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There are days in Snowdonia when it is unsuitable to go onto the high peaks
described elsewhere on this site. The aim of this section is to suggest some
low level walks which you might like to try on these days. All routes are
described using Landranger 115 since it covers them all in a single map.
Unfortunately I do not have photos for these walks, but if I do get some in
the future I will add them.
A round of Aber Falls
There have been several walks which go higher around the falls suggested in
the section on the Carneddau. This is a lower walk
which goes up to the falls from the car park, and then carries on around below
Moel Wnion to finish back at the minor road from Abergwyngregyn.
The walk is approximately 6 km long with only 200m height gain. It can be
completed comfortably in 2.5 hours. You begin at the car park up the narrow
road from Abergwyngregyn and make your way to the falls, which are described
in other sections of this site. It is worth taking
time to call in at the visitors' centre which desccribes some of the
history of the local area. If you look right as you walk you will see the
remainder of your walk looping round. When you reach the falls after stopping
for a look you cross the Afon Rhaeadr Fawr (Rhaeadr Fawr meaning big waterfall
is the Welsh name for Aber Falls). You will now follow the clear track which
you are on over Afon Rhaeadr Bach (bach meaning small). The track will bend
round below Moel Wnion so that you will have taken a horseshoe shaped walk.
When it does this it is well worth looking back to see the falls with Llwytmor
behind them.
Carry on along this path and pass under the electricity pylons which can be
seen streatching along the hillside from the coast. Ahead of you is Anglesey,
with Puffin Island at the end. After 10 to 15 minuted. After 10 to 15 minutes
walk you will be turning off down a fairly steep slope (again on a path) on
the right. This takes you back to the road, and you walk up the road for
approximately 10 to 15 minutes to reach the car park.
Llyn Craftnant and Llyn Geirionydd
This is a longer walk than any of the others in this section. It requires
you to use public transport, or to walk along the road at the end of the day.
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 down a minor road to the A5, coming out by the Ugly House. The
distance to here is 12 km with approximately 200m height gain. An extra 4.5 km
will take you back to your starting point. It is a full days walk at around 5
to 6 hours.
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 lakef 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 route 3 in the Carneddau section. It
is a difficult and wet walk to desend 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 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 anchient law that stated if you could start building a house in
the morning and have smoke coming out of thf 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.
A round of Dolwyddelan
This is a half day walk, which starts and finishes at Dolwyddelan. I have
only been on it once, and the credit goes to Mr Pavyl Gregr of BVGS. The route
is 7 km long with approximately 290m of height gain. It can be completed in 3
hours quite comfortably. There are good views across to Mel Siabod, and
Dolwyddelan castle. There are substantially less trees than shown on the map,
much to the disapointment of PG who remembered all the forest before work
began. The description will be fairly brief since the route is quite
clear.
You can park just off the minor road which leaves the A470 to go to
Dolwyddelan Station. Follow the road as it takes a right and then a left,
becoming narrow. You now follow it straight along to its end (approx 2km).
Although there are trees shown on the map there has been a great deal of
de-forrestation, which has changed the landscape quite dramatically. As you
start walking along the road it is worth taking the time to look back towards
Moel Siabod from a different angle to that which you see when from other
ranges. At the end of the road you will see a track heading up into the forest
on your right. This will take you up to near Pen y Benar.
This is a good place to stop and look around towards the Carneddau to the
NNW and the Snowdon range to the NW. Now follow the path which carries on down
from here and at a fork take a right turn to allow you to walk off the road
back to your starting point. On this last section take time to look across to
Dolwyddelan Castle on the other side of the valley.
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