Llwyn Onn Reservoir

Why not stretch your legs along this shore-line walk?

Here you can enjoy the contrast between a tranquil conifer plantation and glimpses of open water, with the bonus of a cuppa and bite to eat. This is a grade 2 walk – Routes with a hard, compacted surface but with some sections with slightly looser surfaces, slight gradients and gates but no stiles. There is also a lack of seats.

Of interest

You’ll step into a silent conifer forest with its abundance of moss which lends a fresh verdant feel to the walk after negotiating the car park junction and passing through a picnic site. The forest was planted soon after the Reservoir was built in 1926 in order to stop the soil being washed from the hillsides into the water. Two devastating cholera outbreaks and the harrowing testimony of Cardiff residents had prompted three reservoirs to be built in Cwm Taf Fawr valley in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You’ll catch glimpses of this the last and largest of the three between the tree trunks. Splendid views open up as you near and walk over the dam. The good news is that otters, great crested grebes, goldeneye, goosander and coot now also benefit from the reservoir’s clean water. Stop awhile to get more of the story from the poetry stone and panels along the way.