Best Wild Swimming in Mid Wales

Wild swimming, also known as outdoor swimming or cold-water swimming, has massively increased in popularity during recent years. More people than ever before are now braving the elements and swimming throughout the seasons. There are plenty of wonderfully wild swimming spots in Mid Wales to discover and we have gathered our top 5 spots for you here...

Wild swimming in Mid Wales provides the perfect opportunity to get some exercise, explore the local countryside and is even beneficial to your mental wellbeing, as it has been scientifically proven as an effective treatment for depression.

1) The Warren, Hay-on-Wye

Image Credits: Sophie at Third Eye Traveller

40 minutes drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions here

In the heart of Hay-on-Wye, this popular stretch of the river Wye is great for paddling and wild swimming alike. In the summer months, the river here is shallow and the current is slow, making it ideal for beginners and with a small pebble beach on the banks and lush green scenery all around, it's also a beautiful place to reconnect with nature.

2) Wolf’s Leap, Llanwrytd Wells

Image Credits: surfnslide

60 minutes drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions here

Situated in the smallest town of Britain, Llanwrtyd Wells, Wolf’s Leap is the perfect place for a refreshing dip. This series of deep pools is located on the river Irfon, running through the beautiful Abergwesyn Valley. The river cuts through a narrow gorge, boasting crystal-clear but cold waters. According to Llanwrtyd Wells Walkers Are Welcome, 'Legend has it that the last wolf leaped here to escape the Drovers who used the road to drive their cattle through the valley to the Grouse Inn at Abergwesyn'.

3) The Wash Pool at Irfon, Llanwrtyd Wells

Image Credit: Llanwrtyd Wells Walkers Are Welcome

60 minutes drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions here

This hidden gem is also set in Llanwrtyd Wells, providing a plethora of opportunities for wild swimming. Found at the end of a short gorge, this wide pool offers a combination of shallow and deep spots. Experienced swimmers can enjoy a long swim upriver, whilst spectators can tuck into a picnic along the riverbank.

4) Llyn y Fan Fach, Brecon Beacons

Image Credits: Tracy Purnell, via Ordnance Survey

2 hour drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions here or get full OS map and walking route here

Origin of the mythical 'Lady of the Lake', this glacial high lake is set around 1,800ft above sea level at the foot of Fan Brycheiniog, which is the highest peak in the Black Mountain range, situated inside the Brecon Beacons National Park, Carmarthenshire. This natural wild water sanctuary stretches across 25 acres and can reach depths of up to 29 metres, boasting the most stunning scenery of the Black Mountains and beyond.

5) Four Falls Trail, Brecon Beacons

Image Credits: Michelle at The Scrapbook of Life

1.5 hour drive from Hush Hush Glamping - get Google directions here

For the more avid hikers, this challenging 4 hour, 6-ish mile circuit encompasses not 1, not 2, but 4 little waterfalls. Michell at The Scrapbook of Life has tried and tested the trail and has an abundance of helpful information on her website here if you want to explore the trail for yourself.