At a glance
The largest natural lake in Wales — 4 miles long at Bala in southern Snowdonia. Home of the unique gwyniad fish (found nowhere else on earth), the Bala Lake narrow-gauge railway, and excellent watersports. Free lakeside access. LL23 7SR.
About Llyn Tegid — Bala Lake
Llyn Tegid — Bala Lake — is the largest natural lake in Wales and one of the most significant in Britain. It occupies a glacially carved trough in the valley of the Dee at approximately 161 metres above sea level, flanked by the Aran mountains to the west and the Berwyn range to the east. At 4 miles long, 1 mile wide and up to 42 metres deep, the lake is large enough to generate significant wind waves and has served as a venue for national and international watersports competitions.
The lake is famous among naturalists as the only location on earth where the gwyniad (Coregonus pennantii) is found — a pale, silver whitefish of the salmon family that has been isolated in these waters since the last Ice Age retreated approximately 10,000 years ago. Stranded in the lake as the glaciers melted and sea levels rose, the gwyniad has evolved in complete isolation and is now found nowhere else. It is a critically endangered species, present in modest but stable numbers and the subject of careful conservation.
The River Tryweryn flows into the western end of the lake from a reservoir above — the Canolfan Tryweryn (National Whitewater Centre) on the Tryweryn uses the controlled releases from the Llyn Celyn reservoir above to create a consistent white water course. This is one of the few internationally graded white water venues in the UK where the flow is guaranteed by reservoir management rather than rainfall.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Llyn Tegid is the largest natural lake in Wales, measuring approximately 4 miles (6.5 km) long and 1 mile (1.5 km) wide. It reaches a maximum depth of approximately 42 metres. The lake sits at 161 metres above sea level in the Dee valley, drained by the River Dee (Afon Dyfrdwy) at its northeastern end. The Dee flows north from the lake through the Vale of Llangollen and eventually to Chester.
The gwyniad (Coregonus pennantii) is a species of whitefish found only in Llyn Tegid — it exists nowhere else on earth. A glacial relict that has been isolated in the lake since the last Ice Age (approximately 10,000 years ago), it evolved in complete isolation and is now classified as a critically endangered species. The gwyniad cannot be legally caught or eaten and is the subject of a conservation programme to prevent its extinction if the lake's water quality deteriorates.
Llyn Tegid is one of the premier watersports lakes in Wales. Activities include sailing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and open water swimming. The Bala Adventure and Watersports Centre provides equipment hire and instruction. The River Tryweryn, which flows into the lake, hosts international-standard white water rafting and kayaking at the National Whitewater Centre (Canolfan Tryweryn) 3 miles west of Bala.
The Bala Lake Railway (Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid) is a narrow-gauge heritage railway running for 4.5 miles along the southern shore of Llyn Tegid from Bala to Llanuwchllyn. The railway uses the trackbed of the former standard-gauge Great Western Railway branch and operates steam locomotives on a seasonal basis (Easter to October). Adult return fares from approximately £12. The lakeside views from the carriages are outstanding.
Yes — Llyn Tegid is the lake of Tegid Foel in Welsh mythology, the husband of the goddess Ceridwen who possessed the cauldron of inspiration and wisdom. The medieval tale of Taliesin — one of the central stories of Welsh mythology — is set on the lake's shores. According to the legend, the original village of Bala lies beneath the present waters, drowned as punishment for the wickedness of its prince.
Yes — Llyn Tegid is a popular fishing lake for pike, perch, roach, bream and the native brown trout. Day and season permits are available from the Bala Angling Association. The gwyniad cannot be targeted, caught or eaten — it is a protected species. The River Dee above and below the lake also offers salmon and sea trout fishing in season.