We were pushing our luck going for a hike in Snowdonia on such an overcast day. Chances were that we would not make it around the lake before getting soaked but the rain clouds did make for a very dramatic scenery. I had my own “personal guide” in the form of my friend Yvonne for this wonderful hike.
This walk offered some of the most dramatic mountainous scenery that I have ever seen on a hike. It took us through the beautiful ice-sculpted Cwm Idwal – a bowl-shaped hollow filled with the crystal clear waters of Llyn Idwal.
Cwm Idwal is a hanging valley in the Glyderau range of mountains in northern Snowdonia, the national park in the mountainous region of North Wales. In a 2005 poll conducted by Radio Times, Cwm Idwal was ranked the 7th greatest natural wonder in Britain.
Through Yvonne I learned that Cwm Idwal comprises volcanic and sedimentary rock which was laid down in a shallow Ordovician sea, and later folded to give rise to the distinctive trough-shaped arrangement of strata known today as the Idwal Syncline. This fold in the rock is visible today, thanks to the layering of the sedimentary rocks. The area was then eroded by glacial action to form the classic semicircular valley.
The spectacular hanging valley of Cwm Idwal, surrounded by the high peaks of Y Garn and Glyder Fawr is a classic example of a landscape which was dramatically sculptured by ice thousands of years ago.
At Llyn Idwal (lake) we chose a clockwise route around this nature reserve. As we started this circular walk the rain clouds came rolling in thicker and faster with the arrival of some very strong gusts. I would like to say gale force winds but have to admit that it was just very strong gusts, although I was nearly blown over while posing for a photo.
As we started along the footpath we were greeted by a collection of large fractured rocks known as Darwin Idwal Boulders.
Llyn Idwal (lake), is named after Idwal, the son of one of the ancient Princes of Wales, Owain, Prince of Gwyneddd, legend relates Idwal was murdered by being drowned in the lake by his uncle. Tradition further states that no bird flies over the lake, as a result of Idwal’s terrible fate. It was too windy that day for any birds to be flying about so I couldn’t test this myth.
Look up to our left were the sheer cliffs which form the headwall of Cwm Idwal, known as ‘The Devil’s Kitchen’.
Walking along the pebbled lake shore around to the east the weather did start to turn a little and we felt the first warning drops. As we arrived at the slate bridge that crosses Afon Idwal as it drains out of the lake it started dripping and we started hurrying towards the car. Our luck for the day held and we made it to the car without getting soaked and before the heavens opened up releasing a cold hard torrent of rain.
Janaline's world journey 
Lovely photos! Need to watch your step on that path though, looks like an ankle killer to me 🙂
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So interesting and beautiful. – no trees?
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Next time round please invite me, I may just at the expense of bankruptcy make it!
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Will do! I will definitely go for another hike next time I’m in Wales!
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beautiful scenery!
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The countryside and mountains of Wales are breathtaking!
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Yes such beautiful country. I hope to see it too one day.
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I do hope you get to have a fabulous Wales adventure someday, it is such a beautiful place!
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Wales is certainly on our bucketlist. It just might be a couple of years away for now because when we go as far from Aus as this I know I like to go for a loooong time. It all looks so lovely and green and so filled with history just like the places we visited on our recent little sojourn in Europe.
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Beautiful pictures, Janaline! I spent the first two days of my honeymoon in Wales but for obvious reasons didn’t get to see too much of the countryside. Upon reflection, I wish I’d spent more time hiking!
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Your comment has me smiling now Sue, thanks! I hope you get to visiot Wales again and this time have loads of time to go on some of these beautiful hikes!
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Your photos are beautiful despite the threatening rain. These mountains are gorgeous and you caught the joy in your photos.
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Thanks for that lovely compliment! I do think that the threatening rain made for more dramatic photos!
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Baeutiful pictures
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Thank you!!
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thank you dear 🙂
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Amazing Wales – very well captured… 🙂 🙂
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Thank you!! I loved Wales and couldnt wait to share this fabulous place with you all!
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Spectacular! I would love to see this place. And what a charming name…
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It is amazing Ruth, I do hope you get to have a huge adventure through Wales someday! I have heard that the place looks amazing in winter when its covered in snow.
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Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the walk with you. 🙂
Hubby has plans for Snowdon again in May, I think I’ll take the train up and join him for just the walk down this time. 😀
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I understand, I looked at the climb / walk up the mountains and it looked quite difficult…I was quite glad to give that bit a skip and just do the leisurely scenic walk.
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I love the mountains round this part, Tryfan and the Glyders, especially in the snow. Great post, and you’ve taught me something new about the history of the place.
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Thank you!! I must thank my friend Yvonne who has actually taken a couple of tour groups through here for all the interesting information and history about this amazing place.
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Thank you for taking us to the valley! Gorgeous mountains, trails, and the lake…
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Thanks for joining me on this hike Amy, it was such a peaceful experience and I am glad that I can share it with you all.
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Craggy and desolate – and yet so beautiful.
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Such a dramatic scene with the black and purple rocks looming up along the lake.
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Snowdonia is otherworldly…wish I could go there myself!
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Snowdonia is spectacular and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see it.
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Love all the stone! A rugged and spectacular beauty – even on a cold & rainy day. Brrrr!
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I think the fact that it was overcast with the threat of rain made the scenery so much more dramatic.
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Thank you for the wonderful impressions and magnificent pictures. But this is definitely a place for a relaxing walk. Certain it is wonderfully quiet there.
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It was such a peaceful walk…most of the time there were no other people in sight.
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Great area, I used to walk in this region years ago…. You’ve reminded me!
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It is such a beautiful area Sue, I would love to go for a hike there in spring time!
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Better still, a beautiful October day – sunshine, soft light, warm colours…
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Hi Janaline,
Another stunning landscape…
Pretty nice photos and the panoramic shots are the best of the lot.
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Thanks Sreejith! I got myself a new camera that can do panoramic shots and I am having so much fun playing with it.
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It’s obvious from your photos… 🙂
May I know which is the model?
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Gorgeous. How I miss a good hike (which is a little challenge to come by here in Chiang Mai), wide and easy to walk, with lovely rocks and more rocks. Cheers 🙂
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Wales is filled with fabulous places for hikes in its peaceful countryside.
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I really want to visit Wales after reading your posts!
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You should definitely put Wales on your travel-list, it is an amazing place. The countryside is fabulous and it has such a rich history and great places to explore.
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