Blue Pool is a unique natural feature. It's a lovely spot to sit and rest, located along the Taff Trail and part of a nature reserve, offering a different kind of water experience compared to the larger reservoirs.