Walk stats
- Distance3.3 km · 2.1 mi
- Elevation+194 m
- Duration1 hr
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeLinear
- TerrainStone paths, rocky mountain track, some steep sections
- Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
- DogsDogs welcome on leads; livestock and sensitive wildlife present
About this walk
This linear route in the Carneddau begins near Rhaeadr y Benglog, the waterfall that spills from the lip of Cwm Idwal down towards the Ogwen valley. A steady climb on a well-made path leads quickly into the cwm itself, where the ground opens out and the cliffs close in around you.
At the heart of the walk lies Llyn Idwal, a dark glacial lake cradled within Gwarchodfa Natur Genedlaethol Cwm Idwal, the national nature reserve that protects this dramatic hanging valley. The crags of Clogwyn y Tarw rise to one side, while the shadowy cleft of Twll Du splits the headwall above. Streams such as Nant Efan and Aber Brwyn feed the lake from the slopes around.
From the cwm, the route drops back through Y Ro and continues on towards the finish at Llandygai. In just over 3 kilometres you gain a real sense of the Carneddau's scale, with big mountain scenery packed into an hour on foot.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
6 waypoints along the way
- 1
Rhaeadr y Benglog
- 2
Llyn Idwal
- 3
Gwarchodfa Natur Genedlaethol Cwm Idwal
- 4
Cwm Idwal
- 5
Y Ro
- 6
Finish: Llandygai
- Finish
The end of the route.
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Pen y Benglog
~213 m off the route
Twll Du
~499 m off the route
Aber Brwyn
~246 m off the route
Clogwyn y Tarw
~288 m off the route
Nant Efan
~341 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).