GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Llyn Crafnant

3 miles (5 km)

Llyn Crafnant is another beautiful reservoir in the Gwydyr Forest area of the Snowdonia National Park. There's a splendid 3 mile circular trail running around the lake with great views to the surrounding forests and Carneddau mountains. It's a fairly easy waymarked walk so perfect for an afternoon stroll in peaceful surroundings.
You can start the walk from the car park on Crafnant Road, just to the north of the reservoir. Head south from here and you can pick up the footpaths on the western side of the water. Follow the path through the woodland and past the lake until you come to the River Hendre. You turn left here and cross the river to return to the Crafnant Road. You can follow this quiet little country lane all the way back to the car park. On this section you'll pass the lakeside cafe where you can hire boats and stop for a bite to eat. There is also the option of picking up more woodland trails to the east of the lane if you prefer.
You can extend your walk by following more waymarked trails over Mynydd Deulyn to Llyn Geirionydd, about half a mile to the east. There's another nice circular trail to try here.
Just over a mile to the west you can visit Llyn Cowlyd where there is another nice trail running along the lake. The challenging climb to Moel Siabod also starts from nearby Capel Curig.

Postcode

LL27 0JZ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Llyn Crafnant OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Llyn Crafnant Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

A few miles to the east you will find the noteworthy market town of Llanrwst. Here you can try the circular Llanrwst Walk which visits some of the towns highlights. These include the splendid Gwydir Estate which contains a historic castle, an ancient chapel, the Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall and an expansive forest.
For some interesting local history try the Dolgarrog Pipeline Walk. This explores the area around the little village, visiting the impressive pipeline structure and the Coedty reservoir. Near here there's also the beautiful Llyn Eigiau where the reservoir dam was breached leading to the Dolgarrog Dam disaster of 1925.
Just east of Dolgarrog there's the climb to Cadair Ifan Goch, a National Trust owned area. From the summit of the hills there are excellent views over the River Conwy Valley to the Carneddau mountains.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Snowdonia Walks page.

Photos

Llyn Crafnant Monument - geograph.org.uk - 211840

Llyn Crafnant Monument

Llyn Crafnant - geograph.org.uk - 1433264

Lake view from near the start of the walk

Llyn Crafnant - geograph.org.uk - 1040506

Lovely countryside and hills

Crafnant Shore - geograph.org.uk - 265847

Crafnant Shore

Boats at Llyn Crafnant - geograph.org.uk - 1436933

Boats at Llyn Crafnant

Llyn Crafnant from Maes Mawr - geograph.org.uk - 1436993

Llyn Crafnant from Maes Mawr

Sheep may safely graze - geograph.org.uk - 1433276

Sheep grazing in fields above the water

The headlands of Llyn Crafnant - geograph.org.uk - 1551407

The headlands of Llyn Crafnant

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Llyn Crafnant.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Llyn Crafnant.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)