At a glance
A clear glacial lake at the foot of Snowdon in Llanberis — designated swim area, lake beach and watersports hire within Padarn Country Park. Free swimming; no lifeguard. Water typically 12–18°C in summer; wetsuit recommended. Car park LL55 4EL.
Safety information
Wild swimming carries serious risks. Never swim alone. Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. Enter the water gradually to avoid cold-water shock. Know your exit point before you start. Wear a tow float and consider a wetsuit even in summer — Welsh lake and sea temperatures rarely exceed 16°C.
In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard (sea) or Police / Mountain Rescue (lakes & rivers). Nearest A&E: Ysbyty Gwynedd, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor LL57 2PW. Tel: 01248 384 384.
About Llyn Padarn
Llyn Padarn — "St Padarn's Lake" — is a glacially carved lake on the northwestern edge of Llanberis, occupying the lower end of the Llanberis Pass beneath Snowdon. At 3 km long and up to 29 metres deep, it is one of the larger lakes in Snowdonia and one of the most accessible for swimming — its southern shore forms the lakeside of Padarn Country Park, a managed green space with level paths, car parking and watersports facilities.
The lake is home to the Arctic charr — a glacial relict fish that survived in these deep Welsh lakes after the last Ice Age and has been isolated here ever since. The water is correspondingly clear and cold, draining from the slate mountains above rather than from agricultural land, giving it the excellent water quality that makes it one of the best wild swimming environments in North Wales.
The view from the water looking east is directly up the Llanberis Pass toward the Snowdon massif — the railway visible climbing the ridge on the far side of the valley. Dolbadarn Castle, a 13th-century Welsh round tower, stands on the rocky promontory between the two Llanberis lakes at the eastern end of Padarn — visible from the swimming area and free to visit on foot from the park.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Llyn Padarn is one of the most well-established wild swimming spots in Snowdonia, with a designated swimming area and lake beach within Padarn Country Park. The lake is clear and glacially cold (typically 12–18°C in summer). There is no lifeguard service — swim within your ability and never alone. The water is cold year-round and cold water shock is a real risk for unprepared swimmers. A wetsuit is recommended, especially outside June–August.
Beyond swimming, Llyn Padarn supports kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and open water swimming events. A watersports hire centre at the lakeside provides equipment rental. The lake is 3 km long and 1 km wide — large enough for a proper paddle tour. The Llanberis Tri-athlon and various open water swimming events use the lake regularly.
Padarn Country Park is a 330-acre park surrounding Llyn Padarn on the edge of Llanberis, managed by Gwynedd Council. It includes the lakeside walk (a 3-mile circular route), the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle (a 13th-century Welsh tower castle, free to visit), the Welsh Slate Museum, and a children's adventure playground. The park is free to enter, with car parking charges. It makes the lake feel far more accessible than many Snowdonia wild swimming spots.
Llyn Padarn is a glacially carved mountain lake and remains cold year-round. Typical summer temperatures (June–August) are 12–18°C — cool enough that a wetsuit is recommended for extended swimming. In spring and autumn, temperatures drop to 8–12°C; in winter, the lake can approach 4–6°C. Cold water shock at these temperatures can be dangerous — enter the water gradually and acclimatise before swimming.
Yes — Llanberis is the natural base for Snowdon, and Llyn Padarn is within the village. The Llanberis Path up Snowdon starts from the village (the railway starts from the same point), and the lake is an obvious and rewarding post-walk swim on the return. The Snowdon Mountain Railway terminus is a 10-minute walk from the lake. A swim and a summit in the same day is very achievable from Llanberis.
Yes — Padarn Country Park has a large car park at the lakeside (LL55 4EL). Parking is charged. The car park is very busy in summer — arriving early (before 9am) is strongly recommended on sunny weekends. Alternatively, Llanberis has several pay car parks in the village a 5-minute walk from the lake.