Craflwyn Ranger Run
This trail run starts and finishes at Craflwyn, but allows you to explore much of the wider Nant Gwynant valley, the quaint village of Beddgelert as well as the lower slope of Wales' highest peak, Snowdon and Mynydd Sygun, where old copper mines reside. Discover amazing waterfalls, run alongside lakes and rivers and learn about this fascinating landscape and how we're protecting it.
Please note this route is designed for experienced fell runners.
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. This route has been created in collaboration with expert trail runners and adventurers Jen and Sim Benson, as part of our Ranger Run Series.
Map
Start:
National Trust Craflwyn car park, LL55 4NG / Grid reference SH599489
1
From the 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
Head east towards Blychau Terfyn. 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. 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.
Meet our wildlife grazers
As you run 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 also notice bags of stone along the way, that have been flown in to allow us to repair the footpath and reduce the erosion.
4
When you reach a track (the Watkin Path), turn right and descend the slope of Snowdon. Please note that the black way-markers end here.
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 ensures the sheep are kept away from sensitive plants. As you follow the river down the lower slopes of Wales' highest peak, you're also running past our largest hydro electric scheme, which is helping us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
5
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 run alongside 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 regenerating naturally and the heath and ffridd are rich in wildlife.
6
At the end of the lake, turn left up a stone-pitched footpath that zig-zags up the hill. At the top continue for half a mile (ignore the first path on the right) at the fork, bear right.
Admire our footpath team's handy work
The zig-zag section of path leading uphill took our footpath team months to repair. There has since been a noticeable reduction in erosion along this section of the route, helping to minimize the impact on our fragile upland habitats.
7
From Bwlch y Sygun take the left path (heading south) then bear right, down Cwm Bychan. At the bottom continue past the car park and through the woods until you come to the river.
An industrial past
As you descend into the valley along the path you'll notice several pylons within the landscape. These are the remains of the aerial ropeway built in 1927 to carry ore from the upper end of Cwm Bychan down the valley. Historical accounts show that the system wasn't a complete success, with buckets often said to hit the ground, spilling their loads. The remains of the ropeway adits, spoil heaps and other buildings hark back to the area's industrial past.
8
Turn right at the river and follow the Glaslyn upstream. Taking care on the uneven rocky terrain and when crossing the railway. Continue straight at the rail crossing. Pass a footbridge on your left, follow the river upstream, before crossing a street and going through a gate.
Tackling problem plants
After passing through the stunning Aberglaslyn Gorge you follow the path along the river with the lower slopes of Mynydd Sygun on your right. These slopes were once a mass of invasive, non native rhododendron and not much else. Following years of ongoing work, the slope has been restored to a natural heath habitat which can support native wildlife. Our rangers are still working hard to tackle rhododendron elsewhere in the valley.
9
At the next gate, turn right onto a narrow lane, follow this to Sygun Copper mine. Here turn left onto the busy main road and left again until you reach Craflwyn car park on the right.
End:
National Trust Craflwyn car park, LL55 4NG / Grid reference SH599489
