Llyn Crafnant

Llyn Crafnant
View from the summit of Crimpiau
Location	North Wales
Coordinates	53°7′57″N 3°52′12″W / 53.13250°N 3.87000°W / 53.13250; -3.87000Coordinates: 53°7′57″N 3°52′12″W / 53.13250°N 3.87000°W / 53.13250; -3.87000
Type	natural lake
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Surface area	63 acres (25 ha)
Max. depth	71 ft (22 m)

Llyn Crafnant is a lake that lies in a valley in North Wales where the northern edge of the Gwydir Forest meets the lower slopes of the Carneddau mountains and, more specifically, the ridge of Cefn Cyfarwydd. The head of the valley offers a profile of crags which are silhouetted at sunset. 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 475 metres (1558 feet) and Craig Wen 548 metres (1798 feet), which provide views to Moel Siabod and the Ogwen Valley, and Snowdon. Further up is Creigiau Gleision. At 63 acres (250,000 m²) it is the best part of a mile long, although it was clearly once much longer - its southern end shows the evidence of centuries of silting. Jehu’s survey (see references) recorded a maximum depth of 71 ft (22 m).

Crafnant takes its name from “craf”, an old Welsh word for garlic, and “nant”, a stream or valley.

The lake can be reached by car only from Trefriw in the Conwy valley, though many visitors walk there from the village or from the neighbouring lake of Llyn Geirionydd, which runs parallel to it, but a mile distant, the two being separated by Mynydd Deulyn – “mountain of the two lakes”. The lake can also be reached on foot from Capel Curig.

There is a Forestry Commission car park with toilets, which is reached just before the lake itself, and the lakeside cafe (open from Easter until late summer) offers car parking for patrons. The lake is a popular fishing spot, and is kept stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout. From the cafe it is possible to hire boats for fishing or for pleasure. Private boating and swimming is not permitted.