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Cambrian MountainsLlyn Clywedog and Bryntail Mine
Around the reservoir arm below the tallest concrete dam in Britain, past the ruins of a lead mine that sits directly beneath it.
- Distance
- 4.3 mi / 7 km
- Time
- 2 hr 30
- Ascent
- 250 m
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
The scenic trail loops from the dam through woodland and open hillside above the water, with the mine ruins at the start. Undulating throughout.
Worth knowing
- Bryntail lead mine below the dam is free, unstaffed and remarkably complete.
- The dam is 72 metres high, the tallest mass concrete dam in Britain.
- Glyndŵr’s Way runs along the far side of the reservoir for a longer option.
What you’ll see
The dam, the mine ruins and ore-dressing floors, and the reservoir winding into the hills.
Background
Clywedog was built in 1967 to regulate the Severn. Bryntail worked lead and barytes from the 1850s and closed by 1884.