393 Walks from Trefriw

Our next walking will be from

  Trefriw

in the

Snowdonia National Park
where 'Walkers are Welcome'

and 'the healthiest place in Wales '

and will take place on

Saturday 13th October 2018

0800hrs prompt from short stay car park in the village

Joan, Alison, George and Margaret happy after a good walk

In a nutshell. Wool and water, all wrapped up in a wonderful Conwy Valley location.

Follow this link to discover more about Trefriw's Outdoors  

Visitors driving along the A470 down the Conwy Valley from Llandudno to Betws-y-Coed often overlook Trefriw...Big mistake!

It’s located on the other side of the river on the B5106, a route that’s quieter – and even more scenic – than the main road. And as a bonus, you get to visit Trefriw.

Discovered by the Romans (they couldn’t get enough of its mineral-rich waters), this former spa village was popular with Victorian visitors who hopped on a steamboat from Conwy to ‘take the waters’.

Water is a running theme at Trefriw (please forgive the pun).

The rushing River Crafnant, tumbling down from mountain lakes, provides the power to run the machines at Trefriw Woollen Mills, which have been producing traditional Welsh bedspreads and tweeds for well over 150 years.

You can take a tour of the mill and watch its clattering, impossibly complicated machinery blending, straightening, spinning, winding and weaving the wool – and then pop into the mill shop to peruse the produce.

The water comes from the twin lakes of Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Geirionydd, undiscovered gems hidden high in the Gwydyr Forest.

As an antidote to rugged, rocky Snowdonia, Trefriw offers the option of gentler cycling and walking terrain (follow some of the Trefriw Trails) – not forgetting excellent rainbow and brown trout fishing at the scenic Crafnant Fishery.

There will be three walks as normal:

• A Walk led by Garth Raybould
• B Walk led by Beverley Kelly
• C walk led by Gwyn Jones 

 Details will be posted as they become available but by the Saturday before the walk.

'A' Walk from Trefriw 2018

Walk Leader: Garth Raybould
Walk Distance: 10mls
Total Ascent/Descent: 1,900ft app

 Distance: 10 miles (14 km); total climbing 1,630 ft (500 m)

'A' Walk approx Route ( clockwise)

 From Trefriw we start with a steep climb of about 100 m out of the village and then contour through Coed y Gwmannog and southwards via Penrallt to Llyn Geirionydd.  Following an uneven path on the western side of the lake we reach Ty-newydd and then start to ascend into the foothills of the Carneddau, heading across undulating ground with a network of paths (some boggy) for the prominent peak of Crimpiau.  If the weather is clear we should have fabulous views from here of Moel Siabod, the Snowdon range and Tryfan and the Glyders.  If we are making good time we could make an ascent of the next peak on the ridge, Craig Wen (an additional kilometre of distance and 160 m of ascent), for further views of the Ogwen valley and Carnedd Dafydd, before returning to the col, from where our descent takes us to Llyn Crafnant.  An easy walk along a track on the NW side of the lake brings us to the valley road near the Taliesin monument.  After about a mile on the road we cross the valley and rise slightly back into the trees of Coed y Gwmannog, then follow a lower path than this morning’s back into Trefriw.

Panormaic view from Crimpiau summit over the major Snowdona ranges

'B' Walk from Trefriw 2018

Walk Leader: Beverley Kelly
Walk distance: 7+ Miles
Total Ascent/ Descent: 1890ft

Llyn Crafnant, one of the most breathtaking views in all Snowdonia

B Walk Route, clockwise

Early morning sunshine at Trefriw was a lovely welcome to this pretty community on the edge of the Snowdonian National park. Those who did the June walk to Betws-y-Coed with Gwyn will recognise parts of this walk.

We will visit the Fairy Falls on our way out of the village, which are in full flow now and well worth a visit.

A bit of a climb out of Trfriw, but then we are soon on the tree lined slopes of Grinllwn and a more steady climb and some magnificent views along the Crafnant Valley. There is plenty of evidence of mining along here and we will see the remains of the Klondike Mine and part of our footpath will be on the old railway track.

There was a definite wind chill as we reached Llyn Geirionydd, well used for water sports particularily water skiing, but after taking in the views we traverse the slopes of the hillside - a bit of scrambling here - to reach the picnic area alongside the Afon Crafnant. Sunshine has been ordered for our lunch.

A short walk up the quiet road and we are at Llyn Crafnant a delightful reservoir donated to llanwrst by Richard James. The Forest Park guide (2002) states that "the (view along Llyn Crafnant) is one of the most breathtaking views in all Snowdonia" The summits include Crimpiau (1558 feet), and Craig Wen (1798 feet).

We now have a short but steep climb over Deulyn back to Llyn Geirionydd, Llanyrhychwyn and the oldest church building in Wales, passing old quaries and strange forests.

The walk back to Trefriw continues pleasant with quiet and varied pathways until suddenly we are back at base and refreshments after a fantastic days walking.

Pleasant paths through the woods

Rough waters on Geirionydd

The Taliesin monument, overlooking Llyn Geirionydd

An abundance of Fungi

A mysterious forest

 

'C' Walk from Trefriw 2018

Walk Leader: Gwyn Jones
Walk distance: 5.7 mls
Total Ascent/ Descent:

 We start this walk by heading to the bank of the Conwy river. Then we head south to the suspension bridge which we cross. This bridge provided access for the people of Trefriw to the railway at Llanwrst. It also provided access for railway passengers to the spas at Trefriw. The old wooden bridge (built in the 1860’s) was replaced in 1940 at a cost of £1,500. We continue along the bank and cross the river at Pont Fawr (Big Bridge). This bridge was designed by Inigo Jones and built in 1636. The walk continues along the riverside before turning right through a field to the roadside. A short bit of road walking takes us back to the bridge where we stop at the riverside to take our lunch. From here we make our way back via the suspension bridge to Trefriw.

Pont Fawr (Big Bridge)

Gower Suspension  Bridge