Pic 2, the path to Crimpiau and Capel Curig
Walk Llyn Crafnant and Crimpiau, for some of the best views in Snowdonia.
Pic 3, cannon stone on Crimpiau, seen from above.
Llyn Crafnant from Crimpiau, pic by Lisa Wells
View from Crimpiau, pic by Lisa Wells
Pic 1, Lakeside Cafe, Crafnant.
The walk round Llyn Crafnant is probably the most popular walk in the Conwy Valley.
If you add the easy ascent of Crimpiau, 1558ft, with its wonderful views, you have the makings of a great 7-mile day out. The path round Llyn Crafnant is accessible for wheelchairs, bicycles and buggies.
Getting there…
Directions to free Car Park, Llyn Crafnant, Trefriw LL27 0JZ
B5106 to Trefriw. Take road signposted Llyn Crafnant at Mary Bella’s Cafe (recommended, closed Thursdays). Steep hill to outskirts of Trefriw, becomes a narrow lane with passing places (busy at weekends) for two miles.
Crafnant car park is on the right, free parking and free toilets.
Note: Crafnant is Welsh for garlic valley. According to Gwyn Williams, who farms there, Crafnant is also Welsh for scratch valley, because of the evil midges there!
Leave the car park and walk along the road for 300 yards to Llyn Crafnant. At 628ft above sea level, Crafnant is one of the loveliest places in north Wales, a 63-acre lake with trout fishing.
Pass the monument and continue to the very popular Lakeside Cafe, open April to October, pic. 1.
Pass the Scouts’ camp at Cornel, then pass Maes Mawr on your right. (I’ve been taking hives of bees to the heather near here, every August for about 30 years).
Continue to a new metal gate. Walk straight ahead onto a grassy path, leaving the lakeside path. pic. 2.
Cross field and go through a gate, then bear right. The path rises gently, with good views back to Crafnant.
Continue to a gap in the wall, then turn sharp right onto the path up Crimpiau. After five minutes, bear right where the path divides. It’s then an easy scramble up to the cannon stone, pic. 3. Turn right onto a well-made path and head for the summit.
There are great views from the top. Looking from the left, you can see Moel Siabod, the two lakes at Capel Curig, with Moel Hebog beyond, Snowdon Horseshoe, the Glyders, Tryfan and Pen yr Ole Wen.
Return to the lakeside path by the same route and bear left, passing the attractive little chalet Tan y Manod. Cross a wooden footbridge at Hendre and continue on the all-ability path around the lake.
Pass a new commemorative seat, well-placed with a good view of the lake. Go through a kissing gate near the end of the lake, and return to the car park.
The Fairy Falls Hotel in Trefriw is a good place to wind down from the walk. Trefriw also has a good butcher’s shop, with excellent home-made pies. The Old Ship Inn serves good food, and holds a quiz on Sunday evenings.
Useful links
Wikipedia
Trefriw Outdoors
Compiled by Peter McFadden updated January 2022