Words by Bob Thomas MBE
Visitors to Snowdonia are often drawn to the loftier ranges that dominate the National Park: The Glyderau, Carneddau, and of course, Snowdon itself. The magnetism of the higher ground is understandable given their fame and the glorious views from Fawr, Fach, Dafydd, Llewelyn and Yr Wyddfa.
That said, if time is short or poor weather prevents travel on the higher ground then there are numerous low-level walks which pass through some delightful countryside, and, at the same time, offer equally stunning views. A route that falls into this category is a delightful little ramble that takes you north east out of the well-known village of Capel Curig, to an area known locally as Crimpiau. There are several routes to be had in this small area but the one that we'll cover this month is a straightforward linear route, same way for the outward and return journey, keeping navigation easy but allowing you maximum time to absorb the views from the summit of the small hill that gives the area its unofficial name. Total distance is aboute 3.5 kms the bulk on well-defined paths. The route shouldn't take more than 3 hours there and back and so is suitable for a late afternoon walk or if you're pressed for time
THE ROUTE
The Start | Park at the Moel Siabod Café, at the time of writing parking is free, and then turn left out of the car park taking the first turning left immediately behind the stone wall that acts as the car park's boundary wall. The signpost is marked Llyn Crafnant. See Photo 1 below. After leaving the car park walk north east for 100 m before turning right and passing through a metal gate. See photo 2 below for the location of the second gate. After passing through the gate carry on walking on the road, flat at first then gradually steepens (houses on the right hand side). Some 150 m after the last house the road bends sharply to the left, at this point it's time to leave the road and head north-north east across fields via a public path See photo 3, bend marked by the blue arrow. Cross the field via the footpath and head towards the wooden stile that provides marks for the start of the Access Land. Cross the stile, keeping to the footpath that winds its way gently uphill for 300 metres. After this gentle uphill section, you'll arrive at a prominent cross-track junction
Photo 1 | Footpath starts immediately as you exit the car park, marked by the red arrow
Photo 2 | Moel Siabod Café and parking
Photo 3 | Road bends right and passes through a metal gate/style marked by the yellow arrow
Photo 4 | Blue arrow shows the location of the sharp left hand bend and the track running off to its north north east, orange arrow marks the location of the style and the access land boundary
Cross Track Junction | At the junction, SH 733 579, turn north west and walk along the well surfaced prominent track (Photo 4/5) in the direction of Glogwyn Mawr. After 300 m you'll arrive at a track t-junction, SH 731 581, here turn north east and walk slightly uphill for 350 m at which point the ground flattens and you'll pass through another gate. There's a great view to be had here, with the high ground on the left and right creating a natural bowl. A well- defined track picks its way on the right hand side of the bowl, skirting the marshy ground and the Nant y Geuallt stream on the left hand side. Pick your way along the track to the point where the track crosses the stream at SH 734 586
Photo 5 | The prominent track that runs north west from the cross-track junction with Glogwyn Mawr ahead
Photo 6 | The prominent track that runs north west from the cross-track junction with Glogwyn Mawr ahead
Track Stream Junction| At the stream junction SH 734586 (see Photo 7) take time to savour the view and memorise the route for the way back. At this point the ground comes into play and the track becomes channelled between the high ground in a small valley. The stream is on the left hand side. At this point there's about 1 km of gentle walking, uphill, on the same well defined path that you've been following around the bowl towards the head of the valley at SH 738 596
Photo 7 | The stream/track junction at SH 734586
Photo 8 | The track from the stream to the head of the valley at SH 734586
Head of the Valley | The walk up the valley isn't too taxing, but worth the effort for the view from the top at SH 734586 towards Llyn Crafnant below. There's a couple of options here: drop down a hundred metres or so on the Crafnant side and find some flat ground for some lunch and to, prior to returning by the same route, or head for the summit of Crimpiau which lies 650 m east of the head of the valley at SH 733595
Photo 9 | View from the head of the valley to Llyn Crafnant
Photo 10 | Graig Wen during from slopes of Crimpiau
Summit Crimpiau| From the head of the valley a track follows picks its way along Crimpiau's north east ridge. Small steep sections are interspersed with flat sections that break up the 600 m into manageable sections. It's never really that steep but the approach to the summit has that big mountain feel. As you near the top the terrain levels and as you near the peak Crimpiau reveals its secret: stunning views along the whole of the Ogwen Valley. The Glyderau on the left and the Carneddau on the right, all the way until the Ogwen turns north and becomes the Nant Ffrancon. Peering slightly left you'll see Snowdon and over the left shoulder you'll have an uninterrupted view of Moel Siabod. Rarely has such a small feature revealed so much of a natural park and for so little effort
Photo 11 | The view from the summit of Crimpiau
Return | I'd recommend retracing your footsteps, it might seem tempting to continue along the ridge and make a circular route of it, but the area to the south west of Crimpiau that surrounds Llyn Coryn can be extremely boggy, even after an extended period of dry weather. Also, the walk back down the valley towards the stream/track junction is gentler on the knees and easier to follow. Finally, you get two bites of the cherry and a second chance to see some of those wonderful views on the descent. On the subject of bite, don't forget to drop by the Moel Siabod café and treat yourself to a well-deserved cup of tea and slice of homemade bara brith
Maps
