Llyn y Manod lies between the two mountains of Manod Fach and Manod Mawr, above the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. It's a fairly shallow lake, fed only by small streams around its perimeter, but nevertheless is a good lake for swimming, and if you've trekked the 1330 feet up here on a hot day, you'll need cooling off. A public footpath leads along its eastern side to the Maenofferen quarries, passing a small 'beach' area at the lake's northern end.
The best place for parking is at a layby on the west side of the A470 at Grid Ref SH706436 (just before the Blaenau Ffestiniog sign) from where just opposite, a public footpath leads up to the lake.
