
Forecasts of 45mph winds, with gusts up to 65mph, meant that it didn’t seem like a good idea to climb a mountain in Snowdonia last weekend. So I decided to do some fairly low level walks. On the Saturday I walked from Capel Curig to the pass near Crimpiau, and down to Llyn Crafnant. I then walked around the western shore of the lake, before heading over the ridge to Llyn Geirionydd. From there I walked through the woods back to Capel Curig. Every so often bright sunshine broke through to create more rainbows than I have ever seen on a hike.
On the Sunday I took the wide and well-constructed tourist path up to Aber Falls. All the rain over the last few days had meant that it was a good day to see an impressive waterfall. I then broke away from the tourist route to walk up the scree and scramble above the Falls rocks to the valley behind it. This was a pretty, quiet valley with views to the frozen tops and out to the sea. After walking along the river into the cwm, I spent quite a few minutes working out how to cross the full stream. In the end, I just found a shallow section and ran through. I then traversed below the tops before dropping back down into valley not far from another waterfall. It was such a great little walk that I didn’t mind the multiple hail showers.
I was a bit disappointed that the weather stopped me from heading up to the tops to enjoy the snow and ice, but I still had a good time walking low down.
Very jealous! I’ve been to Aber Falls but never up the path above them. I used to do a variant of the Llynnau Gerionydd & Crafnant quite often but from Trefriw – always htink Gerionydd is the prettier of the two despite Crafnant’s reputation suggesting the other way round.
I really liked the area above Aber Falls. I want to go back that way when I have more time and can use that as a route up to the tops. There’s meant to be a good circular walk of the peaks you can do that way.
I think I agree – Gerionydd is pretty and has always felt tranquil when I’ve been there.
Best wishes,
Robin