LLIW RESERVOIS FELINDRE
December 2019
December’s walk saw us walking by the Lliw reservoirs in Felindre. Although just a couple of miles from the M4 it’s a wonderfully tranquil location and makes for an easy winter stroll. The good sized car park at the lower reservoir ensures easy access and the popular cafe and toilets are welcome facilities. This large expanse of water is surrounded by trees with a footpath carving its way through. The hills in the background only adds to the beauty and serenity. It was a bright, crisp day with a cold nip in the air. We set off along the road before making our way down to the path. The signs that forbid swimming seemed a little superfluous as the water didn’t seem too inviting. Even our canine companions, apart from a quick drink, refused the opportunity of a dip. After a while the reservoir narrows and it appears to be more like a river in appearance. The well wooded banks must provide a haven for all types of wildlife.
At the end of the reservoir, instead of continuing on the circular path we rejoined the main path towards the upper one. It’s a steady, gentle incline and the surrounding terrain more open. It’s more like moors punctuated now and again with rock faces. It’s certainly more exposed and the breeze was appreciably more noticable. As we started to approach there’s an enormous man made bank that must be close to a hundred feet high. To the side a cascade takes excess water down to the valley below. It was certainly discharging an enormous amount and the noise could be heard from some distance away.
We climbed the bank and gazed at the upper reservoir. Built in the Victorian era it really is an impressive feat of engineering. The view now, is quite surreal. Apart from the wondrous achievement of our forefathers, behind the reservoir are huge, pristine, white turbines and to the right the remains of a forest. It’s almost a before, after and after panorama. For sure there would have been resistance to the building of the reservoir as there are those opposed to the turbines. Water and wind, we’re never short of both in Wales and perhaps we should make better use of them.
It was certainly a lot chilier here, partly because we had stopped walking but we were also fully exposed to the breeze. After walking along the path on top of the dam, we made our return. It’s quite a popular spot, so even on a cold December day we met fellow walkers and joggers enjoying the morning. It wasn’t long before we reached the sanctuary of our cars.
The Reservoirs make an ideal venue for a short easy walk. In all our walk took about 2 hours. Parking is easy, a good cafe and toilets and stunning scenery – what’s not to like?
WANT TO JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR MONTHLY WALKS? CONTACT VINCE ON 07070 968120
