Yr Aran & Craig Wen
SH591480 Start from the metal footbridge in the centre of Beddgelert, at the confluence of the rivers Glaslyn and Colwyn. Take the riverside path to the left of the village green. Cross the minor road and go through the wooden gate, where the footpath is marked with a fingerpost. Continue until you reach another gate and go down the lane. Follow it to Sygun Copper Mine and turn right along the riverside path, before the bridge.
SH604489 Continue along this path, which runs the length of Llyn Dinas to the National Trust farm, Llyndy Isaf. Pass the farm and at the road turn left to reach the A498. Walk along the road, past Caffi Gwynant, and turn left at the lane
SH627505 Start climbing and follow the Watkin Path through woodland and alongside the tumbling river. The upper section of Cwm Llan is marked by the small NT hydropower plant. Where the path forks, take the left-hand fork. It’s a less welldefined track and the climb gets steeper.
SH618518 Leave the path as it bends right along an old tramway and pick up a faint track that follows the stream uphill. As you walk up through disused
levels, you’ll see Yr Aran, with Snowdon’s South Ridge to the right, leading up to Bwlch Main and the summit of Snowdon itself. Make your way up through slate tips. Pass ruined buildings and a mineshaft sunk into the mountain. Find the faint grassy track to ascend the ridge and follow the stone wall right as it snakes its way almost up to the summit of Yr Aran. There are more fabulous views of Snowdon and Y Lliwedd. To the south is the Dwyryd Estuary and Tremadog Bay, with views of the Moelwynion, Moel Hebog and far away to the left, the brooding Rhinogydd. Cross the fence at the top of the wall, where there’s a makeshift stile. Climb to the summit of Yr Aran. From here, bear south-west, following the ridge down towards the low hump of Craig Wen. From its summit, retrace your steps until you reach the corner of the fence line, then angle right.
SH598511 You’re aiming to descend via Cwm yr Hyrddod and pick up a permissive path that leads to Hafod y Porth and ultimately back down to Craflwyn Hall.
The ground here is tussocky and awkward, but there is a trace of a path, above the river on the hillside. Follow this to the prominent crag at the head of the cwm. When the path peters out, descend down through tussocky grass towards the river, following a line under the rocky crags. Cross the stream just past a ruined square sheepfold, not marked on the OS. Eventually pick up a path to the left of the stream and follow it down to some dilapidated sheepfolds. Here, pass through the barred gate into the field, sticking to the left-hand side of the stream.
SH607501 Turn right along the stony track, continuing to follow it as it bends left. Here, head right at the National Trust post marked Craflyn, alongside a stone wall. Cross the stone footbridge next to an attractive plunge pool. Go through the black hand gate on the left to reach Craflwyn. Turn left along the A498. There’s a short stretch of road walking here. Turn right at the entrance to Sygun Copper Mine and cross the wooden bridge over the river to retrace your steps back into Beddgelert.