We normally only go to Llyn Crafnant, and this is classed as our low level walk; this time we decided to add in the neighbouring lake Llyn Geirionydd.  We parked in the car park behind Pinnacle Pursuits and Joe Browns! (SH720582) We called into Pinnacle Pursuits for Andy and Ray to get some last minute provisions! From here you head across the road towards the little chapel, which has a footpath to the left of it.(SH720581) You follow the well worn path across the field to a stile, once through this continue following the path which leads into a small wooded area, (SH725582). The path meanders in and to the edge of the woods. Once you are clear of the woods, you continue to follow the path down towards a stream. Cross the stream via a concrete bridge. (SH731581) This area of the walk can be quite muddy, and will continue to be so until you start to gain the high ground again. This part of the walk was quite uneventful, (unlike in 2006 see note at the end of this page), just the normal chit chat between the three of us and the taking of the odd photograph here and there. If you turn and look back the way you have just come, you can see some great views of the Snowdon Horseshoe in the distance. 

When you have reached the top of the rise, (SH738597) there is not much to see at this point as you are on a path between two quite close peaks, but as you descend, the view opens up!  In front of us we came across two white ponies. At first the view is of a deep basin. If you go off the track, and gain the high ground to your right, (SH738598) (a good place to have a break) you get a great view of Llyn Craftnant. Going back to the path, the path now snakes round to the left then the right. Once you have started to go right then Llyn Crafnant starts to come into view directly in front of you! As you look at the lake we will be heading down its left hand side to the far end.

Follow the track down the hill until you arrive at a dry stone wall, go to the right of this wall until you come to a stile, (SH739601) enter the field and head directly across towards some farm buildings. (SH738602) The farm house is a holiday cottage. (Blaen Y Nant) Go to the left of the farm house, and then turn right onto the driveway, keeping the farm house to your right. As the driveway bends to the right, follow the track to the front. (SH739602) Follow this track along the tree line until you arrive at a lane. (SH739604) Turn left along this lane, going past some lovely cottages. Continue along the lane past the last cottage, you start to climb through some trees, the path follows a stream, and you come to a small waterfall. Continue to follow the track until you meet a wider gravel track crossing your front (SH738606), turn right onto this track. Follow this track and soon Llyn Crafnant appears to your right hand side, another track comes in from the left (SH747610). If you turn and look south west, you should see the hill you came down. The track follows the shore line of Llyn Crafnant; follow the track all the way to the far end of Llyn Crafnant. (SH753615) The track bends round to the right going over a runoff from Llyn Crafnant; you get a lovely view along the length of Llyn Crafnant from here. The track comes to a junction with a lane (Crafnant Road). (SH753615). We would normally turn right here and head on up the other side of Llyn Crafnant, but today we turned left along the lane. Follow the lane going past a track on the right, and then one on the left which leads to a picnic area. (SH756618) Just past this, we turned right on what we thought was the correct route! Going uphill through ferns and quite rough terrain we made our way through trees until we made it to a track (SH758619) As it turns out, if we had taken the track to the right off the lane it would have bought us to this point without having to scramble over ferns and the such. (Yes we know a school boy error in the map reading). Where we joined the track there was at a hairpin bend, and instead of following the track we exited on the hairpin bend, following a path which brings you out next to some remains of some quarry buildings. We went past the end building then turned right; it was here we decided to have a spot of lunch. We sat on the remains of a wall by one of the ruins and chatted about the walk so far and checking which direction we would take from here. You get some nice views across the valley from here. 

Once lunch was finished, we headed east away from the ruins, following the path. The path then heads south towards the disused quarry. Once at the edge of the quarry we headed southeast until we joined up with a path (SH764616), where we turned south. From here we could see Llyn Geirionydd stretching out in front of us. The lake looked busy, with quite a few people around the edges and also on the lake in canoes and sailing boats. As we approached Llyn Geirionydd we could see a monument. This is known as the Colofn Taliesin Monument. (SH764615)  

From this end of Llyn Geirionydd, we turned left following a track over a small bridge over the runoff from Llyn Geirionydd (SH765614).This track meets a narrow road, where we turned right to follow the edge of Llyn Geirionydd. This was quite a busy narrow road, with people walking, cycling and driving along it to enjoy the facilities of Llyn Geirionydd, like swimming and boating. We followed this narrow road right to the far end of Llyn Geirionydd. We turned right; to go across the end of Llyn Geirionydd picking up a track which turns left (SH759603). Our route follows this track to a distinct path leading off to the right (SH757601). Taking this path through the trees, we started to climb up hill which became quite steep, and crossing the track which zigzags up the side of the hill. After crossing the track three times we met up with the track a fourth time. This time we followed the track a short distance until the track bears right - we continued straight up. (At this point I was totally worn out, taking a few steps then taking a breather). Imagine my relief when the track levelled off! We were back amongst the trees and some welcome shade, and had a chance to take a breather. We followed the path through the wood, until we arrived at a clearing, the main path turned left, following the tree line. We headed north across the clearing, this leads to the lane that runs along the east bank of Llyn Crafnant, it also brings you out right near to Llyn Crafnant Lakeside Cafe and Tea Gardens,(SH750609) (time for a well earned cuppa). We spent around half an hour here, chatting about the day so far.

From the Cafe, we rejoined the lane, (Crafnant Road) heading south. We followed this lane until it ends, and becomes a track which forks left and right. (SH740602) We took the left fork, which leads back to Blaen Y Nant cottage. From here it is just a case of retracing our route back to Capel Curig, starting with the steep climb out of the Llyn Crafnant valley. The route back gives great views of the Snowdon range.  

Once we arrived back in Capel Curig, we called into Pinnacle Pursuits café (I believe this has now closed), for a well earned cooling drink. We then returned back to the cottage. After the cleaning of boots etc. and taking it in turns for a lovely shower, we started to chill out for the evening. Under the supervision of Andy I cooked the evening meal, which was a lovely spaghetti Bolognese.