Llyn Craftnant and Llyn Geirionydd

This is a longer walk than any of the others in this section. Credit for this walk goes to Mr Andrew Jones, who used it several times when the weather was too poor to take us into the higher mountains. The walk begins at Capel Curig, and then goes over grassy ground to Llyn Craftnant. You walk around the lake, and then after a walk through trees reach Llyn Geirionedd, which is used for water sports. The walk goes along the length of the lake, and then cuts back through the forest. The original route went down the road to the Ugly House, but I feel that the forest route is more enjoyable.

Start at Capel Curig, and take the path which crosses a stile opposite the cafe and outdoor shop. This is a clear path which will take you across fields. You will pass Clogwyn Mawr on your left, before the path forks. Take the route off to your left and carry on as you gain height gradually. From the high point you will decend to Llyn Craftnant. There is a minor road going around the right of the lake (as you look at it), however it is more enjoyable to take the forest track on the other side. You take a path past some houses and make your way to the path along the edge of the lake. To your left are Creigau Gleision, described as in the Carneddau section. It is a difficult and wet walk to descend from them to Llyn Craftnant, since the forest paths are never the same as on the map (last time it took 3 days of summer sun for my boots to dry!)

When you reach the end of the lake you will pass a monument. I cannot currently remember what for. A five minute walk down the road will lead to a forest track on your right. Take this and follow it to a sharp turn. From here take a path which will gain height again. This track will lead to Llyn Geirionydd. The lake is used for water sports, and it is quite likely there will be sailing on it. Once again you could walk down the road, or take a track at the edge of the woods. This will probably be more enjoyable. At the end you will re-join the road, (remember to take a left and not go through the forst back to Llyn Craftnant). You can now pick a route back through the woods to Capel Curig (a route I have not taken, but which looks quite pleasant, and is plotted on the map), or follow the original route I took with school.

If you choose the latter, you are now left with road walking. Simply follow the minor road taking a right after about 20 mins when you reach a junction. Now stay on this minor road till you reach the Ugly House (Ty-hyll). This comes from the time that there was an ancient law that stated if you could start building a house in the morning and have smoke coming out of the chimney by night then you would not have to pay tax on the land. It is now just a matter of getting back to Capel. The most enjoyable way is to walk a short way to the left down the A5 and join the minor road which is never very busy. You should be able to get views towards Moel Siabod, and will re-join the A5 by the starting point suggested for a walk up Moel Siabod. There is now only a 20 minute walk along the A5 back to Capel.

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