Llyn Crafnant trail

Directions to the start of the trail

From the town of (reached via the B5106 from to Betws-y-Coed), turn right into the lane opposite the Fairy Falls pub (signposted to , , Llyn Crafnant and ). Turn left at the fork and follow Crafnant river for about two miles. Park in the Forestry Commission car park in the woods on the right (£1 fee).

Enjoy an inspiring walk with a wealth of different habitats. The stunning setting of this lake, which is surrounded by forests and mountains, makes it a fabulous walk at any time of the year. The wide mix of habitats gives you the chance to spot many different birds as you enjoy the scenery. Buzzard

8 Trail information Distance: 3 miles Facilities Photographs Llyn Cranfnant (The Time: 3 hours at beginning/end of trail Photolibrary ) Grid reference (start): SH 756 618 Buzzard by Mike Lane Landranger 115 Explorer OL17 Long-tailed tit by Steve Knell (£1) Great crested grebe and chick by Richard Revels This is an easy walk, but there are two stiles. Mallard by Laurie Campbell (all rspb-images.com) Halod Arthen 5 Look out for…

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6 Cynllwyd

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Hendre 2 Cornel

7 Maes Mawr

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The route Long-tailed tit

Leave the car park and turn right loud call, which gives them their name. The 1 along the tarmac road with the river path becomes quite steep here as it takes on your right. Look out for dippers feeding you through the pine trees. Cross the stile on insect larvae and freshwater shrimps and meet up with the forest track. in the fast-flowing River Crafnant. You are now on the opposite side 5 of the lake. From here, you have 2 If you have binoculars, scan them over the water as Llyn Crafnant magnificent views of the surrounding comes into view. You may see water birds, mountains. Listen for the mewing call including great crested grebes, and dabbling of buzzards, which can often be seen ducks, such as mallards. soaring overhead.

Continue the circular walk, keeping As you walk through the mixed 3 6 the lake on your right. You will soon woodland, look out for seed- and reach signs to the café (open 8 am–6 pm insect-eating birds, such as goldcrests, Great crested grebe and chick during the summer). (If you leave the main chaffinches, coal tits and small social flocks path to enter the café, look out for the of long-tailed tits. Scan the UK’s smallest bird, the goldcrest, in the tree trunks carefully for the mouse-like low-hanging fir trees.) movements of treecreepers.

Eventually, the tarmac path becomes As you reach the end of the track, 4 7 an un-metalled track. Go through cross the river and make your way the gate and the path bears right. You are back along the tarmac road to the car now at the top end of the lake. As you park. If you have a picnic at the benches approach the first of two white painted on the far side of the car park, you will summerhouses, stop to scan the tops be rewarded with close-up views of of the ferns for the striking colours of chaffinches as they come to investigate stonechats. Listen, too, for their sharp, your sandwiches!

Mallard