Llyn Egnant

Llyn Egnant is a mountain lake in the Cambrian Mountains of Ceredigion, mid Wales, close to the village of Pontrhydfendigaid and the ruins of Strata Florida Abbey. It belongs to the Teifi Pools, a cluster of six lakes and reservoirs scattered over the moorland of east Ceredigion, and it is the easternmost of them.

What is Llyn Egnant?

"Llyn" is Welsh for lake. Egnant is part of a dammed water-supply system dating from the late nineteenth century, which the Coflein heritage record describes together with its neighbour Llyn Teifi. Today the site is managed by Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru), and an access road runs along the west bank from the dam. The surroundings are empty, open and rarely visited, with no tourist facilities of any kind.

How do you get there?

A narrow single-track road leads towards the Teifi Pools from Strata Florida and Pontrhydfendigaid. The usual walk starts near the abbey, follows the Nant Egnant stream up its valley, climbs gently to a col on the left side, and reaches Llyn Egnant before dropping to Llyn Teifi. Published routes vary from roughly 10 to 15 km as a loop, so check the version you choose.

The first gate on the access track is normally unlocked, but driving beyond it is meant for anglers holding a permit. Confirm current rules before going further.

What will you see?

• A quiet sheet of water ringed by Cambrian moorland.
• The other lakes in the group: Llyn Teifi, the largest, which is the source of the River Teifi flowing down to Cardigan, plus Llyn Hir and Llyn y Gorlan. A narrow ridge, Graig Felen, separates Llyn Teifi from those two.
• A memorial plaque to Moc Morgan, the Welsh naturalist and broadcaster, who visited often.
• The dam, with danger and keep-out notices posted by Welsh Water.

Can you fish here?

Yes. Anglers prize Llyn Egnant for its wild brown trout. Permits apply, and the site manager sets the rules.

When should you visit?

The ground is open and boggy, so dry spells from late spring to early autumn work best; paths get soggy after rain. Carry a 1:25,000 map, because one stretch after leaving the shore of Llyn Teifi needs careful navigation. Phone signal can be poor and there is no shelter.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Llyn Egnant? In the Cambrian Mountains of east Ceredigion, Wales, near Strata Florida and Pontrhydfendigaid.

Is it the same as Llyn Teifi? No. Llyn Teifi is a separate lake, the largest in the group and the source of the Teifi. Egnant lies furthest east.

Do I need a permit to visit? Walkers can reach the lake on foot from the Strata Florida side. The track beyond the first gate is for permit-holding anglers, and Welsh Water's notices at the dams must be respected.

Is the walk easy? It is rated easy to moderate, but the terrain is boggy and sparsely waymarked, so a map helps.