Llanrwst to Betws-y-Coed - Friday 6 September 2024
Route
Bron Derw - North Llanrwst - Gowers Bridge - Trefriw - Llyn Crafnant - Cynllwyd - Llyn Bychan - Ugly House - Afon Llugwy - Swallow Falls - Miners Bridge - Betws-y-Coed
Parking
We began the walk from Bron Derw Caravan Park. However there is plenty of parking in Llanrwst and therefore the walk can be started from the village.
Mileage
11.4 miles
Terrain
A mixture of road walking along quiet lanes, woodland paths & forest tracks
Weather
Sunny & warm with light breezes
Time Taken
5hrs
Total Ascent
1575ft (480m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
Walkers
Dave & Angie
Bron Derw - North Llanrwst - Gowers Bridge - Trefriw - Llyn Crafnant - Cynllwyd - Llyn Bychan - Ugly House - Afon Llugwy - Swallow Falls - Miners Bridge - Betws-y-Coed
Parking
We began the walk from Bron Derw Caravan Park. However there is plenty of parking in Llanrwst and therefore the walk can be started from the village.
Mileage
11.4 miles
Terrain
A mixture of road walking along quiet lanes, woodland paths & forest tracks
Weather
Sunny & warm with light breezes
Time Taken
5hrs
Total Ascent
1575ft (480m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
Walkers
Dave & Angie
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GPX File
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Route Map
Time for a nice linear walk today from the door of our caravan in Llanrwst to the bustling village of Betws-y-Coed. Our plan was to walk there via Trefriw & Llyn Crafnant, have a drink and some dinner at Y Stablau in Betws-y-Coed and then catch the train back to Llanrwst.
Llanrwst takes its name from Saint Grwst, a 6th-century saint. The market town developed around the wool trade and became known also for the making of harps and clocks. For many years the price of wool for the whole of Britain was set here. The growth of the town in the 13th century was considerably aided by an edict by Edward I of England (who built nearby Conwy Castle) prohibiting any Welshman from trading within 10 miles (16 km) of the town of Conwy. Llanrwst, located some 13 miles (21 km) from Conwy, was strategically placed to benefit from this.
Llanrwst takes its name from Saint Grwst, a 6th-century saint. The market town developed around the wool trade and became known also for the making of harps and clocks. For many years the price of wool for the whole of Britain was set here. The growth of the town in the 13th century was considerably aided by an edict by Edward I of England (who built nearby Conwy Castle) prohibiting any Welshman from trading within 10 miles (16 km) of the town of Conwy. Llanrwst, located some 13 miles (21 km) from Conwy, was strategically placed to benefit from this.
From Bron Derw we headed along the road to North Llanrwst station then crossed the Afon Conwy via the Suspension Bridge.
The bridge is known as Gower's Bridge and was originally made of timber. It was built in 1881 by the Revered John Gower and replaced by the current structure in 1947. Originally a toll bridge tolling Llanrwst to Trefriw, it is now free to cross.
The bridge is known as Gower's Bridge and was originally made of timber. It was built in 1881 by the Revered John Gower and replaced by the current structure in 1947. Originally a toll bridge tolling Llanrwst to Trefriw, it is now free to cross.
The original Bridge and Toll House
The War Memorial above the Afon Crafnant in Trefriw
A mile in and it was time for a cafe stop in Trefriw - this would be the first of 3 cafes we would visit today
Opposite the cafe is The Fairy Falls Hotel - the falls themselves are nearby although we would not be visiting them today
The route exits the village via a gate that heads along the right hand edge of a children's playground
Exiting the playground, we were now out on open field paths
At the end of the fourth field the route reaches a rickety bridge at Gymannog. Whilst the bridge is not blocked off, it is best to turn right and walk a few yards down the lane to join the road between Trefriw & Llyn Crafnant.
Almost immediately opposite the rickety bridge is a redundant water wheel
The route continues along the Llyn Crafnant access road. This road was extremely quiet today however it would be wise to be careful on a busy Saturday in August.
Waterfall near Llyn Crafnant (Click Play to view)
Seen a lot of signs like this lately
Arriving at Llyn Crafnant - there is a large Car Park should you wish to start the walk from here and do an out and back to Betws-y-Coed
More lovely falls as we arrive at Llyn Crafnant (Click Play to view)
The obelisk monument at the north eastern end of Llyn Crafnant
The monument reads 'Erected by the inhabitants of Llanrwst to commemorate the gift to that town, of this lake with 19 acres of land and Llnllwyd Cottage by Richard James Esq. Dyffryn Au Llanrwst A.D. 1896.' At the time of the monument's erection water was given free to Llanrwst from Llyn Crafnant. Now the lake is leased to the nearby cafe and as there is no mains system set up here, water can be short in drought.
The monument reads 'Erected by the inhabitants of Llanrwst to commemorate the gift to that town, of this lake with 19 acres of land and Llnllwyd Cottage by Richard James Esq. Dyffryn Au Llanrwst A.D. 1896.' At the time of the monument's erection water was given free to Llanrwst from Llyn Crafnant. Now the lake is leased to the nearby cafe and as there is no mains system set up here, water can be short in drought.
Approximately half a mile along the road from the obelisk is a little gem of a cafe at Cynllwyd - and it was open
Cynllwyd Cafe on the shores of Llyn Crafnant
The view from the cafe south west looking over Llyn Crafnant to Craig Wen
Looking north east to Allt Goch
Relaxing with the cafe cat at Cynllwyd - meanwhile, next to me Angie's diet appears to be going very well
Dragging ourselves away from the cafe we continued along the road for a few yards where a path on the left heads uphill
The path continues uphill through forestry to reveal glorious views over Llyn Crafnant to Craig Wen & Pen Llithrig y Wrach
The forestry becomes bare as the route continues to climb steadily
Despite its rough appearance this was a lovely section
The forest path eventually reaches a hairpin bend on a wide track - we would be heading to the right
Llyn Bychan - another beautiful spot
Above the Afon Llugwy we joined the Snowdonia Slate Trail
The Snowdonia Slate Trail is an 83 mile circular walk starting and finishing in Bangor and aims to take the walker on a journey back in time to when Snowdonia was the centre of the slate industry. A link to the official website is here
The Snowdonia Slate Trail is an 83 mile circular walk starting and finishing in Bangor and aims to take the walker on a journey back in time to when Snowdonia was the centre of the slate industry. A link to the official website is here
Dropping down to the A5, the route passes The Towers Active Learning Centre
Ty Hyll - The Ugly House incorporating the independently run Pot Mel Tearoom. Legend has it that the house was built in the 15th Century and was home to The Snowdonia Society until 2010. Despite moving their premises to Llanberis, the Society still retains ownership and care of this unique property.
In addition to the Tea Room, The Ugly House has a beautiful garden where the external aspects of the property can be viewed. It is no surprise how the property could have been given its name - I mean just look at that brickwork! Whilst it is certainly rustic in appearance, it is extremely pretty to look at in its idyllic woodland setting. Nobody knows for certain who built it or when, but it is certainly unique and well worth a visit but make sure you bring plenty of cash........................
In addition to the Tea Room, The Ugly House has a beautiful garden where the external aspects of the property can be viewed. It is no surprise how the property could have been given its name - I mean just look at that brickwork! Whilst it is certainly rustic in appearance, it is extremely pretty to look at in its idyllic woodland setting. Nobody knows for certain who built it or when, but it is certainly unique and well worth a visit but make sure you bring plenty of cash........................
.......... on enquiring with Angie as to the price of 2 Coke Zeros and a piece of cake, I asked her if they had mistakenly charged her double. Having a Tea Room in a unique property does not allow you to take the piss.
From the Tea Room the route drops down to the Afon Llugwy which we would handrail all the way back to Betws y Coed
Long faces as we head along the Afon Llugwy
The start of Swallow Falls on the Afon Llugwy
Swallow Falls (Click Play to view)
Swallow Falls
The name Rhaeadr y Wennol (Welsh for 'the waterfall of the swallow') derives from the fact that the flow of the river is separated by a prominent rock into two streams of water that look like a swallow's tail. The similar sounding Rhaeadr Ewynnol (Welsh for 'the foaming waterfall') is a later coinage based on the adjective ewynnol 'foaming', which itself seems to have been coined at the end of the eighteenth century.
The name Rhaeadr y Wennol (Welsh for 'the waterfall of the swallow') derives from the fact that the flow of the river is separated by a prominent rock into two streams of water that look like a swallow's tail. The similar sounding Rhaeadr Ewynnol (Welsh for 'the foaming waterfall') is a later coinage based on the adjective ewynnol 'foaming', which itself seems to have been coined at the end of the eighteenth century.
Swallow Falls (Click Play to view)
At Grid Reference SH 780 570 the path splits above the Miners Bridge. Taking the left fork heads along the quiet road back to Betws y Coed whilst dropping down to the right leads to the Miners Bridge and the delightful path along the Afon Llugwy.
The Miners Bridge over the Afon Llugwy. The bridge is so called because it was used to cross the Afon Llugwy by local lead miners.
The northern side of the Miners Bridge from further down the Afon Llugwy
The Miners Bridge circa 1855
(picture courtesy of The National Library of Wales)
(picture courtesy of The National Library of Wales)
Passing through fields as we near Betws y Coed
The Afon Llugwy from the Pont-y-Pair Bridge in Betws y Coed
I think it's what we deserve after a lovely walk over from Llanrwst. Two ice cold pints of Cider and a bit of food at Y Stablau in Betws y Coed. We were catching the train back therefore this was quickly followed by another.
Nothing to see here - just a massive Cock with a bandage on its leg
Betws y Coed Station - a 5 minute journey back to Llanrwst