For a perfect day out, why not ride a narrow-gauge train on the Bala Lake Railway, along Wales’ largest natural lake. Llanuwchllyn (“the village above the lake”) is the headquarters of the Railway and regular trains link the village with the delightful market town of Bala.

Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake Railway) is one of the Great Little Trains of Wales. The 2ft gauge line offers a delightful 9 mile return journey along Llyn Tegid, through the beautiful scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. The little trains give excellent views of the lake amid its surrounding pastoral and woodland scenery, and of the nearby mountains, Arenig Fawr and Aran Benllyn.

The railway provides an ideal centrepiece for a day’s visit to Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake). A round trip of about I hour can be broken at any of the stations to enjoy other activities - a pleasant 10 minutes walk into Bala town for shopping or merely browsing access to the lake shore at various intermediate points for swimming, fishing or simply lazing by the waterside; the shaded woodland nooks at Bryn Hynod are ideal for picnics, and there is a large picnic site by the beach at Llangower.

Car Parking - There is adequate car parking at Llanuwchllyn Station. At Bala Station there is roadside car parking with large Car Parks in the town centre.

The line’s main station at Llanuwchllyn includes a well-stocked buffet and souvenir shop. Visitors can watch the engine being prepared for its trip to Bala and can visit the loco shed to see the other engines. Why not stroll down into the village for a view of rural Wales at its most peaceful?

Bala Lake Railway Society

The railway is assisted in its operations by the volunteer enthusiasts of its supporting society; Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid. As well as providing train crews, society members also carry out a wide range of other tasks, connected with the maintenance and running of the railway.

Members receive free and concessionary travel on several lines and a quarterly illustrated magazine keeping them in touch with events. The society is keen to welcome new members; details are available from Llanuwchllyn station.

Journey Times:-

 Llanuwchllyn - Bala - Return trip 1 hour; Single trip 25 minutes. Break of journey allowed at any station.

Bala - Llanuwchllyn - Return trip 1 hour 30 minutes as train stops at Llanuwchllyn to take on coal and water etc. Single journey 25 minutes

All trains arrive at and depart from Llangower 10 minutes after leaving Llanuwchllyn and 15 minutes after leaving Bala. Trains also call by request at Pentrepiod and Bryn Hynod halts. To join the train please signal to the Driver. To alight, inform the Guard when you board the train.

Note:- All trains finish their day's work at Llanuwchllyn; it is therefore not possible to make a return trip with the last departure from Bala.