Words by Bob Thomas MBE
This route is a low level circular walk of Cwm Idwal, a route that's ideal as a late evening stroll in the summer or as an alternative during bad weather. Navigation is simple and the route can be built into a longer day should time and conditions be in your favour. Access is easy, with café and car parking being available at the start of the walk at Idwal Cottage. Also, if you plan on extending your visit then there's accommodation on hand in the form of the nearby Youth Hostel and campsite.
The Cwm is an area of international importance, Charles Darwin realised it as much, and it was here that ideas on glaciation and the impact on the landscape coalesced, and for that reason, it's an area that's of interest to climbers, walkers, geologists and environmentalists.
APPROACH
From Betws-y-Coed Capel Curig: At the village of Capel Curig drive 6 km west along the A5 to Idwal Cottage & Cwm Idwal Visitor Centre (Grid Reference SH 649604).
From Bangor & A55: Take the A5 south, signposted Bethesda and Betws-y-Coed. The visitor centre is 7 km north of Bethesda
Car parking is available here (pay and display), along with a café, toilets and excellent Visitor Centre which is well worth a visit before heading out on your walk. Further free car parking is located at SH655602
THE ROUTE
The Start | From the visitor centre take the well paved track, signposted to Cwm Idwal, which is located next to the entrance of the visitor centre and leads gently uphill. See photo 1 & 1a below, the yellow line marks the course of the footpath. After 200 metres you'll pass through a distinctive gate and cross a stream (Photo 2)
Photo 1 | Path out leading to Cwm Idwal
Photo 1a | Path out leading to Cwm Idwal & the Gate
Photo 1b | Information signs on route
Photo 2 | Entrance to Cwm Idwal marked by a gate, the top of which has been forged to from the profile of the Cwm
Into the Cwm | From the gate, continue along the track, c. 300 metres from the gate the track bends to the right and heads south, before you arrive at the shores of the lake (Photo 3). From here you'll have fantastic views to the south over Llyn Idwal to the Idwal Slabs to your front, Devil's Kitchen and Y Garn to your right. From here you can then decide whether you want to walk in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. On the way, you might bump into the residential herd of Welsh Black Cattle, which have been introduced to the area as an alternative to sheep. The Welsh Black cause less environmental damage due to grazing habit and also help inhibit the spread of bracken. Photo 4 shows Brennen trying to make some new friends during the Summer's Snowdonia Traverse Challenge
Photo 3 | At the shore of Llyn Idwal looking to the Idwal Slabs
Photo 4 | Brennen making friends with the Idwal Herd, cows don't seem interested, wonder why? The slopes of Y Garn in the background
The Circuit | The circuit, whether clockwise or anti clockwise can take up to an hour, including breaks. There's always a place to sit down and admire the scenery, so why rush? If you opt for the clockwise walk then there's a lakeside beach at SH 644598 that's an ideal place to stop for a picnic and look at the climbers and scramblers on the Idwal Slabs and the walkers making their way to the Glyderau via the Devil's Kitchen to your front (Photo 5)
Photo 5 | The circuit viewed from the south, red arrow marks picnic beach, Pen yr Ole Wen in the background
Photo 6 | Idwal Slabs viewed from the western shores of Cwm Idwal
Photo 7 | Y Garn, Idwal's western boundary seen from the summit of the Sub Cneifion Arete
End of the Circuit | On return to the car park at the end of the day it's worth walking the short distance to the bridge at the outflow of Llyn Ogwen SH 649604. Cross the bridge and then negotiate the slate style on the right hand side (heading towards Bangor). Look under the arch of the new bridge and you'll see the remnants of the older Roman Bridge under the new span. Don't make them like they used to!
Photo 8 | Roman bridge remains under the new bridge
Photo 9 | Nant Ffrancon Valley and Cwm Idwal from the Summit of Sub Cneifion Arete
MAP |
