Plan your trip

WALK HERE

Turn to Walk 23 at the back of this magazine for an Ordnance Survey map and turn-by-turn route directions. Check the mountain weather forecast for Snowdonia at mwis.org.uk before you go. For advice and an up-to-the-minute picture of ground conditions in the National Park, seek out the Eryri Warden Report (@snowdonweather on Twitter).

GETTING THERE

Our described walk starts from the small Bryn Glô car park by the A5 at Pont Cyfyng, between Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed. Getting there by public transport is a breeze. The nearby bus stop for Cyfyng Falls is on the route of the S1 Snowdon Sherpa, running daily between Betws-y-Coed and Caernarfon via Llanberis (see gwynedd.llyw.cymru for the latest timetable). It’s also served by the cross-country T10 from Bangor to Corwen (also daily, see trawscymru. info/t10). Both routes serve Betwsy-Coed railway station on the Conwy Valley Line (a 15-minute trip away), connecting with Transport for Wales trains from Llandudno Junction (tfw.wales).

WHERE TO EAT

A short detour from our route is the excellent Moel Siabod Café in Capel Curig, popular with walkers and climbers. Hot drinks, lunches and scrumptious cakes are its stock-in-trade (moelsiabodcafe.co. uk). For heartier evening fare, book a table at the Tyn-y-Coed Hotel (just up the road from the Bryn Glô car park). There’s quality pub grub on the menu, made using local ingredients (01690 720331; tyn-ycoed.co.uk). For a Welsh twist on a stateside classic, try the Rarebit Beef Burger (£13.95). Wash it down with a golden pint of Snowdonia Ale from Porthmadog’s Purple Moose Brewery.

WHERE TO STAY

There’s a choice of campsites, guesthouses and small hotels around Capel Curig, with more accommodation down the road in Betws-y-Coed. In the lee of Siabod, The Rocks at Plas Curig is probably the plushest hostel in Wales. A five-star, dog-friendly establishment, it has a drying room and a self-catering kitchen. Private twin or double rooms cost from £70 per night (01690 720 225; therockshostel.com). For a group bunkhouse right at the start of our route, sleeping up to 10 people, try Siabod Longhouse. It costs £20 per person per night, £100 per night minimum (01690 720278; siabodlonghouse.co.uk).

MORE INFORMATION

For more dining options and places to stay, see visitsnowdonia.info, or give the Betws-y-Coed tourist information centre a call on 01690 710426.