BSC24: Afon Ddu and Llyn Cowlyd Walk (Sun)
18 people attending
12 places left
This is one of the events organised as part of Big Spring Camp 2024.
Don't worry if the event is full. Pop yourself on the waitlist and you'll get a place if someone drops out - People often change plans nearer the time and there's a high chance you'll get a place on the event.
A longer (11 miles/17 kilometers) route for those who fancy going on a little bit of a walk on Sunday morning and exploring out to the deepest lake in Northern Wales, Llyn Cowlyd.
We will be departing from the campsite and heading North West past Trefriw and into Coed y Gwmannog. We will be crossing Afon Crafnant and passing over the hills behind the Gelli Plantation to Llyn Cowlyd. We should get a pretty good view of the lake on our descent here and we will walk to the dam.
From the forests, we will head out cross country into rugged countryside, surrounded by the Carneddau Mountains. There's plenty to see as we get a good look at the fantastic surroundings of the Eryri National Park
We will follow the Afon Ddu back to the bridge, observing some of the vast pipeworking that channels the water to Dolgarrog. Most of our route in the second half of the walk is on a track and easier than the first half.
The land around these areas is mostly used for farming and we may encounter some of that on our walk back. There are also plenty of wild horses roaming in this area, along with sheep and cattle.
We are likely to get some good views of the Conwy Valley, Llyn Cowlyd and Llyn Crafnant over the course of this walk while surrounded by the vast unforested hills that make up most of this area.
As we get back towards Trefriw we will re-enter the Gwydyr forest, seeing disused mine and quarry workings that were once part of the vast industry around here
Photo Credits: All photos taken by Mark Jessett; permission is granted to OutdoorLads for further use.
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What to bring
The terrain that we will be covering is on and off-road, occasionally wet and stony. If conditions are wet and/or windy there will be no shelter from the elements. I would strongly suggest the kit list below for all lowland and hill walks for OutdoorLads.
- Water: bring at least two litres
- Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
- Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
- Boots: waterproof (or waterproof socks...) and breathable and designed for hiking. If you wear your best trainers they may get ruined.
- Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters, I would recommend waterproof socks.
- Layered clothing: A t-shirt may well do if it is sunny but layers will help otherwise
- Trousers: ideally no jeans (weather dependent) as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and if it is warm, shorts are OK.
- We are in a wildlife area, so ticks are a problem and they can carry lymes disease. I would suggest a full check for ticks after the walk.
- Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
- Waterproof trousers: that you can put on over your trousers if the weather turns against us
- Hat or cap: to provide some shade from the sun or warmth if it is cold
- Sunglasses: so you're not squinting in the sun
- Gloves because nobody likes walking with cold hands! Can leave these in the tent if it turns out to be a lovely spring day :-)
- Sun cream: Yes, essential even if overcast (Get a SFP30+ with UVA 5*, most supermarket own brands are good here). There is little shade, it is late spring and the sunburn will be painful
- Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
- Lunch: bring a packed lunch
Food & drink
You'll need to bring a lunch and enough water (or other non-alcoholic rehydrating drink) to keep you going for the full duration of the walk.
It is recommended you bring snacks also. We do not pass by any shops and Llyn Cowlyd does not have a cafe.