Lake Vyrnwy is a region in Powys, Wales, nestled within the Berwyn Mountains. This area is defined by its large artificial reservoir, set amidst a diverse landscape of mountains, expansive moorlands, and dense woodlands. The varied terrain and natural features provide a setting for several outdoor sports like touring cycling, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
The Lake Vyrnwy region offers more than 20 routes for outdoor activities, catering to several sports like touring cycling, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. More than 9,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 stars. Cyclists can explore the 11.3-mile (18.2 km) circuit around the lake or venture onto forest tracks and challenging climbs into the surrounding hills, with options detailed in guides like Cycling around Lake Vyrnwy and MTB Trails around Lake Vyrnwy. Hikers will find a range of trails, from short, easy strolls to more demanding paths through woodlands and to waterfalls, as highlighted in Hiking around Lake Vyrnwy.
62
Routes
4.5
(147)
Average rating
1730
People visited

4.6
(18)
219
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(16)
237
riders
18.2km
01:08
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
33.4km
02:31
620m
620m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

36
riders
21.5km
01:41
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(21)
133
hikers
6.22km
01:53
200m
200m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(12)
90
hikers
27.3km
07:25
380m
380m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(13)
68
hikers
12.4km
04:19
640m
640m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(8)
217
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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38
riders
82.6km
04:11
1,370m
1,370m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

37
riders
55.3km
02:33
590m
590m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

18
riders
75.2km
03:43
970m
970m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

15
riders
45.6km
02:16
660m
660m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
4
riders
42.9km
04:29
1,420m
1,420m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
11
riders
28.8km
02:46
720m
720m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
15.2km
01:26
430m
420m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
6
riders
22.0km
01:53
440m
440m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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35
runners
11.8km
01:30
270m
270m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
6.17km
00:46
210m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
runners
5.69km
00:36
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
7.72km
00:53
170m
170m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Lake Vyrnwy offers a range of outdoor activities including touring cycling, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, and jogging. The region features more than 20 routes, with an average rating of 4.56 stars from over 9,000 visitors.
A popular touring cycling route is the 11.3-mile (18.2 km) path that circles the lake. Another option is the 13.3-mile (21.4 km) Lake Vyrnwy Dam loop. For more details, consult the Cycling around Lake Vyrnwy guide.
Yes, more ambitious touring cyclists can undertake routes like the Llyn Efyrnwy / Lake Vyrnwy to Llyn Tegid / Bala Lake high pass loop, which is a challenging 34.4-mile (55.4 km) trail with significant elevation gain. The area also offers mountain biking on forest tracks and climbs into the surrounding hills.
Lake Vyrnwy provides miles of forest tracks that ascend to moorlands, offering panoramic views of the Berwyn Mountains and Snowdonia. For more information on mountain biking, refer to the MTB Trails around Lake Vyrnwy guide.
Yes, Lake Vyrnwy offers family-friendly options, including easy hikes and the relatively flat lakeside cycling path. Specific family-friendly hiking routes are detailed in the Family-friendly hikes around Lake Vyrnwy guide.
Yes, there are dog-friendly hiking options available in the Lake Vyrnwy area. Information on suitable routes can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes around Lake Vyrnwy guide.
Lake Vyrnwy is an artificial reservoir surrounded by mountains, moorlands, and woodlands. Key features include the iconic straining tower, the massive stone dam, and numerous waterfalls. The area is also part of the Berwyn Mountains, offering extensive views.
Yes, bike hire is available near the dam at Lake Vyrnwy. This makes cycling accessible for visitors who do not bring their own equipment.
Lake Vyrnwy is a significant wildlife haven, particularly for birds, with around 90 species breeding on the reserve. Peregrine falcons, pied flycatchers, and redstarts are among the birds present. Otters, bats, butterflies, and dragonflies also inhabit the area.
Komoot offers several guides for Lake Vyrnwy, including Cycling around Lake Vyrnwy, Hiking around Lake Vyrnwy, and MTB Trails around Lake Vyrnwy. There are also guides for family-friendly and dog-friendly hikes.
The circular route around Lake Vyrnwy is approximately 11.3 miles (18.2 km) long. The time required to complete it depends on cycling speed and stops, but it is generally considered a manageable ride for many skill levels.
Further information about Lake Vyrnwy, including accommodation and general tourism details, can be found on the official Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa website. The RSPB Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve also provides details on conservation and wildlife.

