Clywedog Reservoir and dam

You should visit Clywedog Reservoir if you enjoy big landscapes, quiet roads and places where you can simply stop the car and take in the view.

The reservoir stretches for around six miles through the hills near Llanidloes, with viewpoints, picnic areas and walking routes around the water. The huge concrete dam is impressive in its own right, but the real appeal is the changing scenery as you travel around the lake.

Start at the Dam

The Clywedog Dam is the obvious place to begin. It rises more than 200 feet above the valley floor and holds back a reservoir covering more than 600 acres.

Stand at the viewing area and look down the face of the dam, then turn around and you get a completely different view across the water towards the surrounding Cambrian Mountains.

If water is being released from the dam, the sight and sound can be particularly dramatic.

Drive Around the Lake

One of the nicest ways to enjoy Clywedog is to follow the circular road around the reservoir and stop whenever something catches your eye.

There are several viewpoints and picnic areas along the route, so you do not need to commit to a long walk to enjoy the scenery.

The full circuit is roughly 15 miles and passes through a mixture of open hills, woodland and waterside scenery. Take your time because some stretches of road are narrow.

Walk the Dragon’s Back

If you fancy a proper walk, the short circular route from the dam takes you along part of Glyndŵr’s Way and onto the ridge sometimes described as the Dragon’s Back.

The route is around three miles and gives you excellent views over the reservoir. Parts of it climb away from the water, so it feels far more adventurous than simply walking beside the road.

At the ridge, water lies below you on both sides and the reservoir opens out dramatically ahead.

Look for Ospreys

Clywedog has become particularly well known for ospreys. They return to the area during the breeding season and can sometimes be seen fishing over the reservoir.

You may also see red kites and buzzards circling over the hills, along with ducks and woodland birds closer to the shoreline.

Bring binoculars if birdwatching interests you because much of the lake is wide and the birds may be some distance away.

Fishing and Sailing

The reservoir is also well known for trout fishing. Llanidloes Angling Society manages the fishing, and the lake is stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

Clywedog Sailing Club operates on the reservoir too, so on some days you may see sailing boats moving across the water.

These activities are managed rather than simply open-access, so check with the relevant organisation if you are planning to fish or sail rather than just visit.

Combine It with Hafren Forest

Hafren Forest is only a few miles away, so these two places work extremely well together.

You could spend the morning around the reservoir, stop for a picnic, then continue into Hafren Forest for a waterfall walk or a shorter riverside trail.

If you prefer a relaxed day, stay around Clywedog and finish in Llanidloes for food or a wander around the town.

A Few Useful Tips

Parking at the main dam viewing area is free, and there are additional stopping places and picnic areas around the reservoir. The main approach is from Llanidloes on the B4518.

The roads around the reservoir are scenic but rural and narrow in places, so allow more time than the mileage suggests.

There are no large visitor facilities around most of the lake, so bringing drinks and snacks is sensible. Llanidloes is only around six miles away and is the easiest place for cafés, shops and other facilities.

The reservoir is especially enjoyable on a clear day when you can stop at the viewpoints, but even in changeable weather the dam itself is worth seeing.