Capel Curig, where this route begins has a notoriety as being the wetest place in Wales and often Britain.
[1] From the Centre of Capel Curig, cross the A5 to the gate at the side of the old Church. Follow the bridleway on the other side, which climbs steadily at first across fields, then onto some flagstones, to enter a wooded area through a gate. From here the path is largely level with views down the valley towards Betws y Coed. The route passes three ladder stiles and a gate. Through the gate, continue to follow the main route to the Wooden Bridge. (This is where the return route joins later)
[2] Cross over the bridge and then follow the bridleway left as it begins to climb more steeply. It is essential that you follow the main path for this section – ignore all minor paths going off to the left or right. The path wanders through an area of broken country, going through some gates and across small watercourses, to eventually reach the pass at the top with views down on to Llyn Crafnant. Continue to follow the main path down into the valley. the path meets a stone wall which is followed right until reaching a gate in the wall. Go through the gate turning right, along the path which goes well to the right of the former farmhouse to reach a tarmac road at a gate.
[3] Do not go through the gate but turn left along the track. The track passes near to some holiday properties before crossing a bridge, immediately heading through a gate to face the entrance gate to "Hendre" with a private notice. Turn right here to go into a field with Llyn Crafnant in front of you. Follow the path until it reaches the forest track. Turn right over a river bridge, then immediately left, following a path up through trees. The path weaves through more trees, then a short scramble up onto a stony path. Turn right here going downhill, eventually turning into a wide forestry track. Go along the track following the lakeside, until a gate is reached near a monument on the road at the lake outflow.
(A) Llyn Crafnant is a popular tourist spot. The water from this lake is used by the residents on the North Wales Coast.
[4] Turn left along the road and follow it until you reach the Forest Access Road on your right. (below you on the left is a Forestry Commission car park and toilets). Take this track past a barrier and steeply uphill and follow the track as it bends sharply right. It continues less steeply uphill, straight at first, then winding up through the forest, finally levelling out at large carved bench.
This is a viewpoint over Llyn Crafnant and Creigiau Gleision.
Keep going ahead soon to reach the high point of the track. Continue as the track winds its way downhill to eventually arrive at a pass with a distinct waymarked path (to Crafnant) going into the forest on your right.
[5] Ignore the path going into the forest and continue going downhill along the track. This track now does a large loop to the right. When you reach the end of this loop take the forest track on your right through a galvanised gate with cattle grid and small adjacent wooden stile. The track goes out of the forest and then re-enters at another galvanised gate and cattle grid and wooden stile. Continue along it passing Llyn Bychan on your right. After passing this small lake continue downhill ignoring tracks on the left until you reach a track leaving sharply on your right.
[6] Turn right along this track as it goes downhill and bends to the left and then goes uphill.
Extensive views over the valley and Moel Siabod are to be had from here.
At the junction fork right. At the junction of tracks go straight ahead. When the track bends right into a field, there is a stile over a wire fence, then a ladder stile over a stone wall. This leads to a to sunken path with a number of stiles leading into a boggy area. Go uphill through trees to reach a ladder stile which leads into open country. The path then goes downhill to reach a track where the path has been improved. Turn right along here back [2]. From here you return the start.
The views from this section are usually excellent and include Moel Siabod on your left and Snowdon ahead.