Llyn Crafnant at Gwydir Forest Park (NRW)

Llyn Crafnant is a 0.75 mile long lake (well, reservoir actually) that lies in a beautiful valley where the northern edge of Gwydir Forest meets the lower slopes of the Carneddau mountains and, more specifically, the ridge of Cefn Cyfarwydd.

The head of the lake offers what could be regarded as one of the finest views, across the lake to the mountains above, in North Wales.

Crafnant takes its name from “craf”, an old Welsh word for garlic, and “nant”, a stream or valley. Even today the valley of Afon Crafnant smells of wild garlic when it flowers.

We have a car park with toilets just before the lake itself. There is a private lakeside café (open from Easter until late summer) where you can hire boats. Private boating and swimming is not permitted.

Try the three waymarked forest walks from here:

Afon Crafnant Amble (400 metres).
This trail goes along the side of the River Crafnant through areas of towering conifers, young birch trees and open grassy glades. There are benches along the route and the easy gradient and fine surface make it suitable for wheelchair access.

Llyn Crafnant Circuit (2.5 miles, 4 kilometres)
This a route around the lake. It starts on a tarmac road before going onto to a forest road that hugs the side of the water. The highlight is the view across the water to the towering crags at the head of the Crafnant Valley.

Crafnant View Trail (2.9 miles, 4.7 kilometres)
This trail starts with a long steady climb up a forest road to a log bench where there are views of some of Snowdonia’s finest scenery – lakes, mountains and forest. The trail then goes along a forest path and joins a tarmac road alongside Llyn Crafnant for the return to the car park.

You can download our leaflet from our website.

OS Grid Ref: SH 757618

Directions: Take the B5106 from Conwy or Betws y Coed to Trefriw, then follow signs to Llyn Crafnant. The road narrows to single track so care should be taken due to oncoming traffic. The nearest train station is in Llanrwst.