Afon Llafar facts for kids
Did you know there's another river called Afon Llafar? That one flows into Bala Lake. You can find out more about it here: Afon Llafar (Dee)
The Afon Llafar is a lively river found in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park in Wales. It flows through a mountain range called the Carneddau, which is famous for its tall peaks and stunning views. This river is one of several in Wales that share a similar name.
Where Does Afon Llafar Start?
The Afon Llafar begins high up in the mountains. It's formed by many small streams that tumble down the sides of three big mountains:
These streams all meet in a valley below some impressive cliffs known as Ysgolion Duon. This Welsh name means "Black Ladders," which gives you an idea of how steep and dark these cliffs can look!
The River's Journey
From its mountain source, the Afon Llafar flows towards the north-west. It travels through a valley called Cwm Pen-llafar. Along its journey, another river, the Caseg River, joins it near a place called Gerlan.
Finally, the Afon Llafar empties into the River Ogwen. This happens right in the middle of a town called Bethesda. Bethesda is a busy town known for its history in slate quarrying.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name Afon Llafar is very old! It comes from an ancient language called Brittonic, which was spoken in Britain a long, long time ago. The word laβar meant "talkative" or "boastful."
This is similar to the Welsh word llafar, which means "loud" or "noisy." So, the river's name probably describes the sound it makes as it rushes over rocks and down the mountains. It's like the river is "talking" or "making a lot of noise" as it flows! Interestingly, there's also a River Laver in North Yorkshire, England, that has the same ancient root for its name.
