Gwydir Forest Park - Llyn Crafnant, near Llanrwst

Welcome

Llyn Crafnant lies in a beautiful valley where the edge of the forest meets the lower slopes of the Carneddau mountains.

“Llyn” is Welsh for lake but Llyn Crafnant is actually a reservoir and it was once the water supply for the nearby town of Llanrwst.

Llyn Crafnant is three quarters of a mile long and the view from the head of the lake over the water to the mountains is one of the finest in North Wales.

Three waymarked walks set off from the car park, one of which is an accessible trail along the riverside, and you can also walk to the nearby lake of Llyn Geirionydd.

The reservoir and lakeside café are privately owned.

Walking trails

The walking trails are waymarked from start to finish.

Look out for the information panel at the start of the trails.

Find out about walking trail grades.

Afon Crafnant Amble

• Grade: Accessible
• Distance: ½ mile/0.6 kilometres
• Climb: Level
• Time: 30 minutes
• Trail information: This well surfaced 1.2 metre wide trail has an easy gradient and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The four picnic benches are less than 100 metres apart – three of them are wheelchair friendly. There is also a 'fascinating tree facts' trail to follow.

Try this easy short trail, suitable for the whole family, winding its way through a variety of trees, from tall conifers to young birch and an open grassy area next to the bubbling river.

Take a seat at one of the well-placed picnic benches and listen and watch for wildlife.

Or find the ‘disappearing signs’ along the trail, which tell you some fascinating facts about the trees and wildlife that live in the area.

Llyn Crafnant Circuit

• Grade: Easy
• Distance: 3¼ miles/5 kilometres
• Climb: 94 metres
• Time: 1-2 hours
• Trail information: This circular route follows a mixture of wide tracks, tarmac and forest roads, with some rougher sections alongside the lake. There are gates along this trail including accessible kissing gates.

Take in the view across the lake to the crags at the head of the Crafnant Valley and Cwm Glas Crafnant National Nature Reserve.

Follow the trail climbing gently up the valley; the view is framed by imposing crags and old slate mines.

The woodland on the steep cliffs above is a rare type of ash woodland.

There are no paths through the very steep reserve so it is best viewed from this walk.

Return to the car park by following the tarmac road.

Crafnant View

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 3 miles/4.8 kilometres
• Cimb: 295 metres
• Time: 1½-2½ hours
• Trail information: The trail is on a combination of forest roads, tarmac road, and a steep narrow footpath, less than 80 centimetres wide, on an unmade and uneven surface, with mud, rocks and tree roots. There are two small fords to cross, a kissing gate and a barrier with a gap to the side. There is a bench at the viewpoint where you can get your breath back and admire the view.

Admire the panoramic view across the Crafnant Valley, with the Carneddau mountain range visible behind.

Climb steadily up a forest track to reach a log bench, and from here take in the view of Crimpiau and Craig Wen across the valley.

Continue until the waymarkers send you off on a narrow forest path.

You’ll feel a change in atmosphere as you step into the dense shade and silence of a spruce plantation.

Apart from the occasional squawk from a jay, the stillness is a pleasant contrast to the buzz around the lake on a busy day.

Crafnant to Geirionydd Trail

• Grade: Moderate
• Distance: 5 miles/8 kilometres
• Climb: 300 metres
• Time: 2-3 hours
• Trail information: The trail is on a combination of forest roads, tarmac road, and a steep narrow footpath, less than 80 centimetres wide in some places, on an unmade and uneven surface, where you can expect mud, rocks and tree roots. There are two small fords to cross and a kissing gate just before you meet the council road. There are also two forest barriers you will need to walk around with a gap of around 70 centimetres at the side. There are picnic benches and toilets in both car parks, and a bench at the viewpoint above Crafnant.

This trail goes through the forest and takes in the two beautiful lakes of Geirionydd and Crafnant.

Gwydir Forest Park

Llyn Crafnant is in Gwydir Forest Park.

Gwydir Forest Park lies in the heart of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and encircles the village of Betws-y-coed.

Lead and zinc mining once dominated the area and the legacy of old engine-houses, waste tips and reservoirs are characteristic features of the forest landscape today.

Several of the most important mines have been partially restored and made safe for visitors.

Waymarked trails start from Betws-y-coed and several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park:

• Betws-y-coed - peaceful forest walks away from the tourist bustle
• Cae'n y Coed - easy-to-find picnic area and walk with panoramic mountain views
• Cyffty Mine - short trail around abandoned lead mine
• Dolwyddelan - walking trail along Roman road and cycle trail with mountain views
• Hafna - walking trail through lead mine ruins and red-graded mountain bike trail
• Llyn Geirionydd - picnic site with walking trail around two beautiful lakes
• Llyn Sarnau - picnic spot with a walk to two scenic lakes
• Penmachno - remote mountain bike trails with spectacular views
• Sawbench - two red-graded mountain bike trails and historical walk 
• Ty’n Llwyn – walking trail to the famous Swallow Falls waterfall

Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park

Gwydir Forest Park is set in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.

Eryri is the largest National Park in Wales and is home to picturesque towns and villages and the highest mountain in Wales.

It is looked after by the Eryri National Park Authority.

For more information about visiting Eryri go to the Eryri National Park Authority website.

National Forest for Wales

Gwydir Forest Park forms part of the National Forest for Wales.

The National Forest will:

• create areas of new woodland
• enhance existing woodlands
• restore Wales’ irreplaceable ancient woodlands

It will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.

Parts of the network will eventually form a trail running the length and breadth of Wales, so anyone can access it wherever they live.

For more information go to the National Forest for Wales website.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Accessibility information

Facilities for visitors with disabilities at Llyn Crafnant include:

• parking for Blue Badge holders
• Afon Crafnant Amble accessible trail
• accessible toilets

Opening times

Please check the top of this webpage for any changes to these standard opening times.

The toilets are open at all times.

The lakeside café is privately owned.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

Llyn Crafnant is 4 miles west of Llanrwst. 

Postcode

The postcode is LL27 0JZ.

Please note that this postcode may not take you to the car park if you use a sat nav or navigation app.

We suggest you follow the directions below or use the Google map on this page which has a pin on the car park’s location.

Directions

Follow the B5106 from Llanrwst to Trefriw.

In Trefriw turn left onto a minor road opposite the pub.

Follow this narrow road for 2 miles until you reach the car park, just before the road reaches the lake.

What3Words

View this place on the What3Words website.

Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the car park is SH 756 618 (Explorer Map OL 17).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Llanrwst.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

The Natural Resources Wales car park and toilets are located just before the road reaches the lake.

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

Contact details

There are no staff at this location.

Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.