Llyn Padarn — the long lake below Llanberis, with the Dinorwig Quarry terraces above and Yr Wyddfa visible at the valley head — offers one of the finest kayaking experiences in Eryri. From the lake surface, with a paddle in your hands, the perspective on the surrounding mountains is unique: Yr Wyddfa at the end of the valley in a way that no road provides, the quarry terraces towering above. This is Experience #82 of the Snowdonia 100.
Practical Details
| Hire | Activities at Llanberis, near the lake shore |
| Distance | 3km full lake length |
| Difficulty | Beginner — sheltered lake, calm conditions usual |
| Wind | Can funnel from the Llanberis Pass — check conditions before hiring |
| Best time | Morning, before afternoon winds develop |
The View from Water Level
The view of Yr Wyddfa from Llyn Padarn — looking southeast up the Llanberis Pass — is available from the lakeshore, but from a kayak on the water surface it is qualitatively different. The mountain appears larger, its relationship to the lake immediate, the scale of the landscape more apparent from a position that puts you physically lower than the surrounding terrain. The reflection of the quarry terraces in the lake on a still morning is extraordinary.
Llyn Peris
Llyn Peris, the smaller lake immediately to the southeast, is part of the Dinorwig Power Station complex and may have restricted access — check with the hire operator before paddling in that direction. Llyn Padarn itself is fully accessible and provides an excellent morning's paddling.
Experience #82 of 100 — Challenges and Adventures category.
Independently written — Snowdon.com