Y Bala
Bala guide
A small, strongly Welsh-speaking market town at the top of Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, on the south-east edge of Eryri.Llyn TegidLargest natural lake in WalesAbout 3.5 milesLong, end to end4.5 milesOf narrow gauge railway2,000People in the town
Overview
Why go to Bala
Bala is all about the water. The lake is used for sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing, and just up the road the River Tryweryn is one of the best white water rafting rivers in Britain. The town itself is a single long high street of independent shops, pubs and cafes.It has a big place in Welsh history too. Thomas Charles, the Methodist leader, lived here, and it was to Bala that Mary Jones famously walked to buy a Welsh Bible in 1800, a story linked to the founding of the Bible Society. Nearby, the village of Capel Celyn was flooded in 1965 to create Llyn Celyn reservoir, which became a rallying point for Welsh politics.Things to do
Top things to do in Bala
Llyn TegidHire a paddleboard or kayak, sail, or just walk the shore. The lake is home to the gwyniad, a fish found nowhere else.
Bala Lake RailwayNarrow gauge steam along 4.5 miles of the lakeshore between Llanuwchllyn and Bala, running since 1972. Halloween trains 30 and 31 October, Santa trains 12 and 13 December 2026.
National White Water CentreRafting on the dam-released River Tryweryn at Frongoch, just north of Bala (LL23 7NU). Book ahead.
Llyn Celyn and Capel CelynThe reservoir that drowned a village, with a memorial chapel on the shore. A quiet, moving stop.
FishingLlyn Tegid is known for pike, perch and roach. Day permits come from Eryri National Park.
The high streetIndependent shops, pubs and cafes, with the statue of Thomas Charles outside Capel Tegid.
Outdoors
Walks around Bala
There is a 3.2km access-for-all path at the lake, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. For something bigger, the Aran and Arenig mountains rise either side of the valley; check the mountain forecast first. A classic day out is to take the train to Llanuwchllyn and walk or cycle back along the lake.Getting there
Getting to Bala
By car: Bala sits on the A494 between Dolgellau and Ruthin, with the A4212 west towards Trawsfynydd and Porthmadog. Wrexham and the A483 are a little under an hour away.By bus: the T3 TrawsCymru service runs between Wrexham and Barmouth via Llangollen, Corwen, Bala and Dolgellau.By train: there is no mainline station. The nearest are Wrexham and Ruabon, then the T3.What's on
Events in and around Bala
- 26Oct
Mon 26 Oct to Thu 29 OctGwerin Gwallgo: A Welsh Folk ExperienceBalaA four-day bilingual folk music and dance residential for young people aged 11-18, organised by Trac Cymru, taking place over October half term on the shores of Llyn Tegid. - 30OctFri 30 Oct to Sat 31 OctHalloween Trains on the Bala Lake RailwayBala Lake Railway (Llanuwchllyn Station)Spooky evening train trip to the haunted Flag Halt with a stop at the witches' coven, decorated stations and costumed staff. Costumes encouraged.
- 12DecSat 12 Dec to Sun 13 DecSanta Specials on the Bala Lake RailwayBala Lake Railway (Llanuwchllyn Station)Decorated steam-hauled trains of about 45 minutes where children meet Santa and receive gifts, with mince pies and sherry or hot drinks for adults.
See more eventsListings from North Wales Events. Check with the venue before you travel.
Stay
Places to stay in Bala
Inns, guest houses, lakeside campsites and cottages in and around the town.Search places to stay in Bala
Live prices and availability from Booking.com, for hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and holiday homes.
Nearby
More to explore
Snowdon.comOur guide to Eryri, Yr Wyddfa, its paths and the mountain railway.Visit the site →Llangollen.comDown the Dee Valley: the aqueduct, the steam railway and the town.Visit the site →Harlech.comOver the mountains to the coast: Harlech Castle and its huge beach.Visit the site →
Bala sits between the Dee Valley and the mountains. Carry on to Llangollen, Ruthin or Betws-y-Coed, see our Eryri guide and Gwynedd Council page, or browse all areas.
