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Best Low and Mid Level Walks in North Snowdonia

By Dave Roberts   

on April 2, 2017    5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, North Wales, Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Best Low and Mid Level Walks in North Snowdonia

Here’s a selection of lower and mid level walks in Snowdonia that are mostly circular and provide a change from the usual Snowdon and Tryfan honeypots. These walks are perfect for active families looking for moderate walks in Snowdonia. Remember that these are not necessarily ‘easy’ routes, just ones that avoid the tops. They’re perfect for winter walks in Snowdonia that avoid the snow, providing the snow stays at altitude of course!

1 – Around Llyn Padarn

The circuit around Llyn Padarn lake from Llanberis makes a good half day’s walking, at a very leisurely pace and including a long lunch at Y Caban in Brynrefail. If the weather remains clear, then the views towards Yr Wyddfa and Crib Goch are a classic.

1 - Around Llyn Padarn
1 – Around Llyn Padarn

2 – Cwm Idwal

Another lake, this time nestling beneath the cliffs of the Glyderau. This walk can get rather busy, especially popular to walk off that lunch! This is a favourite walk, and keen readers of Mud and Routes may wonder which list this route doesn’t appear on!!

2 - Cwm Idwal
2 – Cwm Idwal

3 – Llynnoedd Crafnant and Geirionnydd from Capel Curig

This is a longer route that takes a good half a day, if you want to get some distance in at the same time as avoiding the higher peaks. You can diverge from the route at Llyn Geirionnnydd and take a footpath towards the Hafna mines and Llyn y Parc if you want to make a full day of it (as well as walking a decent 26km)

3 - Llynnoedd Crafnant and Geirionnydd from Capel Curig
3 – Llynnoedd Crafnant and Geirionnydd from Capel Curig

4 – Moel y Dyniewyd

This takes you up and over a minor hill, Moel y Dyniewyd, that most people won’t have heard about. However, the views from this little peak are amazing. This is well worth half a day’s walking and has some wonderfully rough sections that make you fell as if if you’re in real hill territory.

4 - Moel y Dyniewyd
4 – Moel y Dyniewyd

5 – Cwm Bleiddiaid and Llyn Dinas

On the edges of Snowdon, it’s worth adding a short detour into Cwm Llan if you do this one. Taking in Cwm Bleiddiaid below Yr Aran, as well as Llyn Dinas, there’s a bit of everything here. There’s a cafe in Nant Gwynant, and plenty of facilities in Beddgelert if you want to make a day of it.

5 - Cwm Bleiddiaid and Llyn Dinas
5 – Cwm Bleiddiaid and Llyn Dinas

6 – Crimpiau from Capel Curig 

This is another of those low peaks that provide an unrivalled and unexpected view. You’ll need a bit of navigational skill as there are few paths, but that’s just part of the challenge. If the conditions allow then you can continue onward to Creigiau Gleision, returning via Llyn Cowlyd.

6 - Crimpiau from Capel Curig
6 – Crimpiau from Capel Curig

7 – Sarn Helen from Capel Curig

This is an epic route compared to the rest. It’ll certainly get your legs going if you wanted a challenge. Starting off in Capel Curig, taking in Dolwyddelan and Betws Y Coed, the walk is full of interest as well as opportunity to re-fuel on the way. Just don’t get too tempted to stock up on too much outdoor kit in Betws y Coed, you’ll have a fair distance left to carry them!

7 - Sarn Helen from Capel Curig
7 – Sarn Helen from Capel Curig

Of course – there’s hundreds more routes on the site in Snowdonia and nearby area that might fit the bill (North Wales, Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula!)

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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