At a glance
Llyn Mymbyr at Capel Curig is famous for producing one of the most reproduced mountain photographs in Wales: the Snowdon Horseshoe reflected perfectly in its still surface on a calm morning. Easily accessible from the A4086 road, free to visit, and the starting point for kayaking sessions at nearby Plas y Brenin — a must-stop on any Snowdonia itinerary.
About Llyn Mymbyr
The A4086 road between Capel Curig and Pen-y-Pass carries thousands of vehicles each week, most of them heading for Snowdon's car parks or the Ogwen Valley. Almost every driver slows instinctively at the same point: where the road curves along the southern shore of Llyn Mymbyr and the full arc of the Snowdon Horseshoe appears on the south-western horizon. In winter, with snow on the peaks and the lake surface still in the calm of early morning, the reflection in the water matches the mountain group so precisely that the image looks like a fabrication. It is not.
The two connected lakes — Llyn Mymbyr and the smaller Llyn Goddionduon — lie in the wide, flat floor of the Capel Curig valley, a glacially sculpted trough running east to west between the Carneddau and Glyderau ridges. The lakes are shallow and reed-margined at their eastern end, deepening westward. The water is clear and cold, fed by streams from the surrounding mountains and draining westward into the Glaslyn system. Plas y Brenin — the National Mountain Sports Centre — occupies the western shore and uses the lake for kayaking and canoeing instruction through the outdoor education season.
For photographers, the commitment required is simply time. The famous reflection demands a windless morning — which rules out most afternoons in Snowdonia — and the direction of the sun means the best light falls in the early hours. Walkers who emerge from Capel Curig accommodation before dawn and position themselves on the south shore before sunrise encounter the mountain in its most concentrated form: utterly silent, perfectly mirrored, the summit ridge catching the first light while the valley is still in shadow.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Llyn Mymbyr is famous for one specific view: looking south-west along the lake towards the Snowdon Horseshoe — the arc of peaks comprising Y Lliwedd, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon summit), Crib Goch, and Crib y Ddysgl. On calm mornings with wind-free water, this mountain group is reflected perfectly in the lake surface, creating one of the most reproduced landscape images in Wales.
Dawn on a calm, clear morning in autumn or winter gives the best conditions for the famous reflection. The low sun illuminates the Snowdon Horseshoe directly while the lake surface remains undisturbed by wind. Arrive before sunrise and wait by the southern shore. Mist in the valley can add drama, but lift with the sun if you are patient.
Yes. Llyn Mymbyr is used by the Plas y Brenin National Mountain Sports Centre for kayaking and canoeing instruction. Independent paddlers can launch from the lake shore with their own equipment. The lake has two connected sections and the surrounding mountains give any paddle an exceptional backdrop.
Technically two: Llyn Mymbyr and the smaller Llyn Goddionduon are connected by a short channel and the system is often referred to as a single lake. The A4086 road from Capel Curig to Pen-y-Pass runs along the southern shore, giving one of the most accessible mountain lake views in Snowdonia — visible from the car window without any walking required.
A circular walk around both lakes takes about 45 minutes on a combination of the road and rough footpaths along the north shore. More ambitious walks begin at Capel Curig and head into the Glyderau, Carneddau, or south towards Snowdon's starting point at Pen-y-Gwryd.
Several lay-bys on the A4086 along the south shore give direct access to the lakeside view. Plas y Brenin has a car park half a mile west. Capel Curig village has additional parking. On busy summer weekends, the lay-bys fill quickly in the morning.