Lake Vyrnwy and Dam – Hirnant Pass loop from Foel

Bike touring routes & trails

Lake Vyrnwy and Dam – Hirnant Pass loop from Foel

Hard

riders

Lake Vyrnwy and Dam – Hirnant Pass loop from Foel

05:51

86.1km

1,370m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: November 7, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Y Berwyn National Nature Reserve

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

16.4 km

Vyrnwy Dam

Highlight • Lake

The Vyrnwy Dam features a road bridge atop its structure with 31 arches. The dam, notable for being the first with drainage tunnels to prevent pressure build-up, is further characterised by two small towers, each boasting four corner turrets.

Recognised for its historical significance, the Vyrnwy Dam holds a Grade I listing as a historic building.

Tip by

16.6 km

Lake Vyrnwy and Dam

Highlight • Bridge

Park at the very top of the Lake if arriving in a car. Note that some sections can get closed due to rock falls at the top of the Lake near the Waterfall Car Park.

Tip by

18.2 km

Lake Vyrnwy Straining Tower

Highlight • Monument

Lake Vyrnwy (Welsh: Llyn Efyrnwy, pronounced [ɛˈvərnʊɨ] or Llyn Llanwddyn) is a reservoir in Powys, Wales, built in the 1880s for Liverpool Corporation Waterworks to supply Liverpool with fresh water. It flooded the head of the Vyrnwy (Welsh: Afon Efyrnwy) valley and submerged the village of Llanwddyn.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

29.0 km

Hirnant Pass

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

The road from Bala Lake to Lake Vyrnwy is simply one of the most challenging, scenic and highest rides through the Welsh mountains. If you’re fit enough you will find it one of the greatest rides in the British Isles.

Tip by

40.7 km

Bala Town Centre

Highlight • Settlement

Bala is a town and community in Gwynedd, Wales. Formerly an urban district, Bala lies in the historic county of Merionethshire at the north end of Bala Lake. it has a wonderful village style feeling, and everyone speaks Welsh, which is truly amazing to hear.
They have some good shops and supermarkets. They have tiny little petrol stations on the curb, and they attendant comes out and serves you. Great roads in this area and some can be very steep in these parts, plenty of cyclists and motorcycles well worth a ride.

Tip by

44.5 km

Llangower Station and Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid)

Highlight • Lake

Bala Lake (Welsh: Llyn Tegid) is a glacial lake fed by the River Dee. At 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long by 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide, it's a popular spot for water sports. The narrow gauge Bala Lake Railway runs between Bala town and Llanuwchllyn

Tip by