Llyn Coch

Llyn Coch is a small mountain lake in Gwynedd, north Wales, inside Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. It sits in Cwm Clogwyn, a glacial hollow on the western side of Yr Wyddfa, better known as Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. In Welsh, "coch" means red, so the name translates as Red Lake. Several Welsh lakes share the name, so check the location: this one lies on the Snowdon side of the park.

Where is Llyn Coch?

The lake lies in Cwm Clogwyn, close to Llyn Glas and Llyn Nadroedd, at roughly 53.069 N, 4.093 W. No dedicated path leads to it. Walkers see it and pass near it while climbing Snowdon by the Snowdon Ranger Path.

How do you get there?

The Snowdon Ranger Path starts at Llyn Cwellyn car park off the A4085 (grid reference SH 564 551). The Sherpa'r Wyddfa bus stops at the Snowdon Ranger hostel across the road. From Caernarfon take the S3 or S4. From Porthmadog take the S3 and change at Beddgelert. The national park grades the route as hard: about 13 km there and back, roughly 936 m of ascent and around six hours. You need Ordnance Survey Explorer OL17 and sound navigation skills.

What will you see on the way?

The path climbs gently to Moel Cynghorion, then crosses to the pass of Bwlch Cwm Brwynog. On the right you pass the small lake Llyn Ffynnon y Gwas, and below you Llyn Cwellyn stretches out with Mynydd Mawr rising behind it. Above, the trail climbs steeply over the cliffs of Clogwyn Du'r Arddu and joins the Llanberis Path. The views of Llyn Glas, Llyn Coch and Llyn Nadroedd in Cwm Clogwyn are among the highlights of this stretch.

Is there a legend attached to the lake?

Yes. Local tradition called Llyn Coch a favourite home of the Tylwth Teg, the Welsh fairy folk. The best-known tale is that of the Fairy Bride. A farmer spots a lovely face beneath the water and tricks a fairy woman into staying with him. Her father agrees to the marriage on one condition: her husband must never strike her with clay. Years later the farmer clips her by accident with a spadeful of earth, and she returns to the lake for good.

When should you go?

The Snowdon Ranger Path is regarded as the oldest of the six main routes up the mountain. It takes its name from John Morton, who built an inn on the shore of Llyn Cwellyn in the 19th century. The building is now a youth hostel. Weather in Eryri changes fast, so pick a day with good visibility and carry warm waterproofs.

Frequently asked questions

What does Llyn Coch mean? It is Welsh for Red Lake.

Is there a separate trail to the lake? No. You reach its surroundings on the Snowdon Ranger Path from Llyn Cwellyn car park.

How hard is the walk? The national park rates it hard and recommends it to fit walkers who can navigate.

Is this the only lake with this name in Wales? No, the name is common. The lake described here lies in Cwm Clogwyn below Snowdon.