A Redeye View: Llyn Geirionydd & Llyn Crafnant 7-9-2014

After the exploits of the Snowdon Sunrise walk had come to an end early in the afternoon, I decided that it was too nice a day for the two hour drive home so I took advantage and visited a couple of Llyn's hidden away in the GWYDIR FOREST above BETWS y COED. LLYN GEIRIONYDD & LLYN CRAFNANT. I have been here before on a couple of seperate occasions but I thought I'd tie the two together and also have a look at some old mine workings that cover the area. Llyn Geirionydd is an attraction for water sports people with quite a few taking advantage of the fine weather, water skiing, canoeing, boating and just generally having a great time. Others were enjoying a BBQ and pin-nic while soaking up the sun and watching the water sports. Llyn Crafnant is a bit more peaceful and more of a fishing place where you can hire boats to sail round the lake or to fish a bit further away from the shore. There is plenty of walking paths to follow along the shore line and all round the forest that offer some great views in this very picturesque part of Snowdonia.
I parked in the car park of Llyn Geirionydd and made my way along the shore. On a small hill overlooking Lake Geirionydd stands the Taliesin Monument, which commemorates the sixth century Welsh bard, Taliesin (c. 534 - c. 599), the earliest poet of the Welsh language whose work has survived and often referred to as Taliesin Ben Beirdd (Taliesin, Chief of Bards). He was chief bard in the courts of at least three kings of Britain, and is associated with the Book of Taliesin, a text from the tenth century containing his poems. He lived in the area, mainly on the shores of Llyn Geirionydd, where he is also stated to be buried.

My route for the afternoon

Llyn Geirionydd

Taliesin Monument,

From here I followed the trail through the edge of the forest and down to an old abandoned mine,
CLOGWYN y FUWCH SLATE MINE which is thought to be one of the oldest slate mines in Wales. I couldn't resist a look round :-)

Approaching the slate mine

Tunnel entrance but you can walk over the top of it. I went in :-)

Mind your head

Looking out from inside

I made my way down to the road that runs next to the very picturesque Llyn Crafnant and the very impressive backdrop of Crimpiau, Craig Wen & CREIGIAU GLEISION mountains which I walked over on a very warm and quiet bank holiday Monday last year. There is a cafe here but this time I didn't stop for refreshments as I had my own but it is well worth having a drink and one of there splendid cakes :-)

Looking down Llyn Crafnant with Crimpiau as a back drop

Crimpiau, & Craig Wen over Llyn Crafnant

From here it's a steady climb up through the forest and on to the forest roads that head back to Llyn Geirionydd where I sat watching people having fun on the water. A drive along the single track roads stopping off at a couple of old mines, Ciffty & Hafna before I made my way to the town of LLANRWST where I again stopped off for a quick look at the TEA ROOMS and the river.