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Crimpiau from Capel Curig

Snowdonia/Eryri Walk

Nat Park - Snowdonia - Western Carneddau

County/Area - Conwy

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km    Ascent - 1000 feet / 303 metres

Time - 3 hours 20 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL17Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL17Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 115Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 115Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Crimpiau
Click image to see photo description.

The summit of Crimpiau (475 metres) can be approached from either Llyn Crafnant in the east or using a shorter approach from Capel Curig in the west. The former route is covered in Walk 2608 whilst this description offers an "easier" walk that will fill an afternoon or evening. However do remember that you are traversing mountain terrain so a 1:25000 map and a good sense of direction are required especially if visibility is not good.

The start of this Snowdonia (Eryri) walk is the car park in Capel Curig just off the A5 at grid ref. SH720582. After parking cross the A5 and take the signed footpath/bridleway to Crafnant which starts to the left of the chapel. This leads through a section of woodland into increasingly wild country initially with the minor summit of Clogwyn Mawr (347 metres) on your left. Cross the footbridge, ignore the footpath on the right and walk north-east and then north climbing steadily to reach a col (grid ref. SH738597). At this point the summit of Crimpiau is up on your left. However it is worth continuing downhill for about 250 metres on the main path to enjoy the view across Llyn Crafnant some 500 feet below.

Return uphill to the col and take the path on your right that leads uphill amongst a rocky landscape to the summit of Crimpiau. The path is well-trodden and clear underfoot. After heavy rain it can be a bit boggy in places but the worst can be easily avoided. If you lose the path then keep heading uphill taking care to avid the steep crags on the north of the ridge. There is no trig point but a small cairn was present the last time I walked this hill. The view north to the Carneddau, with Pen yr Helgi Du and its impressive south ridge particularly prominent, provides a wonderful panorama.

To start the descent follow the path southwest down the ridge. As you descend you will see Llyn y Coryn below. This small tarn lies to the right of the path. After passing this tarn, continue to a fence that lies in a dip beyond the tarn. The path follows this fence (with the fence on your right) down to a stile. Cross this stile and head down quite steeply into a hollow where another stile over a stone wall needs to be crossed. Go right and follow the path over two stiles. Another steep descent takes you down onto the path used on the outward route. Turn right here and return to Capel Curig.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3402 Moel Siabod circular from Pont Cyfyngmoderate6.5 miles
Walk 3005 Clogweneasy2.0 miles
Walk 1151 Moel Siabod from Pont Cyfynghard5.5 miles
Walk 2919 Moel Siabod & Capel Curig moderate6.0 miles
Walk 3056 Pen yr Helgi Du from Ogwen Valleymoderate5.5 miles
Walk 1232 Carnedd Llewelyn, Llyn Eigiau & Llyn Cowlydhard16.0 miles
Walk 2855 Gallt yr Ogof & Braich y Ddeugwmmoderate4.0 miles
Walk 1332 Gwydir ForestLakes from Tyn Llwyneasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 2285 Llyn Geirionydd & Llyn Crafnanteasy/mod5.5 miles
Walk 2592 Llyn Geirionydd & Llyn Bychan from Llyn Crafnantmoderate9.5 miles

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