Discover the unique wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage of Y Bala on this audio-guided journey. Explore the tranquil shores of Bala Lake, follow the rivers Dee and Tryweryn, and immerse yourself in the stories of rare species, fascinating historical figures and folklore. Choose from three routes designed for different abilities, and let the narration guide you through the heart of Bala's natural beauty - along riverside, woodlands, moorland and green pastures.
To begin your journey, download the map using the link below. Follow the trails and listen to the audio points marked on the map, where you'll find directions and cues to guide you at every step.
Know before you go:
Address:
Bala Lake Foreshore, Bala, LL23 7SR, Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom
Start of trail: Google maps or What3Words: ///blessing.noun.outfit
Parking:
Parking and toilets are available at the Bala Lake foreshore. Other toilets are located on your route past ‘The Green’ car park, lower Tryweryn.
When to go:
The audio trail may be walked at any time of year, but is best walked in fair weather in spring, summer, or autumn. If you're planning a winter visit, we advise checking the weather forecast in advance to ensure safe and pleasant conditions.
Health and Safety:
While we’ve made every effort to provide clear route instructions, the footpaths are also waymarked. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy walking boots, as some sections can get boggy in wetter weather. The route directions and map are designed to complement, rather than replace, an Ordnance Survey map. Mobile phone reception is generally reliable across the trails, and we recommend bringing some food and water with you.
For the safety of wildlife and other visitors, please keep dogs on leads throughout the trails.
Introduction
NWWT
(Optional)
Download audio trail script
Download full audio
1. Bala Lake
Directions: Walk along the embankment footpath to the bridge, then carefully cross the road. Pass through the gate and follow the footpath along the left-hand bank of the River Dee, the next audio point.
2. River Dee
Atlantic Salmon leaping ©Rob Jordan/2020VISION
Directions: Follow the footpath until you cross the steel bridge—your next audio point, the River Tryweryn, begins here as you continue along its bank.
©Andy Rouse/2020VISION
Weir with a fish ladder in the center © NWWT
3. River Tryweryn
LIFEDeeRiver
Directions: Bala Bridge marks the end of the accessible Lake and Rivers Walk. From here, you can either retrace your steps or turn left through the town, leading back to the lake foreshore. To continue the audio trail, follow the path under the bridge where audio point 4 begins along your route beside the river.
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LifeDeeRiver / River Lamprey
Weir on the river Tryweryn © NWWT
©Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION
NWWT
4. Invasive Non-Native Species
false - Vaughn Matthews (please also tag @vaughnmatthews8 if using on Instagram or @VaughnMatthews2 on Twitter)
Directions: Follow the river’s edge until you reach the far pedestrian gate. As you head straight towards the old Woollen Mill House, turn left into the field, then right to follow the waymarked path, where you can begin Audio Point 5.
NWWT
NWWT
River Tryweryn riverside path © NWWT
Japanese knotweed © Philip Precey
NWWT
5. Old Woollen Mill
River Tryweryn's whitewater section with slalom gates © NWWT
Directions: Follow the waymarked path across the field. As the path descends toward the river, Audio Point 6 begins within the woodland ahead.
Waymarker direction © NWWT
The old woollen mill race / leet © NWWT
NWWT
Footpath down to the river Tryweryn © NWWT
6. Woodland
false - Jon Hawkins – Surrey Hills Photography
Directions: Follow the woodland track until you exit the trees and reach the main road. Cross carefully, then bear left and continue to a pedestrian gate at a lay-by. Go through the gate and follow the hedge line on your left toward the fields corner. Continue through the narrow cutting—when you see the house on the right, you’ve reached the cue for your next audio point.
River Tryweryn © NWWT
River Tryweryn © NWWT
©Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography
7. Betsi Cadwaladr
Elizabeth (Betsi) Cadwaladr from ‘The Autobiography of Elizabeth Davis, a Balaclava Nurse’ image by British Library 10816.c.19. Public Domain
Directions: Bear left, then immediately turn right onto a waymarked footpath. Follow the path across the field to a corner gate. Just beyond it, you’ll discover Audio Point 8: The Caves.
Footpath Waymarked © NWWT
Betsi Cadwaladr plaque © NWWT
Footpath to the caves © NWWT
Footpath through pedestrian gate to caves © NWWT
8. Craig-y-Fron ‘The Caves’
NWWT
Directions: Follow the waymarkers, keeping the fence line on your right. When you reach the road ahead, you have two options:
- To finish the Bramble Ramble trail, turn left for a gentle downhill stroll back to the lake foreshore.
- Or, to continue the Red Kite Hike trail, turn right and follow the road until you reach the bridleway signpost. Turn left towards the standing deadwood tree, which marks the next audio point.
Bala Caves © NWWT
Bala caves © NWWT
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NWWT
Waymarked footpath, following the fence line © NWWT
9. Deadwood
NWWT - Craig Wade
Directions: As you make your way across the moorland (the next audio point), continue on the best path, straight towards the farm.
Standing deadwood © NWWT
Turkey Tail bracket fungus growing on decaying tree limb © NWWT
NWWT
NWWT
standing deadwood in decay © NWWT
10. Gwastadros Moorland
NWWT / Cotton Grass
Directions: Continue straight across the moor and through the farm. Pass the cattle sheds to reach two metal field gates. Go through the right-hand gate, then turn right across the farmland. Pass through the next field gate and follow the hedge line. At the far-right corner of the field, you’ll find a pedestrian gate where Audio Point 11 will begin.
Jon Hawkins / Red Kite
NWWT
NWWT
11. Meadow
NWWT
Directions: Follow the woodland path and as you exit through the gate, head straight and slightly left to follow the road downhill. This will lead you to the main road, where you’ll carefully cross over. On the other side, you’ll find yourself at the lakeside, with the Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre just ahead, your next audio point.
NWWT / Carl Williams
NWWT
12. Oak Woodland
©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Directions: Follow the woodland path and as you exit through the gate, head straight and slightly left to follow the road downhill. This will lead you to the main road, where you’ll carefully cross over. On the other side, you’ll find yourself at the lakeside, with the Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre just ahead, your next audio point.
Oak Woodland footpath © NWWT
NWWT
Luke Massey/2020VISION
NWWT
NWWT
13. Mary Jones
Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre overlooking Bala lake © NWWT
Directions: Head left, and you can either return to Bala Lake’s car park alongside the road, or just a short distance along the road is a small car park on the right. Head down the steps and turn left. As long as the lake is not at high water, you’ll be able to follow a path through the narrow woodland belt back to the car park. Listen to the folklore story as you walk.
NWWT
Footpath towards Bala lake © NWWT
14. Folklore
Bala lake © NWWT
Directions: Your final audio point will begin when you arrive back at the lake foreshore car park. Look out for the biosecurity information stand overlooking the lake.
Bala lake © NWWT
Wood anemones © NWWT
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15. Biosecurity
NWWT
Directions: That marks the end of our audio trail. Thank you for walking with us, and we hope to see you out in nature again soon!
Bala lake © NWWT
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NWWT
Prefer to read along as you go?
You can read the audio points in either English, Welsh (Cymraeg), Bengali (বাংলা), Polish (Polski), or Portuguese (Português). Click the relevant link below to download the content.
Choose your language here:
English - Bala Wildlife Audio Trail
Cymraeg - Lwybr Sain Bywyd Gwyllt y Bala
Bengali (বাংলা) - বালা ওয়াইল্ডলাইফ অডিও ট্রেইল
Polish (Polski) - Szlak Bala Wildlife Audio Trail
Portuguese (Português) - Percurso áudio da vida selvagem em Bala
®Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Welsh Government
This project is funded by the Nature Networks Fund.
It is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.