Swansea and Neath
The Lliw Reservoirs
Two reservoirs above Swansea with a track between them, moorland above and forestry below, and hardly anybody about.
- Distance
- 3.7 mi / 6 km
- Time
- 2 hr 5
- Ascent
- 150 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- 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
Tracks run from the lower reservoir to the upper and round the shores. Steady climbing between the two.
Worth knowing
- The upper reservoir sits on open moorland and is much wilder than the lower one.
- The track between them is good and the gradient gentle.
- Popular with local runners and dog walkers near the car park, quiet beyond.
What you’ll see
Both reservoirs, forestry and open moor, and the Mawr commons above.
Background
The reservoirs were built to supply Swansea, the lower in 1867 and the upper in 1978.