Hurrah. They warn us of the dangers of the water in Welsh (and English), but don’t tell us we can’t swim.
“Land of my fathers” (waterfalls, lakes and rivers). Tidy!
Caerleon (nr Newport, South Wales)
(A TWO TRUNK location)
Location
This swim is located in the “Lost City of the Legion” (thats just outside Caerleon Roman fortress, north of Newport). Its signposted from the M4 (thats the Roman fortress not the swim and don’t be confused by the signs to Roman baths!)
Grid ref
ST338/902
Features
Well, where else (in Britain) can you swim next to 2000 year old Roman walls?
Hazards
Without any doubt this is the safest place to swim in the tidal waters of the River Usk. Watch out for nails and strings left by 21st century archaeology students! And its a bit muddy!!
Date of swim
31st September 2011
Dolgoch Falls (Snowdonia)
(Another FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
Dolgoch Falls approx 4km from the village of Bryncrug.Well signposted series of waterfalls with FREE parking and no admittance charge (Thankyou Wales).
Grid Ref
SH653/044
Features
Series of waterfalls, nearly all with some kind of “plunge pool” beneath them. Refreshing.
Hazards
Access is difficult to many of them and don’t bother with the first one you find or you will be “watched from the public gallery”. Just follow the path. I think the best one is the last one just before you leave the wood.
Date of Last Swim
TBC
Lynn Dinas (Snowdonia)
!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!
Location
Only 2km north-east of Beddgelert along the A498. The road passes along the north side of the lake, but the nicest “swims” are along the south shore.
Grid Ref
SH 614/493
Features
Along the south shore there is equally good access and in places shingly stones. Gets deep quick which means you are “committed” very soon.
Hazards
No really, but I was buzzed by a rescue helicopter before it realised it was meant to be retrieving a walker with a broken leg.
Date of Last Swim
23rd May 2005
Llyn Llydaw (Snowdonia)
(Like so many Llyns in Snowdonia this is a FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
Llyn Llydaw is the second lake you reach if you are climbing Snowdon from Pen-y-Pass.
Grid Ref
SH634/544
Features
The views what more can I say (oh its got lovely clear water and reasonably flat stones for access).
Hazards
Some say its cold, but just what do you expect?
Date of Last Swim
July 2002
Llyn Cau (Snowdonia)
(Yet another of Snowdonia’s FIVE TRUNK locations bagged)
!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!
Location
On the Minffordd Path route up Cadair Idris (from the south-west). You can’t miss it.
Grid Ref
SH715/123
Features
Reasonable beaches for entry and drops off in depth rapidly (so there is no going back). Fantastic views.
Hazards
When I went in some nutters had carried a rowing boat up the steep path to the Llyn (they didn’t even use it to swim in the middle! must be nutters!).
Date of Last Swim
July 2002
Llyn Cwellyn (Snowdonia)
(Yet another of Snowdonia’s FIVE TRUNK locations)
!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!
Location
Approx 1km NW of Rhyd Ddu, to west of Snowdon (north west of Beddgelert). Theres a small car park and boat house!
Grid Ref
SH561/532
Features
Fabulous setting and even an island to swim round.
Hazards
Popular fishing spot (and they don’t just stay on shore, they use boats!!)
Date of Last Swim
15th August 2003
Llyn Y Dywarchen (Snowdonia)
(Only a FOUR TRUNK location)
!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!
Location
Approx 1km N of Rhyd Ddu, to west of Snowdon (north west of Beddgelert). I swam on the south shore because we were camping there at a site owned by the nearby (very expensive and unfriendly tourist) pub.
Grid Ref
SH565/543
Features
Lovely view with Beddgelert Forest on one side and Snowdon on the other. Easy access and rough grass for sunbathing. The campsite is only 100m from the shore.
Hazards
Surprisingly in places a bit dirty. Watch out for fishing lines.
Date of Last Swim
17th August 2003
Llyn Idwal (Snowdonia)
(Lets face it most Llyns in Snowdonia can be awarded FIVE TRUNK swims)
Location
Just west of Tryfan. Quickest route is from Pen-y-benglog (0.5km)
Grid Ref
SH645/595
Features
Fantastic views of Tryfan and the Devils Kitchen.
Hazards
Watch out…. my Brother had his clothes stolen while he was in the water (oh, but he was on his Stag Weekend)
Date of Last Swim
1998
River Severn (nr Llandrinio, mid Wales)
Location
You can park in a layby on the B4393 on the Llandrinio side of the bridge and then follow the Severn Way path. Then its just a case of pick your spot as there are plenty in the bends of the river.
Grid ref
SJ293/166
Features
Long stretches of relatively deep water.
Hazards
Not really a hazard but this part of the Severn cuts through clay so you will have the usual “comedy” avoiding getting very muddy.
Date of swim
10th and 12th July 2015
River Nedd (Brecon Beacons)
(Without a doubt a FIVE TRUNK location. Look its got a water jump!)
Location
Approx 3km north of Pontneddfrechan (5km from Hirwaun, Ok have you heard of Merthyr Tydfil). Park by the picnic area and follow the River Nedd (?) south for 300m.
Grid Ref
SN906/103
Features
What more can you ask for. A river with a pool deep enough for jumping into!
Hazards
None, but you might die from the excitement.
Date of Last Swim
30th May 2005
Rheadr Gafr (Snowdonia)
(A FOUR TRUNK location- if the water nymph featured in Robs Directory of Cool Places had been present it would have scored more)
Location
Nant Peris off the A4086 between Caernarfon and Betwys-y-Coed. Follow the track up (I mean up) from the campsite opposite the pub, then keep close to the stream and you can’t miss (unless you get too worn out with the climb). Unfortunately there are alot of new fences to contend with on the way up. AS FEATURED IN ROBBS DIRECTORY OF COOL PLACES.
Grid Ref
TBC
Features
Not too much room for swimming but an excellent “cold plunge”, added possibility of seeing the water nymph (Amanda) who apparently has been going to this spot for 35 years.
Hazards
If you have a heart condition, don’t bother with the climb up the side of the valley to the waterfall, its harder than you think. The new fences are a pain in the b*m (literally).
Date of Last Swim
June 2001
Ystradfellite (Brecon Beacons)
(There are many waterfalls near Ystradfellite of varying quality. This one was excellent, but only scored THREE TRUNK location because it is the only swimming location where my heart really did let me know it wasn’t happy)
Location
Park near Ystradfellte and follow the river south. You shouldn’t be able to miss the waterfalls.
Grid Ref
SN929/100
Features
Excellent waterfall and plenty of room for swimming.
Hazards
Bl**dy cold. One of the few times that my heart has “tightened” due to the coldness of the water around me.
Date of Last Swim
30th May 2005
Afon Teifi (Pembrokeshire)
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!
Location
Approx 1.5km SE of Cardigan (Aberteifi for our Welsh speaking friends). Park in the car park for the Wildlife Centre next to Rosehill Marsh (the one with the giant otter) and follow the signs for the Gorge Walk.
Grid Ref
SN194/444
Features
Excellent spot with tree linked banks.
Hazards
Fast flowing water and therefore fast flowing rafts/canoes. Also there are loads of places where the water looks inviting but where the bank is too steep/high for an emergency exit.
Date of Last Swim
26th May 2003