Crafnant Circular Walk – Creigiau Gleision, Craig Wen and Crimpiau

The Crafnant Circular is an interesting walk in the Carneddau mountains behind Llyn Crafnant. It offers stunning views of the Ogwen Valley and Llyn Cowlyd. You can also see many more Eryri highlights on a clear day.

This circular walk starts with ample parking in the Llyn Crafnant car park, which also has loos. However, you will soon leave any crowds behind as you peel off up into the woodland and up onto the mountains.

This route around the mountains behind Llyn Crafnant is typically very quiet. You’ll likely have the ridge completely to yourself on most days of the year.

If you’re looking for a shorter walk around the lake, then head to Natural Resources Wales. They have some shorter routes around Llyn Crafnant. These routes are suitable for all the family.

How long does the Crafnant Circular Take to walk?

It will take about 4.5 – 5hrs at a steady pace. As always, allow an extra hour for stops. Keep in mind that navigation will be difficult in low light and visibility. In some places, there is no clear path on the ground.

The route is 7.4 miles / 11.9km in total and the total ascent is 2429ft

Have a look at the forecast for this area here – Creigiau Gleision Weather Forecast

Which Summits are included in the Crafnant Circular?

You will conquer the following summits on this circular route around the back of
Llyn Crafnant.

Creigiau Gleision: 678 meters (2,224 feet)
Craig Wen: 548 meters (1,798 feet)
Crimpiau: 475 meters (1,558 feet)

Creigiau Gleision

Creigiau Gleision translates as Blue Rocks(or possibly greeny-grey rocks) It actually consists of 3 summits, not one. These include Craiglwyn and Moel Ddefaid. The OS Map shows 3 distinct heights marked, 634m, 678m and 623m.

Craig Wen

Craig Wen means White Rock, the summit is not particularly distinct as you travel over the ridge. From Craig Wen you can clearly see the grassy path ahead of you on this Crafnant Circular.

Crimpiau

Crimpiau is hands down one of my favourite small peaks. Walk from Capel Curig side or from Crafnant. Both are great walks. It has everything you’d want. There are rocky paths and epic views. You can get up and down in just a few hours. This route takes in Crimpiau as there’s no clear route to drop down from Craig Wen to the lake and back to the lakeside road (if you have found a good path that’s not death defyingly steep, let me know!)

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The Crafnant Circular Route

Where to Park to start the Crafnant Circular

Parking is free in the Llyn Crafnant car park and there are also free and well looked after loos. Turn up from the village of Trefriw, LL27 0JZ

Starting Walking

I decided to walk this route anti-clockwise starting on the right of the lake. You walk along the road on a wide track. Then, you can identify a path heading diagonally up into the woods. Keep following the path which climbs uphill through the woods until you come out into cleared woodland.

It looks a bit like a scene from a sci-fi film. All the trees are cut down, leaving stumps and trunks strewn around.

The ground can get boggy as you leave the woodland. You start to head up towards a stile and follow a fence line. Keep heading north and you will find another stile. At this point you will start to ascend up to Creigiau Gleision.

You will pass a small pool below and on your left. I decided to go closer because it looked so pretty. There were stunning views across to Moel Siabod and more.

You’ll soon get staggering views of Llyn Colwyd. There is a steep drop to your right, down into what is the deepest lake in Wales. It is full of ancient Arctic Char! Keep heading along the top of the ridge. The path is fairly clear now. You will find a cairn at the highest point.

After you have walked all the way along the tops and found the cairns (or just meandered not really worrying about hill bagging!) you will need to drop down into the between Craig Wen and Crimpiau. I couldn’t see anyway of making the route shorter by descending direct from Craig Wen.

As you drop down you’ll see some walls heading to the base of Crimpiau. Follow the line of the wall to the start of Crimpiau. Then zig zag up a fairly steep path to the summit.

The hike up Crimpiau is not too taxing. It may look challenging from the base because you have just lost lots of height! It’s worth it for another final look at those stunning views and a look back at Creigiau Gleision.

Next you make your way down the other side of Crimpiau. Head to the left. There is a clear path on the ground. It goes all the way to a recently updated wide track. From there you will turn left again and head back to Llyn Crafnant which will be in sight.

I visited in May. I was rewarded with the most stunning display of bluebells. My photos do not do it justice, I recommend a visit in spring.

The path easily leads you back to the road. You can choose to walk round either way. However, for a true circular walk, walking along the narrow tarmac access road is best.

Let me know if you have done this route or if you are planning to and have any questions. I’m intending to head back and do it the other way round soon. I will update this post with some additional pics of the stiles that I didn’t get first time round.