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Llyn Crafnant Walk – Circular Waymarked Trail

By Dave Roberts   

on March 1, 2023    5/5 (1)

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

Llyn Crafnant Walk – Circular Waymarked Trail

Route Essentials

Route Summary

A pleasant and easy waymarked trail around the picturesque Llyn Crafnant.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

5.4 km

Ascent

200 m

Time

2 hours at an easy pace

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Llyn Crafnant Car Park

Difficulty

Easy Walk, Trail or Fell Runs

Hazards

None other than the usual on a walk of this nature.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Llyn Crafnant Walk – Circular Waymarked Trail Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Llyn Crafnant Walk – Circular Waymarked Trail

This easy Llyn Crafnant walk makes an easy after lunch outing on a Sunday Afternoon when you’re not after anything too strenuous. It also makes an ideal starter trail run as the distance is short and there’s not much ascent on the route. Conveniently, there’s a café half way around Llyn Crafnant.

The walk follows a decent lakeside track in the main, but does have its share of slippery sections as you reach the end of the lake, so be careful. If you want to drag some non walking family members out for an afternoon, this is the walk to do it.

More information, and a printable map, is useful used in conjunction with a proper OS Map can be downloaded from the Natural Resource Wales site – Llyn Crafnant – Llyn Crafnant Walking Trails. 

Llyn Crafnant Walk – Circular Waymarked Trail Route Description

1. The walk starts at the Llyn Crafnant car park, a short distance (by car) from Trefriw. From the car park, you’ll need to walk uphill along the road for around 5000m until you arrive at the shores of Llyn Crafnant.  There are some impressive views here up the valley towards the crags of Craig Wen and Crimpiau (and an equally good view back in this direction from the walk over Crimpiau!) Keep an eye out for the yellow way markers – making it an easy walk to follow.

2. At the lake, turn right over a footbridge and you will join the easy forest trail that closely follows the shore of Llyn Crafnant.

Forestry track on the northern shore of Llyn Crafnant for SH7460 no description for this image © Copyright Dave Spicer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

3. Follow this trail along the shore of the lake and do not be tempted to take any forks that take you uphill! The route finding is quite straightforward. Once you have walked beyond the end of the lake, the track heads off across meadows towards the farm at Hendre.

Looking across boggy ground at the head of Llyn Crafnant for SH7460 no description for this image © Copyright Andy Waddington and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Footbridge over the Afon Hendre © Copyright Dave Spicer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Disused building beside stream near Hendre for SH7360 I have no idea what this is and would welcome suggestions. Given its close proximity to the stream which runs down to Llyn Crafnant I guess it may have something to do with water power as there are a number of cottages in the immediate area. © Copyright Richard Hoare and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Track near Hendre Track near Hendre in the Crafnant valley.

4. Turn left here to follow the good track across the valley, and it takes you clearly to a gate and a tarmacked road. You’re at the head of the valley, and the views are dominated by the crags of Cwm Glas Crafnant. 

Track from the Scout centre at Blaen y nant to the road to Cornel for © Copyright Dave Spicer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Crags west of Blaen y nant © Copyright Dave Spicer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

5. You can now follow this quiet country lanr to return to the car park. Despite being tarmac, it’s not an unpleasant way to return to the start and there are still plenty of views to be seen.  Half way along you will find the café, which will hopefully be open when you pass!

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

A pleasant and easy waymarked trail around the picturesque Llyn Crafnant.

Route Start Location: Llyn Crafnant Car Park

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
5.4 km 200 m 2 hours at an easy pace

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Easy Walk, Trail or Fell Runs

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

There’s a toilet block at start and a café, Llyn Crafnant Lakeside Café, at around 3/4 of the way around is open from Easter until late summer.

Hazards

None other than the usual on a walk of this nature.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Car parking is free of charge at the NRW Llyn Crafnant car park.

Public Transport:

None – nearest village is Trefriw, 2.5km away.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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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.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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