There may not be a shorter article I ever write than that of the Lonely Tree, it could not be much easier to reach, but I love drawing attention to these beauty spots that I think everyone should experience. This is probably a competitor for one of the most Instagrammed places in Snowdonia, the lonely tree is unquestionably a stunning spot that evokes a certain feeling of wonder - this hardy little tree persists out in the waters of Llyn Padarn and perhaps feels even lonelier in the shadow of some of the tallest mountains Wales has to offer. Without further adieu, let us get you to the lonely tree so you can snap your own magical photos.
The Lonely Tree is just off of the A4086 in Llanberis, there is a turning off of the main road that takes you down to a gravel car-park that is about as close as you can get to the tree itself. Public transport in the area is a little limited, despite the Snowdon railway starting here there are no rail connections and so busses will be your best option. That is just about all you need to know as far as getting here is concerned, there are no colossal stretches of country lanes to navigate or warnings you should heed before taking on this journey, for such a secluded feeling spot it is hard to believe there is an A-road just beyond the tree line. The only warning worth considering is to pick your route around the car-park well as some of the potholes at the time of our visit were on the verge of being classified as valleys. Should you need them, at the far end of the paved road are some public toilets.
Next, onto the journey itself. Strap on your boots, prep as required because this walk will see you rambling cross country for literally seconds. The north edge of the car-park can practically already see the tree, all you need to do is head around a short bit of the lake's shoreline to a bench which is just about the best viewpoint for the tree.
Spring may be the better time to visit the tree, if Llyn Padarn has seen a particularly hot summer then the tree can practically rejoin with the bank, but if you visit after a winter with some good rainfall then sitting on the bench will see you ankle-deep in water. Try to strike a balance between all of the trees being full of colour and the water level still being high for the best views - in fact, if you are adventuring in autumn and it has been a particularly wet one, catching the lonely tree as it is losing its leaves and the far banks washed in oranges, yellows and reds can be a truly remarkable sight.
Had your fill of the tree but don't want the day to end? Well, walks are abundant around both Llyn Padarn and Llanberis so there is always an adventure waiting for you. The most obvious thing would be for you to wander around the lake's edge itself, skirting between the road and pathways where appropriate. Llanberis has plenty to explore, including plenty of open green spaces and of course the second lake to the south-east, Llyn Peris. Following the routes west out of Llanberis, you will eventually reach the far end of Llyn Padarn at Pont Pen-y-llyn, where the lake becomes the Afon Rhythallt - circling all the way around the lake is always an option turning this quick stop into a much grander day out. There are plenty of wonderful options for adventuring around here and you can scale the journey to whatever you are in the mood for.
If you have enjoyed this quick stop off in Llanberis then there are all kinds of attractions in the area to extend your day, if you fancy something a bit historical then you can explore the National Slate Museum on the opposite coast. Likewise, if you feel in the mood for seeing a bit of modern technology, a tour of Electric Mountain may be right up your alley. Fancy getting a different perspective over the landscape? Both the Llanberis path and Llanberis Mountain Railway are excellent options to get you up Snowdon and enjoying the mountain views - please remember, if you plan to walk it take all the necessary precautions and gear up appropriately! Dolbadarn Castle is another great stop-off, a great quick option if you are having a day out where you see as many quick stops as possible.
So that is the lonely tree, if you only want to see the tree then you will be glad to hear this couldn't be much simpler to get to - making it one of those perfect places to get to as part of a bigger days adventure! It may not be a grand day out, but I still think it is worth visiting and probably worth visiting multiple times, seeing the landscape change in different stages of seasons and getting another spectacular photo as a result. If you find yourself in the area, even if you only have a few minutes to spare, it would be hard to pass up such a gorgeous photo opportunity...
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