Watch the video of the kayakers on the youtube video player. The canoeists reach speeds of up to 45mph. But don't try this at home children! It's actually quite dangerous, and if you dont lose your head on the steel ridge at the bottom you might just drown. Scroll down the page for further information about Llyn Brianne. By the way "Llyn" is Welsh for Lake. Find more lakes and reservoirs in Wales on our interactive maps >

 

This map shows the Llyn Brianne reservoir in Mid-Wales. It is situated just 5 miles (as the crow flies) North West of Llanwrtyd Wells, on the headwaters of the river Towy, near to its source in the Cambrian Mountains. The reservoir was built in 1972 by damming a section of the river Towy to supplement flows in the river during low flows, and as compensation for extracting water supplies some 40 miles downstream at Nantgaredig, near Carmarthen. The dam is supposedly the UK's biggest standing at a height of some 300ft.

Because of the importance of the River Tywy salmon and trout fisheries special measures were incorporated into the construction of the reservoir including a smolt trap and a restocking programme. However releases of water from the dam tend to be very cold and are blamed by anglers for a reduction in the quality of the fishery.

But it's not only the anglers who are not completely happy with the results of the Llyn Brianne reservoir project as others complain that the dam and reservoir although beautiful in their own way can in no way be compared to the beauty of the gorge that they have replaced. Other proposals to deliver electricity generated at the dam to the National Grid via a line of pylons down the Towi Valley caused a strong protest and after a sustained campaign the cable was buried, mainly in a trench cut in and beside the Rhandirmwyn to Llandovery road.

The Upper Towy Valley and Llyn Brianne is still one of the most beautiful areas of Wales however and it is a haven for bird watchers, anglers, mountain bikers and walkers. Mountain Bikers are particularly well catered for with nearby Llanwrtyd Wells being something of a centre for the sport with several trails commencing in the town. These include the Mynydd Trawsnant Trail, the Irfon Forest Trail and the Esgair Dafydd Trail , all featured on the map below. Click here for more information on Mountain Bike Trails near Llyn Brianne.

Llyn Brianne has been popular with extreme sport enthusiasts since its association with mountain biking trails but in 2008 the 300ft tall Llyn Brianne Dam acheived national fame, or notoriety, when a video of kayakers hurling themselves down the spillway at speeds of 40mph was posted on Youtube!

[ Map of Llyn Brianne location ]

Please click on the TOWNS or villages to find some where to stay in the area around Lake Brianne. Choose from self catering accommodation and cottages near to Llyn Brianne or alternatively you may click on the HOTEL logo for hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation close to Llyn Brianne, Wales.

= HOTELS & SERVICED ACCOMMODATION

= SELF CATERING COTTAGES

Attractions and facilities near Llyn Brianne :

Facilities / Visitor Centre :
Tourist Information Centre, Llanwrtyd Wells. Tel: 01591 610666

Mountain Bike Trails :

Llanwrtyd Wells is the original Mountain Bike centre in the UK. Opened in 1985. The town is ideally situated with thousands of acres of forest and hillside very close to hand. Using the expertise developed over the years they provide a variety of way marked trails and also incorporate rides suitable for familes and ordinary cyclists alike.
Tourist Information Centre, Llanwrtyd Wells. Tel: 01591 610666

Fishing :

Directions :

From Builth Wells take the A483 to Beulah. Follow signs from Beulah to Abergwesyn and then signs for Llyn Brianne Reservoir. Alternatively from Llandovery (on the A483) take the Cilycwm Road up the Towy valley to the southern end of Llyn Brianne.

Bala Lake, Llyn Celyn, Llyn Brenig, Llyn Trawsfynydd, Llyn Clywedog, Llyn Geirionydd, Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Elan Valley Reservoirs, Tal-y-Llyn, Lake Vyrnwy, Llyn Padarn, Pontsticill Reservoir, Llangorse Lake, Llyn Brianne, Rheidol Valley and Llyn Nant y Moch,

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