Afon Crafnant

Nearby Rivers: Betws y Coed and Colwyn Bay

There are several rivers that fall very steeply off the Eastern flanks of the Carneddau and into the lower Conwy. These rivers are in hanging valleys and fall incredibly steeply downhill - in places at over 600 feet in half of a kilometre! For a long time this gradient has been harnessed for the production of power, as it is still, for the Dolgarrog Aluminium Works. The waters of the Porth Llwyd are held at bay and used from a small lake with tipper gates on its dam. Essentially these are an all-or-nothing phenomenon! If the water exceeds demand and builds up in the lake, the gates suddenly open and pour the most incredible cataract downhill at an alarming rate. Not even thinkable in a canoe, this is an alarming but awe-inspiring sight if you happen to be in the area at the time. The Crafnant is the only one that could remotely be described as worth paddling and even this is not really worth the effort. However, it has had various descents over the years, so here it is.

Cae Crwn to Trefriw

2.5 km class IV to V; various portages

From the village of Trefriw drive up the extremely steep road towards Llyn Crafnant (we stayed here at New Year a few years back, and got to know just how steep the road was at chucking-out time!). This steep road hides the Fairy Falls which is a total misnomer and has not, to my knowledge, been paddled. It is worth checking Bro Geirionnydd weir, situated by the large greenhouses, as egress has to be made above this beast!

If you are still keen, then continue up the road for about two and a half kilometres where access can be made by a small stone hut GR757620 next to the Crafnant, although you can get on at the lake. The river rushes off downhill at an alarming rate through a few wooded gorges. There are quite a few tree portages en-route but all drops have been paddled or, more accurately, bashed. Several portages are sensible depending on how brave or silly you feel. There are a few places where easy escape can be had if you’re fed up. Egress above the weir on the right bank GR778630.