Once seen, the shy valley of Crafnant, can never be forgotten. Nestled in the foothills of the eastern Carneddau, the beguiling ‘valley of wild garlic’ is a tranquil, tree-fringed haven which soothes jangled nerves. The still waters of its lake are in stark contrast to neighbouring Llyn Geirionydd which, during the summer months, is blighted by brash powerboats and the scattered litter of uncaring visitors. Back in Crafnant, all is calm. At the head of the valley, the National Nature Reserve enjoys a profound hush but it is the enclosure of steep, craggy hills that will command your attention. This walk is a special one and inexplicably quiet once above the treeline. The mountains are rough and unkempt, wild and woolly, the views both intimate and far reaching. It is a walk of many moods and your emotions will be toyed with as you journey through the diverse landscapes encountered during the day; from bucolic to despoiled, spacious to claustrophobic, blissful to savage; The Crafnant Horseshoe has it all.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 7.46 miles (12 km)
Total ascent: 742m
Time: 4:30 – 6 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start Crafnant Car Park, SH756618; Finish , SH756619
Nearest town:
Llanrwst
Terrain:
Single track road, forestry track, boggy terrain, rocky summit
Seasonal variations:
A route for all seasons
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Snowdonia – Met Office: Snowdonia
Public transport:
The 19 bus runs from Llandudno to Betws y Coed and stops in Trefriw where the walk can be started.
Guidebooks:
The Mountains of Snowdonia Vol 1 - The Northern Peaks by John Gillham
Maps:
OS Explorer OL17 (1:25,000), Harvey/BMC Snowdonia (1:40,000), OS Landranger 115 (1:50,000)
Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route
Tourist info:
Betws-y-Coed (01690 710426); Conwy (01492 592248); Blaenau Ffestiniog (01766 830 360)
Further Routes
by Nicholas Livesey
- Allt Fawr and the Lledr Horseshoe 16 Aug
- Moel Meirch - Almost a Mountain 11 Jun
- Alport Castles - the Pride of Peakland 22 Feb, 2013
- The Round of Marchlyn Mawr 22 Feb, 2012
- Snowdon's Quiet Side - Cwm Clogwyn Round 19 Jan, 2012
- The Fairfield Horseshoe 18 Nov, 2011
- Blencathra's classic ridges: Sharp Edge & Halls Fell 17 Nov, 2011
- The Coledale Round 17 Nov, 2011
- The round of Gasgale Gill 1 Nov, 2011
- The Southern Carneddau 21 Oct, 2011