Cambria Sports Culture CIC Cymraeg

All walksDyfi Valley and Machynlleth

Dyfi Valley and Machynlleth

Llyn Barfog

The bearded lake in the hills above the Dyfi estuary, where Arthur is said to have dragged a monster out of the water.

Distance
3.7 mi / 6 km
Time
2 hr 15
Ascent
280 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

Head up from the lane onto the open hill and to the lake, returning by a loop with estuary views. Steep at the start.

Worth knowing

  • Carn March Arthur nearby is a rock said to bear the hoofprint of Arthur’s horse.
  • The name means bearded lake, from the water lilies that fringe it.
  • The lanes up from the valley are extremely narrow with almost no parking.

What you’ll see

The lake and its lilies, the hoofprint stone, and the Dyfi estuary far below.

Background

The legend has Arthur hauling an afanc from the lake, and the stone marking where his horse braced against the effort.