Mountain Lake Walk
4km/2hrs
High above this very popular tourist village, through forest and moor, lie the beautiful waters of Llyn Elsi; surrounded by mountain scenery and accessible by wide forest track. The descent via the Jubilee Path can, in places, be steep & in wet weather very muddy.
Leaving the station turn left, walk up to the main road junction and using the pedestrian crossing head for the Post Office turning left uphill between it and the church. The road winds round to the right and directly behind the church a wide forest track opens on the left. Here there is a forestry information board with details for orienteering and a signpost to Llyn Elsi. Head uphill through the wooden bar gate 1.
As the track rises through carpets of bluebells, birdsong begins to take over from the traffic noise below. The forest track veers sharply 90 degrees to the right at a streambed taking water down from the lake above. Llyn Elsi lies at approx. 250m above sea level and although the way seems steep this point is already at half the final altitude. On the right is a wooden bench and a much smaller path with a sign pointing to Llyn Elsi; this is a very steep route going directly to the lake, continue on the main track at a more comfortable angle. Notice the bird boxes that have been placed here.
The track now turns to the left and levels out slightly and as the forest opens a path can be seen to the left, which as a diversion, leads to a cliff viewpoint over Betws y Coed. The angle eases and approaches a main forest junction, take the right fork still on the main route. Continue on and shortly reaching a Y-junction take the left hand branch, the track levels out and from now on, during the nesting season, the sound of seagulls echoes all over the forest from their island nest sites on the lake. The hard uphill work is over and at the next track junction veer left, continue on, with a stream on the left and after the road passes over a stream culvert at the next junction bear right to approach a Y-junction. Here turn left following a wooden mountain bike sign. Although still hidden from view, the lake is only some 200m from here and rapidly reveals itself with a stunning panorama of mountain and water with, in the distance, the ridges of Glydyr Fach, Bristly Ridge and Tryfan.
As the lake is approached, just over 1km from the station, the track swings left near some notice boards and at this point turn right along the lakeside on a clear footpath towards the monument seen in silhouette on the skyline. Here in wet weather the path can be a little boggy. Watch out now for jumping trout and above, buzzards wheeling in the thermals.
Through the gorse and on up towards the monument; this was erected in 1914 to commemorate the opening of the lake as a reservoir and is a wonderful viewpoint for this mountain panorama. Standing with the plaque side of the monument behind, a path leaves to the left with the Jubilee Path proceeding straight ahead and a direct, but very steep and muddy track, descending to the right.
Following the Jubilee path through heather and past rowan trees cross a rise giving a last look back at the lake, descend into the forest, gaining views of the valley and farmsteads below and cross a forestry track to continue with a right hand bend along the main footpath. Some 150m from this crossroads a small path forks off from the main path to the left to give a stunning viewpoint on the old foundation of a fire lookout tower that is well worth taking. At 254m this is the highest point on the walk.
Back from this diversion continue on the clear line of the Jubilee path as it twists and turns on through a ruined wall, veers to the left and starts a clear descent back to the village under the forest canopy. Cross over the forest track ahead, and staying on the path as it weaves in and out, descend steeply on this well-worn track with glimpses of the village below before passing over a small stream to turn slightly left as it appears to go away from the village for a short while.
Over a slight rise and the path veers right from an old forest track and passing rhododendrons and bluebells turns right again before another old track, then turns left and under power lines to turn right, still on the Jubilee path, as it follows old grassy tracks and continues on steeply to the right, zig-zagging towards the road. Join the road via slate steps and turning right return along the village high street to the station.
© Conwy Valley Rail Initiative 2001