Llyn Geirionydd Circular
Conwy
Llyn Geirionydd is a popular lakeside picnic spot in Gwydir Forest, within Eryri National Park, reputedly home to the 6th century poet Taliesin, whose monument, Colofn Taliesin, stands on the lake's north bank. With no livestock around the lake, a dog with reasonable recall can go off lead on the quieter western path, though the eastern lane carries light traffic. The car park at the south eastern end sits on a waste tip from an old lead mine, a reminder this was industrial land into the 1870s, and the eastern shore road follows the old Pandora Mine tramway. A waymarked circular trail follows this lane before crossing the River Geirionydd at the north end and returning along the western shore, below Mynydd Deulyn, with views across the water to the forest and hills. The full circuit is an easy 3.5km walk with gentle climbing.
This is a dog friendly walk with no livestock to worry about, so a dog with reasonable recall can enjoy moderate off-lead freedom on the quieter western shore path, while a lead suits the eastern lane, shared with occasional traffic. The lake gives a dog the chance to drink or paddle from the shore, and the surrounding forest offers shade. Old mine workings around the car park and lower slopes are a legacy of the site's industrial past, so watch for uneven ground off the main path. There is no cafe here, though toilets and a picnic area are at the car park, and Llyn Crafnant's lakeside cafe is about half a mile west on foot.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 5 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets and picnic area at the car park; no cafe at the lake itself.
- Parking
- Llyn Geirionydd car park, south eastern end of the lake.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Llyn Geirionydd Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in ConwyFrequently Asked Questions
Is Llyn Geirionydd Circular dog friendly?
Llyn Geirionydd Circular is a great choice for dogs, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. There's no livestock around the lake, the 3.5km circuit is easy going, and the lake itself gives dogs the chance to drink or paddle from the shore. Shade from the surrounding Gwydir Forest adds a nice bonus on warmer days.
Can dogs be off lead at Llyn Geirionydd Circular?
Dogs with reasonable recall can enjoy off-lead freedom on the quieter western shore path, which forms part of the circular route. The eastern lane is a different matter — it carries light traffic, so keeping your dog on a lead there is the sensible call. As long as your dog responds reliably, they should have a good run of it for much of the walk.
What should I know before visiting Llyn Geirionydd Circular with my dog?
The car park sits on the site of an old lead mine, and there are mine workings on the lower slopes too, so it's worth sticking to the main path and watching your footing on uneven ground nearby. There's no cafe at the lake itself, but toilets and a picnic area are available at the car park, and Llyn Crafnant's lakeside cafe is around half a mile away on foot if you fancy a post-walk stop. The eastern lane sees occasional vehicles, so pop a lead on for that stretch of the route.
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