A wonderful walk near Llyn Trawsfynydd

28 walkers came with us on our most recent walk to the Trawsfynydd area – and five guide dogs.

The walk leaders of the trip were Eryri National Park Authority wardens David Prysor Jones and Robat Davies.

After meeting near the visitor dentre, David led us on a leisurely circular walk of around 4.5 miles to the Main Dam of Llyn Trawsfynydd.

Llyn Trawsfynydd is slightly larger than Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales.

Llyn Trawsfynydd was created by building four dams to supply water to the Maentwrog hydro power station.

More than 20 properties were lost to create the lake, including at least two farms - Brynhir and Llwynderw.

Hundreds of Irish builders were involved in the construction work.

In 1965 water from the lake was also used to cool the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station which began generating electricity in 1965 at a cost of £103m.

It was closed in 1991 with the work of cleaning and decommissioning taking 100 years.

The power station is one of the largest employers in the area.

There are fish in the lake but swimming is banned due to concerns about radiation.

The film First Knight was filmed in the area.

After a lunch break near the main dam, we went through Coed Caersaeson before heading back towards the start.

The weather was lovely with a nice breeze and the views of the mountains towards Eryri and across to Blaenau Ffestiniog were stunning.

Everyone enjoyed the trip and it was nice to return to the Canolfan and Caffi Prysor by the lake to have drinks and cakes at the end before heading back on the bus to Bangor.