Llyn Cwm Llwch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llyn Cwm Llwch |
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Wild camping at Llyn Cwm Llwch
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 Llyn Cwm Llwch
Location in Powys
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| Location | Powys, Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°53′15″N 3°27′6″W / 51.88750°N 3.45167°W |
| Primary outflows | Nant Cwm Llwch |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
Llyn Cwm Llwch is a small, beautiful lake located in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Powys, Wales. It's much smaller than some other lakes in the area, covering about 1 to 2 acres. This lake was formed a very long time ago by giant sheets of ice called glaciers during the Ice Age. It sits in a natural hollow carved out of rock, nestled beneath the tall peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du.
Water flows out of the lake through a stream called Nant Cwm Llwch. This stream eventually joins the Afon Tarell, which then flows into the River Usk near Brecon. A special monument called Tommy Jones' obelisk stands overlooking the lake. This granite memorial remembers a young boy who sadly died near this spot in 1900.
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How Llyn Cwm Llwch Was Formed
The Lake's Glacial History
Llyn Cwm Llwch sits in a bowl-shaped dip in the land. This dip was carved out by powerful glaciers during several Ice Ages. These glaciers slowly moved across the land, scraping away rock and soil. The lake now rests in this hollow, which is made of sandstone from the Brownstones Formation. This rock is part of the ancient Old Red Sandstone.
Moraine and the Lake's Edge
Around the northern edge of the lake, you can see a large, curved ridge. This ridge is called a moraine. A moraine is a pile of rocks and dirt left behind by a glacier as it melts and retreats. This particular moraine was formed during the later part of the last Ice Age.
Visiting Llyn Cwm Llwch
Getting to the Lake
Llyn Cwm Llwch is in an open area, which means it's easy for walkers to reach. A popular walking path that leads up to the famous peak of Pen y Fan goes right past the lake's outlet. This path heads southwards up the valley known as Cwm Llwch.
Best Views of the Lake
You can get amazing views of Llyn Cwm Llwch from the tops of both Pen y Fan and Corn Du. These are two of the highest mountains in the Brecon Beacons. You can also see the lake very well from a nearby ridge called Pen Milan, which is to the west of the lake.
