A circuit of Llyn Crafnant, near Trefriw

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This Snowdonia walk provides aeasy circuit of picturesque Llyn Tranant, a reservoir nestling in the Carneddau mountains. The route is easy to follow and provides some rugged scenery without to much effort. Ideal for a family walk and picnic.

Technical sheet

n°293228
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 78 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 77 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 221 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 171 m
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Description of the walk

(S/E) The Carneddau mountains are probably the least visited part of Snowdonia and this easy circular walk provides excellent views and a flavour of this area. Llyn Crafnant is a reservoir dammed in 1874. The start is the parking and picnic are at grid ref. SH756618, which is reached by driving up a narrow lane which leaves the B5106 Conwy to Llanwrst road in the village of Trefriw.

After parking walk up the lane towards the reservoir and take the waymarked path along the north shore of the reservoir. You are immediately rewarded with fine views along the lake with the rugged peaks at its south-western end particularly notable. The path is easy to follow and leads to Hendre (grid ref.SH739605)(1). Turn left here down to the road at Blaen y nant (SH739602). Turn left along the road and you have an easy walk back to the start(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 171 m
  2. 1 : km 2.24 - alt. 209 m - Hendre - Turn left
  3. S/E : km 5.19 - alt. 172 m

Practical information

Refreshments are available at the Lakeside Café which is open in the summer. There are also many places to have a picnic along the route.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
francismunson
francismunson

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Nice easy walk got back car park with clean boots
Good car parking clean toilets and picnic tables
Wombling Free
Wombling Free

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's a narrow road from Trefriw up to the car park, sometimes with agricultural and timber traffic on it, but be patient and you'll get there!
The car park is large enough and spacious, and the toilets are very good.
There are four way-marked trails starting at the car park, including this one.
The walk itself is an easy circuit of Llyn Crafnant, with superb views.
There's a café on the south shore, but it was closed on our trip.
Loxtons
Loxtons

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely easy walk on a mostly level path with beautiful scenery and stunning views. The road to the starting point was extremely narrow and windy, with a bit of a hold up while oncoming traffic had to reverse! But once there we followed the Yellow walk signs round the lake. Thank you - we wouldn't have found this beautiful place otherwise.

r.a.simpson
r.a.simpson

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We really enjoyed the walk and the scenery was beautiful.

We had a problem in finding the lake due to lask of knowledge of the area. The signpost pointing off the A5106 to Llyn Crafnant was unclear.

It would be helpful if a post code could be included for the starting point as well as a grid reference.

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