Best lakes around Llangors are centered around Llangorse Lake, the largest natural lake in Mid and South Wales, known for its significant wildlife and historical crannog. This glacial lake offers a variety of water-based activities and is a site of international conservation importance. Nearby, the Talybont Reservoir provides scenic beauty and extensive trails, contributing to the area's appeal for outdoor exploration. The region's landscape is characterized by its natural and man-made water features, set against the backdrop of the Brecon…
Last updated: July 13, 2026
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Talybont Reservoir is a great asset to the local scenery and is easy on the eye. It is surrounded by hiking and biking trails, but it is disappointing that this big water source can't be used for water recreation purposes.
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I have been coming up here now for about forty years. There are a variety of routes to here, but each one brings you to this one spot. These lumps of stone and the views are drop-dead gorgeous. Top it off with a visit to the pub afterwards, and it's a good day out. It's also a good run—before you get to the pub, of course!
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A fantastic long, slightly downhill gravel stretch high above Talybont Reservoir, this trail delivers both in terms of adrenaline and views! The track is wide and mostly quiet, though the gravel can be loose and a bit chunky in sections, so a gravel bike, sturdy tourer or mountain bike is best.
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Llangasty (St Gastyn's Church). A lovely place to stop on the southern shore of the largest natural lake in south Wales.
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Grwyne Fawr Reservoir nestles in the valley below Waun Fach, the highest summit in the Black Mountains range on the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. At the reservoir's northern end a bothy, run by the Mountain Bothies Association, is available for free overnight stays with basic facilities. The reservoir itself is a peaceful place, built in the early 20th century but since decommissioned so it no longer supplies drinking water.
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Highly recommend ❤️ Gwyne Fawr Reservoir -is located in the valley of the river Grwyne Fawr in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. Completed in 1928, it has the capacity to hold 400,000,000 imperial gallons of water... There were Serious water shortages in most parts of the historic county of Monmouthshire. In fact By the end of the 19th-century, The area had seen a massive population increase as a result of the steel and coal industries but the supply of water to the area was complicated due to its high altitude. A site for a New Reservoir was chosen at the head of the Grwyne Fawr Valley mainly because at the height of, 1,725 ft / 526m above sea level making it the perfect plan with it being high enough to allow all of the Reservoirs water to be freely gravity fed to Abertillery and the surrounding areas. Work started 1912, but immediately hit numerous problems. The road up the valley could not take the weight of the heavy traction engines used for haulage. So It was decided that a new railway would be required. Then hit the first world war and proceedings were put on hold. Work recommenced 1919, the railway was completed, connected to the main line at Llanvihangel Crucorney. A village of construction workers and their families grew in the valley at Blaen-y-cwm. A community of some 300 people lived there with a hostel, canteen, day school, police station and hospital. Workmen quarried 200,000 tons of sandstone for the construction of the dam. Large boulders weighing up to 5 tons each were set in concrete to form the dam, which is 130 feet thick at its base, the walls were then faced with dressed stone. A 16-inch diameter steel pipeline was tunnelled through Coity Mountain carrying water to a holding reservoir in Cwmtillery. The dam was finally completed in February 1928, after which the railway and structures that served its construction were quickly dismantled including the workers village. The total cost of construction was reported to be £1 million.
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Great way to get up without tackling the tramway
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The primary natural lake is Llangorse Lake (Llyn Syfaddan), the largest natural lake in Mid and South Wales. Nearby, you'll find the significant Talybont Reservoir, which is the largest reservoir in the Brecon Beacons and offers extensive surrounding trails.
Yes, Llangorse Lake is a popular spot for watersports such as boating, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Boat rentals are available, though some areas have conservation restrictions and a permit is required for boating. The Talybont Reservoir, however, is generally not suitable for water recreation activities.
Llangorse Lake is a site of international conservation importance and a haven for wildlife. You can spot a variety of birds, including warblers, coots, swallows, swifts, and large flocks of Canada geese. The elusive water voles and otters may also be present. There's even a dedicated Llangorse Lake Bird Hide for optimal viewing.
Yes, Llangorse Lake is home to the only known crannog (an ancient artificial island) in Wales, which was once the site of a royal palace dating back to the late 9th or early 10th century. This adds a unique historical dimension to your visit.
Both areas offer excellent walking opportunities. Near Llangorse Lake, you can enjoy gentle strolls, though it's not possible to walk all the way around due to private land. For more extensive hiking, explore routes like 'The Lake Trail' or 'Mynydd Llangorse Trig Point – View of Llangorse Lake loop from Llangors'. The Talybont Reservoir is surrounded by excellent hiking and biking trails, including the popular Tor y Foel Summit which offers fine views of the Central Beacons massif. You can find more details on these and other routes in the Easy hikes around Llangors and Hiking around Llangors guides.
Yes, both Llangorse Lake and Talybont Reservoir are considered family-friendly. Llangorse Lake offers gentle walks and watersports, while Talybont Reservoir has easy trails suitable for families. Birdwatching from the Llangorse Lake Bird Hide is also a great activity for all ages.
Yes, Llangorse Lake is renowned for its coarse fishing, particularly for pike, and is considered one of the best pike fishing lakes in Wales. Specimen perch can also be found.
For stunning panoramic views, head to Tor y Foel Summit, which rises above the Talybont Reservoir and offers a fine vantage point of the Central Beacons massif. The dam area of Talybont Reservoir also provides splendid views. For wildlife photography, the Llangorse Lake Bird Hide is ideal.
Absolutely. The Talybont Reservoir area is particularly popular for cycling, with excellent biking trails surrounding it. The Talybont Reservoir Gravel Climb is a highly-rated gravel track that avoids steep road sections and offers stunning views. You can explore more options in the Gravel biking around Llangors guide.
The lakes are beautiful year-round, but spring and summer offer the best conditions for watersports and wildlife viewing, especially birdwatching. Autumn provides stunning foliage around the reservoirs and hillsides. While winter can be cold, it offers a different, serene beauty for walks, though some trails might be muddy or icy.
No, it is not possible to walk all the way around Llangorse Lake. Part of the land surrounding the lake is privately owned, restricting continuous access. However, there are still many enjoyable sections for gentle strolls and dedicated hiking routes in the vicinity.


Still not found your perfect lake around Llangors? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.