SnapsbyTK

After what felt like a long and frustrating five months dealing with health issues — and the disappointment of having to miss a much-anticipated family trip to the Lake District — we finally managed to get away for a short three-night break in southern Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) back in May. It wasn’t the trip we’d planned, but as is often the case, the unplanned ones can turn out to be exactly what you need.

During our stay in North Wales, we explored a handful of beautiful locations, including Fairbourne, Barmouth, and the wonderfully peaceful Llynnau Cregennen.

Exploring Llynnau Cregennen Beneath Cadair Idris

Llynnau Cregennen has been on my “must-visit” list for years. Somehow, every journey to or from Eryri seemed to end the same way — too little time, and far too many incredible places competing for attention. This time, though, we finally made it.

Managed by the National Trust, Llynnau Cregennen consists of two glacial lakes set high above the Mawddach Estuary, beneath the northern slopes of Cadair Idris. The surrounding landscape feels ancient, with evidence of human activity stretching back more than 4,000 years, adding a real sense of depth and quiet history to the place.

Mist, Clag, and a Surprise Boathouse

As we left the main car park and began the walk, the sunshine didn’t last long. Within minutes, the clag rolled in at impressive speed, swallowing the surrounding hills and reducing visibility to very little. For the next hour or so, the walk followed a familiar pattern — mist in, mist out, repeat — and any hopes of wide, sweeping views were quickly put on hold.

Just as we reached the smaller of the two lakes, the mist briefly lifted. Naturally, this called for an important snack stop. While the rest of the family refuelled, I grabbed the camera and noticed a boathouse I hadn’t even realised was there. I’d only ever seen photos of the boathouse on the larger lake, so discovering this second one felt like a small but very welcome bonus.

Photographing the Boathouses at Llynnau Cregennen

The rest of the walk continued under shifting conditions, with the cloud never quite committing to clearing. By the time we returned to the main car park, however, the mist finally lifted for good. The family took their time soaking in the views while I focused on photographing the main boathouse at Llynnau Cregennen.

I’ll admit, I struggled to find a composition that felt quite right. The scene didn’t match what I’d imagined beforehand, and nothing immediately clicked. In the end, I kept things simple — using out-of-focus grass in the foreground to add depth — and sometimes that’s all you need. It was a good reminder that landscape photography doesn’t always have to be complicated to be effective.

Why Llynnau Cregennen Is Worth Returning To

This is very much a place I’d love to revisit at different times of the year. Whether in autumn colours, winter snow, or under clearer summer skies, Llynnau Cregennen feels like a location that constantly changes with the light and weather. Even on this visit, with limited views for much of the walk, it was clear that we’d only scratched the surface of what the area has to offer.

For anyone looking for a quieter, more peaceful alternative to some of the busier spots in Snowdonia, this corner of Eryri National Park is well worth the effort.

Photography Equipment Used

• Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
• Olympus 12–40mm f/4 Pro lens
• OM System 40-150mm f/4 Pro lens
• Kase polarising filter

Visiting Llynnau Cregennen: Practical Information

Llynnau Cregennen is located above the village of Arthog, around six miles from Dolgellau in Gwynedd. The single-track road up to the lakes includes passing places and can be fairly steep in sections. There are also several gates that need opening and closing along the way — but that’s all part of the experience.

Postcode: LL39 1LJ

The car park is managed by the National Trust. Parking charges apply for non-members, while members can scan their membership cards on arrival.

At the time of our visit, parking cost £5 for the day.