Short Walks In The Crafnant Valley

Use O. S. Outdoor Leisure Map 17 Snowdon and Conwy Valley 1: 25000

Blaen y Nant is grid reference 738603

1. Llyn Crafnant. Go clockwise or anticlockwise round lake, café at Cynllwyd open during summer months. 3 miles - easy.

2. Llyn Geirionydd. Take road NE to phone box, then footpath SE up and over to southern end of Geirionydd. Go up left side of lake, then on N past monument. Turn W past a disused quarry and a tip, and go down to forestry car park and back up either side of Llyn Crafnant. 5 miles - beautiful.

3. Crimpiau. Head SE up footpath behind hut to the col. Then W along tracks up Crimpiau, continue N past Castell y Gwynt and turn NE down under Craig Wen (untracked). 2 miles - rocky.

4. Craig Wen/ Greigiau Gleison Extension. As previously to Craig Wen, then continue N and NE towards Creigiau Gleision. Then E and pick up main footpath. Go S down through forest along tracks and paths past Hendre. 6 miles - seems longer than it is!

5. Capel Curig. Go SE up footpath behind hut to the col, then down for 1.5 miles. Turn W at footbridge then either fork left down to Bryn Tyrch - garage, shop, pub and café, or continue due W down to Capel Curig road junction to find café, shops, P.O. and Plas y Brenin, returning the same way. 5 miles - moderate.

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Some Longer Walks In The Crafnant Valley And Surroundings

Use O. S. Outdoor Leisure Map 17 Snowdon and Conwy Valley 1: 25000

Blaen y Nant is grid ref 738603

1. Trefriw. Paths either side of the Afon Crafnant lead down to Trefriw. You can visit the woollen mills, the Fairy Falls waterfalls behind the mill, Trefriw Wells Spa, pubs and Parry Jones butchers and grocery shop. Llanrwst is also interesting (look out for its amazing bridge).

2. Betws y Coed. Various forest tracks lead SE over to the A5 and Ty- hyll (The Ugly House). Then go on to the Swallow Falls and to the fleshpots of Betws - gear shops, cafes and pubs.

3. Gwydyr Castle. Walk via Geirionydd down to the castle (a house really, but worth a visit). The Marin off-road cycle track starts at grid ref 786603. It’s 25K long and good fun. There are numerous forestry walks in the forest; the paths by Llyn Parc are particularly lovely.

4. The Carneddau. Access these mountains from Craig Wen (W behind the Hut) via Pen Llithrig y Wrach and over to Craig yr Ysfa and Cwm Eigiau.

5. The Glyders. Walk over to Capel Curig and go W along the Afon Llugwy towards Tryfan.

6. Moel Siabod. Go over towards Capel Curig, then via Pont Cyfyng heading S.W. towards the mountain.

7. Llyn Cowlyd. Walk down past Llyn Crafnant and the forestry car park to Cae Cryn then head NE through the woods, then W and over to Llyn Cowlyd . Go SW along the lake, then SE along the leat (water course) and up and eventually left to the S of Craig Wen and down to Blaen y Nant.