Llyn Ogwen, Ogwen Valley

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Summary:

Best at / for: sunrise.

Best avoided: public holidays

Parking: free parking with close access to the location.

Access: some walking required for best vantage points.

Notes: good hiking / wild camping opportunities nearby.

Landscape Photography From Snowdonia and Anglesey on Video No 199

My vlogs featuring this location:

Ogwen Valley in Winter (Ep #199)

#065: Tryfan, Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia, Wales

Details:

Llyn Ogwen is a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde location. At sunrise in summer the western end of the lake shooting eastwards, offers great sunrise possibilities. With the boathouse and Tryfan to accompany your composition. In winter you need to be more along the base of Pen Yr Ole Wen towards the eastern end to get a sunrise with Tryfan in shot.

A walk northwards, up the stream Afon Lloer, at the east end of the lake, offers the iconic shot with the north ridge of Tryfan making it look like like a huge pyramid. But the lake is off to the right in most compositions from here, unless you shoot very wide angle – and then the impact of Tryfan is lost. It’s all a bit of a compromise.

And that’s about it really.

Llyn Ogwen is almost always completely jammed with parked cars and hundreds of walkers. Of course, they thin out as they head off, but as a photographic location it’s a poor choice when compared to some other Snowdonia locations.