Craig-Forris Walk

This is a waymarked circular walk of 2 miles (3.3 km) that starts and finishes at the Cae'n y Coed car park and picnic site. Follow the red waymarkers and allow 1.5 to 2 hours. The loop climbs hard from the car park through the forest garden, links forest roads with narrower woodland paths, reaches a knoll viewpoint with a bench, then drops back steadily to where you began.

Officially graded strenuous, and we rate it 7/10. The distance is modest, but the climb of roughly 167 to 188 m is concentrated in the first part of the walk, and the cumulative ascent adds up quickly on a short loop. The route mixes wide forest roads with rough narrow paths, some less than 60 cm wide, with mud, rocks and tree roots on rough, uneven surfaces. The descent needs attention.

The early climb passes through the old arboretum, a forest garden planted in the 1930s with unusual trees from around the world, so the lower section is worth walking slowly. Higher up you get glimpses of the Llugwy Valley through the trees before the knoll opens out to a broad panorama taking in Moel Siabod and the Carneddau, with Tryfan visible on clear days. A short signed diversion off the main route leads to a further viewpoint and picnic spot if you want to extend the walk before rejoining the waymarked loop.

Cae'n y Coed sits just off the A5, two miles west of Betws-y-Coed on the road toward Capel Curig. Parking is free, with no overnight parking. The grid reference SH 762 576 and postcode LL24 0DF only get you to the general area, so watch for the signed entrance off the main road rather than trusting a postcode pin.

The car park is a large picnic site with picnic tables and space for children to move around, and there is a bench at the viewpoint if you want to sit with the panorama. Dogs are welcome and should be kept under close control on the waymarked forest route and near roads, livestock or wildlife.

The hardest work comes first, with a steep pull straight out of the car park, and the linking paths are narrow and uneven rather than smooth forest track. If you want a gentle woodland stroll, this is not the walk for you. Come for a short, genuinely steep outing with a strong payoff at the top.