At a glance
Llyn Teyrn (LL55 4UU) — a small, quiet mountain lake beside the Miners' Track, 45 minutes from Pen-y-Pass. Less visited than Llyn Llydaw above. Wild swimming (cold · standard mountain safety rules). Snowdon Sherpa bus to Pen-y-Pass. Free. Best May–September.
About Llyn Teyrn
Llyn Teyrn (Lake of the King) sits in a slight hollow beside the Miners' Track, passed by thousands of Snowdon walkers who rarely stop — they are bound for the larger Llyn Llydaw above, or for the summit itself. This means the lake retains a quieter quality than the main cwm lakes: a small, sheltered pool at 380 m, with views up to the Crib Goch ridge and the Snowdon Horseshoe ridgeline, the path running close by its southern shore. The name links it to Arthurian legend — the King's Lake, one of several Snowdonia lakes with mythological associations.
For wild swimmers, Llyn Teyrn offers a shorter walk-in than Llyn Llydaw and a slightly more sheltered environment — the lake is small, somewhat warmer than the higher cwm lakes, and the immediate proximity of the popular Miners' Track path means other walkers are never far away (a reassurance for less experienced mountain visitors). The setting is dramatic enough for a memorable swim: encircled by moorland, the great ridgeline of the Snowdon Horseshoe visible above, and the distinctive silhouette of Y Lliwedd filling the skyline to the south.
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.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Llyn Teyrn is a small mountain lake at 380 m beside the Miners' Track on the approach to Snowdon's summit, approximately 0.8 miles from Pen-y-Pass. It sits just below the main glacial cwm that contains the larger Llyn Llydaw — most Miners' Track walkers pass Llyn Teyrn without stopping, heading for the more dramatic Llyn Llydaw above. This gives the lake a quieter character: a sheltered pool in a slight hollow beside the path, surrounded by heather moorland and with views up towards the Crib Goch ridge. The name Llyn Teyrn means "Lake of the King" — associated with Arthurian legend.
Llyn Teyrn is a reasonable choice for wild swimmers who want a shorter walk-in than Llyn Llydaw requires — approximately 45 minutes from Pen-y-Pass versus 1.5 hours for Llydaw. The lake is small (only about 200 m long) and relatively shallow in places, warming slightly more than the deeper Llyn Llydaw above. The water is cold — mountain drainage, exposed at altitude — but cleaner and less exposed to cold winds than the higher lake. The Miners' Track path runs past the lake, meaning other walkers pass throughout the day, which makes it a less isolated environment than the more remote Snowdonia swimming lakes. Standard safety rules apply: never alone, enter slowly, know your exit. Nearest A&E: Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor LL57 2PW, tel: 01248 384384.
Yes — the Miners' Track continues past Llyn Teyrn for approximately 0.5 miles to the much larger Llyn Llydaw (440 m), with Snowdon's summit ridge visible directly above. Both lakes can be visited on the same walk: from Pen-y-Pass (LL55 4UU), the Miners' Track reaches Llyn Teyrn at approximately 45 minutes, then Llyn Llydaw at approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. The path continues beyond Llyn Llydaw to the upper Glaslyn cwm and eventually the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon, 1,085 m) at approximately 3 hours from Pen-y-Pass. For a wild swimming day without attempting the summit, stopping at Llyn Llydaw for a swim and returning to Pen-y-Pass makes a satisfying 3–4 hour outing.
The Miners' Track is one of Snowdon's busiest routes, particularly in July and August when thousands of people ascend towards the summit daily. The lake is passed by most of these walkers — on a busy summer day there may be a steady stream of people along the path beside the lake. In spring and autumn (May–June, September–October) the path is considerably quieter, and outside the school holiday period even summer weekdays are more manageable. The lake is at its most peaceful in the early morning (before 8am) — arriving at Pen-y-Pass at 6–7am gives a completely different experience from the busy mid-morning peak. In winter (November–March) the mountain requires winter walking equipment but is very quiet.
Pen-y-Pass car park (LL55 4UU, at the summit of the Llanberis Pass on the A4086) is the starting point for the Miners' Track and PYG Track to Snowdon. It is one of the most congested car parks in North Wales — in summer it fills before 8am, and queues form on the pass road. The Snowdon Sherpa bus services are strongly recommended: S2 from Llanberis, S4 from Nant Peris and Betws-y-Coed. The Pen-y-Pass car park charges apply and are among the highest in North Wales. Arriving very early (before 7am) or using the Sherpa bus are the two reliable strategies for accessing the Miners' Track trailhead in summer.