Best places for wild swimming Brecon Beacons & Cambrian Mountains
Discover the top places for wild swimming in Wales and stay nearby in our holiday cottages Cambrian Escapes
Explore our top swimming spots in the Brecon Beacons & Cambrian Mountains - this is a wild swimmers paradise. Perfect for couples, friends and adventurers.
If you book a stay you'll get access to our full wild swimming guide, with lots of secret places to dip away from the crowds, not listed here.
Be adventure smart, take your rubbish home, bring warm clothes, tell someone where you are going. Enjoy!
1. The Wash Pool Cwm Irfon
A large, dreamy, languid pool where farmers used to wash sheep before shearing. Benches and parking closely. Shallows for children as well as deeper bits for swimming. There are waterfalls above it, and there’s a swing. What more could you possibly want?
White Bridge car park grid ref SN 856 507 is a little further on from the pool, but there is also some limited parking next to the pool itself.
2. Llyn Y Fan Fawr
Iconic glacier lake on the the top of the world at the foot of the Carmarthen Fans in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Lie back and look up at those unbelievable ridge lines. Spectacular. Cold! About a 30 minute steady climb up. Follow us on Komoot @cambrian_escapes for the route. Alternatively you can try at Llyn Y Fan Fawr, but there are signs up warning of Weils disease. There is a carpark at.
Car Park Grid ref SN796238
3. Cwm Gwesyn, An unspoiled National Trust valley in the Cambrian Mountains. Pools all the way up it to dip your toe and more in, culminating in a large waterfall you can throw yourself into, to finish off in style. About an hour from the parking to the waterfall, depending on how many pools you test on the way.
Car Park is a little way down the road from the beginning of the path. SN85980 53080
4. Wolf's Leap, Abergwesyn
Absolutely spectacular mini gorge carved out with the river running over a few hundred metres that intrepid explorers will enjoy. The gorge ends up in some gorgeous, deep peaty pools with steep sides, heather and rowans and some flat rocks to lie on and dry off afterwards. Fascinating geology and incredibly pleasing on the swimming front. Very cold! Short walk from the road. Park carefully along the single track road.
Grid Ref for Abergwesyn SN 8547 5274
5. Llyn Cwm Llwch An icy but invigorating glacier lake underneath Pen Y Fan. Parking at the bottom of the valley and a long increasingly steep climb of about an hour to get there. Worth every step, when you arrive. Carry on up to the summit of Pen Y Fan after your refreshing (fairly cold!) dip, if you can tear yourself away.
Car Park Grid Reference SO 006 244
There are lots of other fantastic swimming spots - do tell us about them. These listed above have good access and parking. Please park carefully, be Adventure Smart – ask yourself: Do I have the right Gear, Do I have the right knowledge and experience, what will the weather be like today.
Tell someone where you are going and take plenty of warm clothes to dry off afterwards. Usually it is better to enter cold water slowly, rather than diving or jumping, so that you don't suffer a shock from the cold water. Leave no trace of your visit. That’s enough Big Brother. Happy swimming. If you like our wild swimming tips, why not come and stay in our gorgeous cottages or secluded campsite
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