Lakes

Cardiff Bay

Cwmbran Lake

Eirias Park Lake

Gresford Flash

Llandegfedd Reservoir

Llangorse Lake

Llyn Clywedog

Llyn Cosmeston

Llyn Cyfartha

Llyn Geiryonydd

Llyn Gwynant

Llyn Llech Owain

Llyn Lliedi
(Swiss Valley Reservoir)

Llyn Padarn

Llyn Pontsticill

Llyn Tegid

Llyn Trawsfynydd

Llyn Vyrnwy

Llynau Mymbyr

Llys-y-Fran

Marine Lake

Usk Reservoir

 

Eirias Park Lake

This is a small boating lake in a public park in Colwyn bay. Access arrangements can be made through the leisure centre manager on 01492 533223.

Grid reference SH859786

 

Gresford Flash

This is a small (10 acre) natural lake between Gresford and Wrexham. It has car parking facilities. Access should be arranged with Gresford sailing club www.gresfordsailingclub.org.uk

Grid reference SJ346536

 

Marine Lake

A 29 acre lake used by the local water ski club and occasionally by canoeists. The lake is saltwater and enclosed by concrete sides and bottom. Car parking is available for a fee. Paddling is permitted by day permit, available on site.

Grid reference SH999805

 

Llyn Tegid

Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) is a 1100 acre lake in North Wales. There are toilets and picnic areas, as well as a lakeside railway and proximity to the town of Bala. Launching fees are payable to Bala Watersports Centre http://www.balawatersports.com

Grid reference SH920355

 

Llyn Clywedog

This is the large (615 acre) lake at the top of the river Clywedog, and has a visitor centre, car parks, slipways, picnic sites and a warden. Charges and access arrangements for canoeing are available through the sailing club www.clywedogsailing.org.uk

Grid reference SN901877

 

Llyn Vyrnwy

This large lake controls the flow regime on the river Vyrnwy and, at 454 acres, provides ample space for paddling. There’s a visitor centre and car parks, and the reservoir is also used for sailing and angling. For more information on booking conditions, contact Dave Proctor on 01691 870 615.

Grid reference SJ015192

 

Llyn Trawsfynydd

This large lake was extended to provide storage for the water needed by Trawsfynydd nuclear power station. Call the Power Station visitor centre for more details on 01766 540622.

Traws-Newid are responsible for Trawsfynydd Lake and if anyone is interested in canoeing on the lake or setting up a canoe club there it may be useful if they contact the Traws-Newid manager, telephone 01766 540400.

Grid reference SH703354

 

Llyn Geiryonydd

This lake is between Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst. The launch point is a slipway on a small slate beach. There is a car park available and toilets at peak times. A charge for launching is made through an honesty box in the car park. It is a very popular watersports destination and is used for windsurfing, waterskiing and, of course, canoeing.

Grid reference SH761603

 

Llyn Gwynant

Lake Gwynant is a 113 acre natural lake on the Afon Glaslyn and is popular with centres and in summer. The campsite controls fees for launching.

Grid reference SH645520

 

Llynau Mymbyr

This is a popular lake near Capel Curig, popular as a starting point for a trip down the river Llugwy. Parking is available in lay-bys along the A4086. Access is available by arrangement with Plas y Brenin www.pyb.co.uk

Grid reference SH705573

 

Llyn Padarn

In Llanberis, Llyn Padarn is a popular lake for watersports in Snowdonia. Access to the water is easy, with sheltered bays which are a good location for instructing if other locations are too windy. There are car parks available – for more details call 01286 870 892. Formerly a fee was charged for launching. After lobbying, the charge has been discontinued.

Grid reference SH572610

 

Llyn Pontsticill

This is a large (253 acre) reservoir, just north of Merthyr Tydfil, with paths, trails, picnic areas, toilets and viewpoints. There are two car parks and canoeing is allowed by arrangement with Welsh Water on 01495 769 281.

Grid reference SO061119

 

Llyn Cosmeston

This natural lake is located between Barry and Penarth in a 200 acre Country Park that was built on derelict land that used to be a quarry. Facilities at the lake include picnic and barbeque areas, visitor information, toilets and parking. Cosmeston Country Park is mainly used for informal recreation: angling, sailing, sub-aqua, model boating, rowing and, of course, canoeing are all regular activities. The Local Authority manages the lake and its associated facilities - for more information call 02920 701678

Grid reference ST178692

 

Llyn Cyfartha

Just outside Merthyr Tydfil, Llyn Cyfartha is run by the local authority.

Please contact Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council for Details.

Grid reference SO039073

 

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay

Nearby Rivers: Cardiff Area - Taff, Rhymney and Ebbw

The Welsh Canoeing Association is working in partnership with Cardiff Harbour Authority to develop a centre of paddle-sport excellence in Cardiff Bay. The first phase of this project will be open on Friday the 25th of March 2005. Full terms and conditions are available at Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre, Jim Driscoll Way, Grangetown, Cardiff, 029 20378161.

All participants must:

  • Have evidence of WCA or affiliated organisation membership (BCU, SCA, CANI)

  • Be 11 years of age or older

  • Have evidence of having passed the One Star Award

  • Paddle in groups of two or more

  • Sign on and off the water at Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre

  • Complete and return the water quality questionnaire within one week of their visit

  • Pay launching fee

When on the water, you can paddle on the inland lagoon (staying to its perimeter), the river Taff up to Blackweir and the river Ely up to Wiggans Teape. Please do not approach the Barrage Sluices or Locks and stay on the outside of the boomed wetlands area. Please note that the only access point is the slipway at Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre.

 

 

 

Llys-y-Fran

This is a reservoir at the top of the Afon Syfynwy in Pembrokeshire, not too far from Haverfordwest. It is popular for canoeing, walking, birdwatching and angling. There is a visitor centre with a café, shop, toilets, trails and picnic areas and parking for over 300 cars.

Canoeing is allowed from 15 March to 31 October, and there is a charge for launching.

For more details, phone the visitor’s centre on 01437 532273.

Grid reference SN037250

 

Llyn Lliedi (Swiss Valley Reservoir)

There are two reservoirs built in Cwm Lliedi (also known as the Swiss Valley), and paddling is allowed on the bottom reservoir. Just north of Llanelli, it was built in 1878 to provide water for the area’s growing metalwork industries and domestic needs. There is a small car park but no other facilities, and the 34 acre lake is used for canoeing, angling and sailing.

For organised groups, call Welsh Water on 01495 769 281 to arrange details.

Grid reference SN515042

 

Llyn Llech Owain

Managed by Carmarthenshire County Council, Llyn Llech Owain is located in Parc Gwledig, near Llanelli. The 10 acre lake is surrounded by peat bog with a network of paths from the visitor centre.

Limited canoeing is allowed between August and February. For more details, call the visitor centre on 01269 832229.

Grid reference SN568150

 

Cwmbran Lake

A small (3 acre) lake in Gwent that is used for canoeing and angling. Car parking is available and a charge is made for launching. Call 01633 867 642 for more details.

Grid reference ST304940

 

Llandegfedd Reservoir

This is a large (429 acre) reservoir with several car parks, refreshments, picnic areas and trails and a shop at the sailing school. It is used for a variety of watersports and paddling is permitted between 1st March and 31st October. Canoes and equipment are available to hire from the sailing school – buoyancy aids and insurance are essential. A day charge is made for launching.

Grid reference ST328986

 

Llangorse Lake

Near to Brecon, this is a large lake that is popular for a variety of watersports. The 400 acre lake has car parking facilities, picnic sites, camping and toilets. Permits are available from the Caravan Park and can be purchased either daily or as season tickets.

Grid reference SO128270

 

Usk Reservoir

West of Sennybridge, this 280 acre reservoir’s near the source of the Usk. Access is only available to organised groups – for more information contact Welsh Water on 01495 769 281

Grid reference SN832286