Bala Lake / Llyn Tegid at Bala & Penllyn

Bala Lake, or Llyn Tegid, is over four miles long and a mile wide at it's widest point, making it the largest natural lake in Wales. It is an important home for the rare 'gwyniad' fish - a species that became trapped in the lake at the end of the last Ice age some 10,000 years ago. It is a member of the whitefish family, and is only found in Llyn Tegid.

The lake takes its name from Tegid Foel, a character in the Mabinogi, the collection of early native Welsh tales, in which he is the husband of Ceridwen the enchantress.

There are two sailing clubs on the lake and hire facilitates for canoeing and sailing at the Bala end of the lake.

Alternatively you can sit back, relax and view the lake from the narrow-gauge railway which runs along the east shore of the lake from Llanuwchllyn to Bala and is a great favourite of children.

There are many mountain streams and fast flowing rivers in the area, providing excellent game fishing. There are several impressive waterfalls and the highest waterfall in Wales, Pistyll Rhaeadr (240 ft high), is found on the east side of the Berwyn Mountains, see picture. It can be visited in a scenic drive over the Berwyns or combined with a mountain walk.

The River Tryweryn between Llyn Celyn and Bala provides "reliable" white-water, with regular water releases guaranteeing good water conditions. The river is the home of Canolfan Tryweryn the National Whitewater Centre, an extremely popular venue for whitewater rafting, kayaking or canoeing.

The River Dee flows in and out of Bala Lake before continuing to Corwen and Llangollen. Another popular section of white-water runs through Llangollen, where there is a permanent white-water site with class 2-3 white-water.

For more detailed information about Bala Lake or the wildlife visit the Warden's Office on the Lake Foreshore in Bala.

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