Afon Tryweryn, near Bala, Gwynedd, Eryri (Snowdonia), North Wales

Afon Tryweryn

River

Place photograph

7.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Wild

Feel

RiversideValleyRemote countrysideWalkersHistory loversPhotographersFamilies

Why it's Wildland

7.2

The Tryweryn is both a striking Eryri river and the landscape at the centre of the drowning of Capel Celyn. Its story is still written into the river valley and the enduring Welsh phrase “Cofiwch Dryweryn” — Remember Tryweryn.

A short riverside walk here carries an unusually weighty story: the reservoir that reshaped the valley submerged Capel Celyn, while the river downstream became known for white-water sports. It is a place to experience as landscape and living history, not just as a backdrop for adventure.

Wild · Dramatic · Atmospheric

Find your way

Open map

Afon Tryweryn, near Bala, Gwynedd, Eryri (Snowdonia), North Wales

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

The experience

Follow the short riverside trail near Llyn Celyn Power Station, then extend the outing towards the dam if conditions and access allow. Take time to understand the story of Capel Celyn; do not assume that river access or water activities are unrestricted.

Things to do

Follow the Tryweryn riverside trail

Walk the short out-and-back route from the car park near Llyn Celyn Power Station towards y Frongoch and return. The source describes it as an easy trail; check current conditions before visiting.

0.5–1 hour

Extend the outing to Llyn Celyn Dam

The trail source suggests extending the walk to visit the dam. Check the route, access and conditions before making this extension.

Explore the story of Capel Celyn

The reservoir was created by flooding the Tryweryn Valley and the village of Capel Celyn. The story provides a powerful historical context for the river and surrounding landscape.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 30–60 minutes

Quick Escape: a short riverside walk

01
Start at the car park near Llyn Celyn Power Station, as described for the trail.
02
Follow the riverside path towards y Frongoch and return the same way.
03
Keep the outing to the described short trail; check conditions and access before setting out.

Half day · Allow half a day; exact timings beyond the short trail are not sourced.

Make a half day of it: river, dam and valley story

01
Walk the short riverside trail from the car park near Llyn Celyn Power Station.
02
If access and conditions permit, extend the visit to Llyn Celyn Dam, identified by the trail source as a worthwhile addition.
03
Take time to learn about the flooding of Capel Celyn and the controversy surrounding the reservoir.

Verified history

Llyn Celyn was formed by damming the Tryweryn in 1965. The flooding of Capel Celyn and surrounding land, despite opposition in Wales, became a lasting point of political and cultural significance. The phrase “Cofiwch Dryweryn” (“Remember Tryweryn”) became an enduring expression of Welsh feeling. A riverside trail source describes the dam as an extension to the walk and recounts the controversy surrounding the flooding.

Hidden details

The river’s name carries the memory of the valley — “Cofiwch Dryweryn” means “Remember Tryweryn”. The phrase became an icon of Welsh feeling after the flooding of Capel Celyn; a sourced trail account notes the famous graffiti is at Llanrhystud, not at this riverside trail.

When to go

May · June · July · August · September · No specific time of day is supported by the supplied sources; check current conditions before visiting.

The source row recommends late spring to early autumn for milder weather. It also says summer is busier, but does not provide independently verified seasonal river-flow or activity schedules.

River conditions and water levels can change. Check current conditions and activity arrangements before travelling; no specific safety or weather guidance is supplied.

Worth pairing with

Llyn Celyn Dam

A suggested extension to the riverside trail, with direct context for the creation of the reservoir and the flooding of Capel Celyn. Check access before visiting.

What to look for

Notice how the river and reservoir sit within the same altered valley. The sourced trail description highlights the Llyn Celyn Dam as a possible extension and describes the flooding of Capel Celyn and the controversy it caused.

The story

Lost village; Welsh cultural and political history; water infrastructure

Best time to go

Late spring to early autumn for milder conditions; check current river conditions and activity arrangements before travelling.

Late spring to early autumn offers milder weather for a riverside visit. River levels and activity conditions can change; check locally before travelling.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · History lovers · Photographers · Families

Practical information

Opening & access

A riverside trail is described from the car park near Llyn Celyn Power Station. For river activities, check current access arrangements and conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

AllTrails describes a car park near Llyn Celyn Power Station as the trail start. Confirm current parking and access before visiting.

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The sourced trail is described as easy, but access around the riverbank may vary. Check conditions and accessibility before visiting.

Check before visiting