At a glance
Llyn Crafnant (LL27 0JZ) is a beautiful lake above Trefriw in the Conwy Valley — free access, NRW car park (charge). 1.5-mile flat circular walk. Lakeside café (seasonal). Rowing boats for hire. Fly fishing permits available. Extended forest walks in Gwydir Forest. Family-friendly. 4 miles from Llanrwst on the Conwy Valley Railway.
About Llyn Crafnant
Llyn Crafnant is tucked into the hills above Trefriw — a village known for its woollen mill on the western bank of the Afon Conwy. The lake sits at the head of a short side valley, surrounded by the mixed woodland of Gwydir Forest, with the higher moorland and forest above rising to the hills that separate the Conwy Valley from the Ogwen Valley to the west.
The lake is managed by Natural Resources Wales and has a character quite different from the larger, wilder lakes of Snowdonia. It is intimate in scale, accessible and peaceful — a place for a pleasant walk, a café stop, a boat trip or an afternoon's fishing rather than serious mountain adventure. For visitors based in the Conwy Valley who want a relaxed lakeside day, it is one of the most consistently rewarding destinations in the area.
The circular walk around the lake takes in both shores, with the wooded hillside on one side and the open water on the other. From the far end of the lake, NRW trails climb into the Gwydir Forest for those who want longer walks — the forest extends for several miles and connects to trails above Betws-y-Coed. Llyn Geirionydd, a lake associated with the 6th-century poet Taliesin, is 2 miles away across the forest ridge and can be reached on foot.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Llyn Crafnant is above the village of Trefriw in the upper Conwy Valley, approximately 2 miles by road from Trefriw and 4 miles from Llanrwst. From Trefriw, follow the road up through the village and into the forest — the NRW car park is at the far end of the road at the lake itself (postcode LL27 0JZ). The road is narrow with passing places.
Yes — the circular walk around the lake is approximately 1.5 miles and takes 1–1.5 hours at a comfortable pace. The path follows both shores of the lake and is generally flat and easy, with some uneven sections. The walk is suitable for families including older children. From the lake, NRW waymarked paths extend into the Gwydir Forest for longer forest and hill walks of up to several hours.
Rowing boats are available for hire on Llyn Crafnant through the lakeside café — a traditional part of the lake experience that has been available here for many years. Hire is seasonal; contact the café or check locally for availability. Fishing is also available on a permit basis. The lake is stocked with brown trout and is a popular fly-fishing destination.
Yes — there is a small lakeside café serving hot drinks, light meals and snacks. The café is seasonal, typically open from spring through early autumn. It provides a pleasant stop at the end of the lake circuit walk, or a starting point before heading into the forest. Check locally for current opening arrangements.
Gwydir Forest is one of the largest planted forests in Wales, managed by Natural Resources Wales, covering much of the hillside above the Conwy Valley between Llanrwst and Betws-y-Coed. The forest has extensive walking and mountain biking trails. Llyn Crafnant sits in the forest — the surrounding trees are a mix of conifers and broadleaf, with the lake itself giving an open-water centrepiece to the walks.