Llyn Crafnant

Both car parks have toilets and picnic benches, and the lake is a good place to slow down with a packed lunch. A privately run lakeside café has operated seasonally, but availability is not dependable enough to build a day around it. Bring food and water if you need a guaranteed stop.

This is a private fishing water, not a general swimming or boating lake. The shore path gives you the best access to the scenery. Keep an eye and ear out for water birds and woodland birds, particularly on the quieter side of the circuit, and listen for the streams and falls after wet weather.

The approach from Trefriw is a narrow single-track road with limited passing places. Take it slowly, expect to meet oncoming traffic, and be prepared to reverse to a passing place at busy times. Once you arrive, the full loop still has uneven ground, so shoes with decent grip are sensible.

The reservoir also has a bit of local history. It was created as a water supply for Llanrwst, and the stone monument near the outflow marks its connection with the town. That gives the lake more character than a simple photo stop, especially when you take time to walk beyond the first shore view.