Where
is it? Crafnant is located in a hanging valley between the
Carneddau range of mountains and the Conwy Valley, North Wales. Nearest
village is Trefriw.
How long will it take ? : Roughly 3.8 miles for long
route and 2.9 miles for shorter route. Allow approximately 2 hr
for lakeside walk, and allow 3hr for longer route that includes the
hill climb.
What's the attraction? : Beautiful views, waterfall, moss
covered rocks, wild ponies.
Essentials : Stout footwear. If you are climbing the hill take
usual hill walking precautions.
Rating : Mostly easy, level ground for walk around the lake.
But if the short hill section is included then moderate level of fitness
is required. Take care with the descent as the track is broken up.
Car Parking : Car Park, pay and display close to the lake at
the entrance to the valley, but we parked for free alongside the road!.
Facilities : Cafe and Toilets (for use of Cafe customers
only) and other refreshments are available
at the Lakeside Cafe, seasonal opening, 20th March to 31st October.
For further information, including Llyn Crafnant trout fishing, telephone
Llyn Crafnant Lakeside Cafe Tel :01492 640818.
Directions : [ Map
of Lake Crafnant Walk location ]
Take the B5105 south from Conwy or north from Betws-y-Coed to Trefriw. Take the
road opposite the Fairy Falls Hotel in Trefriw, uphill. Continue on this
road to Llyn Crafnant, some 2 miles. This road narrows to single file traffic
which can be disconcerting should traffic come in the opposite direction, however
there are many passing points along the road. |
 |
Lets Go !
The walk starts alongside the tumbling Afon Crafnant. On exiting the
car park follow the river
towards the Lake. Bear right on reaching the lake crossing a small bridge
and take the track on the northern edge of the lake. There are beautiful
views toward the hills of Crimpiau, Craig Wen and Creigiau Gleision from
this end of the lake.
Continue on the track to the south west end of the lake. Ignore the
first fork and keep to the higher trail. Eventually (1800m) the track
forks again, take the fork to the left, towards the lake. This section
cuts through some trees. Continue walking way beyond the end of the lake
until a track bears to the left, downhill. (Take a short detour to your
right while descending for views of a nice waterfall) Back to the track
and the path opens out at the top end of Llyn Crafnant. There are a few
cottages, Blaen-y-nant and Hendre, alongside the track, well to be exact
it is now a narrow road.
You now have the option of continuing along the road on the eastern
bank of the Crafnant for the shorter route or taking
the slightly longer and more interesting path over the hill. The map
above shows the longer uphill more scenic route.
To take the hill walk head south east up the footpath behind the Blaen-y-nant
cottage up to the coll.
On the day we visited there were several ponies grazing the hillside.
I thought they may have been the wild Carneddau horses that roam the
hills but I should have known better as they were so friendly, and I
have since been told they are a local farmer's Welsh Cobs.
From the top of the hill the
path itself leads on for a few miles down to Capel Curig but our walk
doubles back 
north east round the hill top back toward Crafnant. There
are more nice views of the lake from this point. Cross the ladder stile
and follow the track downhill. The downhill section of the track is broken
up due to erosion but it is not too difficult if you are reasonably fit.
The track cuts through a section of forest before reaching the road on
the south east of the lake. It is just a short walk to Cynllwyd and the
Lakeside Cafe where refreshments are available between March and October.
Tracks lead off from here to Llyn Geirionydd but that is for another
day.
Continue the walk along the lakeside road
for another 3/4 mile or so, passing a small monument, until you reach
the car park.
