Duration: 40 minutes

Distance: 1.2 km

Start: SH 650 603

End: SH 655 594

Parking: Ogwen Car Park, Bethesda, Bangor LL57 3LZ

Although this walk is short, it's challenging and steep in places. You can walk the same way back to the car park.

The walk starts from the National Trust's Car Park. Come out of the car park and turn right. Walk for around 200 meters and you'll reach Nant Ffrancon Viewpoint (A) to the north.

From here, walk back on yourself, passing the car park, but before you reach the main road, walk towards the Ogwen Centre, and you'll see Darwin's Wall (B) in front of the centre. As you look at the Ogwen Centre, walk down the left side and join the footpath. Walk for around 200 meters, crossing a river, and you'll see Ogwen Slate Window Stones (C) on the left. Continue to climb, and after another 200 meters, the main path will bear right towards Cwm Idwal, turn left to follow the footpath towards Llyn Bochlwyd (Ch). Continue to climb carefully on this steep path for 800 meters, keeping Nant Bochlwyd on your left. You'll then reach the end of the walk, Llyn Bochlwyd (Ch). You can follow the same path back to the car park.

a) Nant Ffrancon Viewpoint

Grid Reference: SH 647 603

Nant Ffrancon is a glaciated valley, which shows a defined 'U' shape. This is where the valley starts, and you'll see the Glyderau towering over the Western side and the Carneddau towering over the Eastern side from this viewpoint.

b) Darwin's Wall

Grid Reference: SH 649 603

The Darwin Wall provides a geological record of Charles Darwin's 1831 journey across Snowdonia. His journey took him up Nant Ffrancon to Ogwen, around Cwm Idwal then on via Capel Curig to Ffestiniog and across the Rhinogydd to the coast, finishing at Barmouth. Exact details of the entire route are not available, but the rocks in the Wall represent those he crossed, passed close to and, in some cases, examined.

c) Ogwen Slate Window Stones

Grid Reference: SH 650 602

A total of six window stones have been installed in the Ogwen Valley with each looking towards a different mountain, namely Tryfan, Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr, Foel Goch, Carnedd Y Filliast and Pen Yr Ole Wen.

Ch) Llyn Bochlwyd

Grid Reference: SH 654 592

According to a local legend, this is where an old grey stag, fleeing a hunter, miraculously escaped by leaping from a great height into the lake and swimming to safety while holding its grey cheeks above the surface, in order to breathe.