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Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

By Dave Roberts   

on September 2, 2014    5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, Snowdonia National Park, The Glyderau, Wales, Walks with Lakes in Snowdonia

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Route Essentials

Route Summary

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

3.7 km

Ascent

269 m

Time

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Difficulty

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

This a short, but satisfying walk from Ogwen into Cwm Idwal and then up to Cwm Bochlwyd in the Glyderau. Worth doing for the views at every single point along the walk, especially Cwm Idwal and you haven’t the time to make it to the tops. We did it as an evening walk with the main aim to get some photos taken rather than breaking a sweat.

The route starts off from Idwal Cottage, along the easy steps behind the new cafe / visitor centre. Take note of the collection box before the bridge if you want to support the National Trust to maintain these footpaths. These are popping up a lot recently, but I’ve not heard of any particular campaign to raise awareness.

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Follow this easy and well made path all the way up to Cwm Idwal.

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

If you want to extend the walk, then around the lake is a natural extension, but after taking a few photos of Pen yr Ole Wen and the stream, we decided to head on up to Cwm Bochlwyd.Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Follow the path along the eastern shore of the lake until you reach a wall and a gate. Pass through this and then head directly uphill, towards a natural pass to the the right of Colgwyn y Tarw. This section is steep – make no bones about it- and badly eroded in places, needing care.

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

The path soon relents, and you’re crossing the grassy lower shoulder of Y Gribin ridge (which this is an approach) and Tryfan begins to dominate the view once again.

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Llyn Bochlwyd is another spectacular spot to stop, and so we did, even if the whole walk was only 5km in total (as we’d parked in the layby).

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Follow the path along the shore, and turn left along the outlet stream to follow a steep path downhill. It’s well made in places, but badly eroded in others.

After the steep section, the path relents and while it crosses some wet areas, is raised so you avoid the worst of it before rejoining the original path back down to the starting point.

Cwm Idwal and Llyn Bochlwyd Mid Level Snowdonia Walk

Llyn Bochlwyd
Cwm Idwal

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Route Start Location:

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
3.7 km 269 m

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: 

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

none noted

Hazards

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Public Transport:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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