Craflwyn, Hafod y Llan and Llyn Dinas circular walk
This route starts and finishes at Craflwyn, but allows you to explore much of the wider Nant Gwynant valley. Take in the wild and lonely heath and ffridd beneath Yr Aran, the lower slope of Wales' highest peak, Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon, amazing waterfalls of Afon Cwm Llan and the stunning Llyn Dinas lake. Along the way you'll learn about this fascinating landscape and how we're protecting it.
Be prepared for a day in the mountains
Only parts of this route is way marked, please ensure you have a map and compass with you, check the weather before setting off and be prepared for a day out in the mountains. The route also takes you through several farms, therefore you are likely to encounter livestock.
Map
Start:
Craflwyn National Trust car park, LL55 4NG
1
From the National Trust car park at Craflwyn take the footpath leading up through the woodland. At the fork in the path, follow the black arrow way-marker to the right. Continue past the dragon bench and then up some steps with a small waterfall to your left.
2
At the top of the steps follow the path to the right, through some birch trees and into a clearing. Continue ahead following the black arrows and ignoring two paths that lead to the right. Stop off to admire the view from the Giant's chair on your right, before continuing to the left and climbing up some steps (ignore the stile on your right) and follow the path as it weaves up, cross a small stile over a fence and head up towards the ffridd.
A landscape steeped in legend
Stop at the Giant's chair for excellent views of Sygun Copper Mine directly ahead and Moel Hebog to the right. The rounded hill top below, Dinas Emrys, is where the legendary battle between two dragons took place, one red and one white. The victorious dragon became the national emblem of Wales, displayed on the country's flag.
3
Follow the path east towards Bylchau Terfyn. There's usually a carpet of bluebells in the ffridd on your left in early summer. Cross a stile at the wall and continue following the black way-markers. When you reach the bridge near an old ruin, turn left onto a track and continue upwards.
4
Turn left again at the next ruin. Continue on the path until you reach another stile over a wall. Follow the way-markers down towards the Watkin Path, on a clear day you'll be able to see Llyn Gwynant and Moel Siabod in the distance.
Bylchau Terfyn
As you walk through Blychau Terfyn, look out for a heard of Welsh Black cattle grazing in amongst the fluffy white cotton grass, a key indicator for blanket bogs. The cattle are light on their feet and graze the plants more sensitively compared to sheep. You might notice bags of stone dotted along the way, these have been flown in by helicopter to allow us to repair the footpath and reduce erosion. Donations towards our Snowdonia Appeal have also enabled us to employ a dedicated footpath team who work on popular paths across north Snowdonia.
5
When you reach a track (the Watkin Path) turn right and descend the lower slope of Wales' highest peak, Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon. (Please note the black way-markers end here.) The impressive Afon Cwm Llan waterfalls will be on your left and the last stretch of the Watkin Path takes you through beautiful ancient oak woodlands of Parc Hafod y Llan.
Hafod y Llan
The southern side of Snowdon is part of our Hafod y Llan farm estate and includes a National Nature Reserve on the higher slopes, where our shepherd keeps the sheep away from sensitive plants. It also includes the Watkin Path, one of seven routes up Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon. The path was created by Sir Edward Watkin in 1892 and officially opened by Prime Minister, William Gladstone as Britain's first public footpath, nowadays it attracts over 70,000 walkers each year. As you follow the river down you're also passing our largest hydro electric scheme, which is helping us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
6
At the bottom of the track, turn right onto a lane and then right again at the main road. After passing Caffi Gwynant take the next left turning, crossing the river Glaslyn. Followed by the first right, signposted Llyndy Isaf Farm. Follow the track past the farm and walk along the shores of Llyn Dinas, you will pass through several gates on the way.
Farming for experience
Llyndy Isaf is the home of our farming scholarship, where young farmers get the chance to learn about nature friendly farming on the banks of the beautiful lake, Llyn Dinas. Thanks to careful grazing the woodlands here are expanding naturally and the heath and ffridd are rich in wildlife.
7
At the end of the lake, continue straight ahead and through a gate, following the Glaslyn river downstream towards Beddgelert. Follow the path until you reach the old Sygun Copper Mines, from here take the right towards the main road. At the road turn left and continue along the road until you reach Craflwyn on your right.
End:
Craflwyn National Trust car park, LL55 4NG
