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Tryfan, the Glyders & Y Garn from Ogwen Valley

Snowdonia/Eryri Walk

Nat Park - Snowdonia - Glyders Tryfan

County/Area - Conwy

Author - Jake Robertson

Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km    Ascent - 4650 feet / 1409 metres

Time - 8 hours 40 minutes    Grade - very hard

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 - Tryfan, the Glyders & Y Garn
Click image to see photo description.

Here's a slightly taxing but entertaining Snowdonia (Eryri) walk over the Glyderau, one for a good day when the temptation to go onto the next summit is too much to resist. The start is the roadside parking between Ogwen Cottage and the foot of Tryfan alongside the A5 where it runs close to Llyn Ogwen (Grid ref. SH 653602).

Walk up the road to the stile on the right beneath the Milestone Buttress. The path climbs to the bottom of the North Ridge where one is at liberty to make your own way up to the summit (3002ft) crowned with the sentinel rocks of Adam and Eve. Descend down the south ridge to Bwlch Tryfan where Glyder Fach's Bristly Ridge rears up.

Climb up to the base of the lower crags and up the scree to the left where numerous gullies lead up to the ridge. Scramble up onto the ridge then progress along in glorious mountain scenery. The exposure is similar to Crib Goch but the scrambling is slightly more sustained. Eventually you will come to the gash of the Great Pinnacle Gap where an airy descent is needed to cross it. From here it is more of the same to the end of the ridge, leaving you quite spectacularly on the Glyder plateau. ( Note-This ridge can be avoided by climbing up the scree slope to the left of the ridge).

Make your way to the right, past the Cantilever Stone to the summit knoll of Glyder Fach (3261ft) which gives tremendous views over Yr Wyddfa and the other ranges of Snowdonia (Eryri). It is not too far to Castell y Gwynt which is skirted on the left. A clear path leads up to the summit of Glyder Fawr (3278ft).

Descend to a broad shelf, following a cairned path down a steep drop to Llyn y Cwn above the Devil's Kitchen. It looks a long climb up to Y Garn but this is only a deception, it is quite a short climb of about 800ft to the sensational top. Quite the best in the Glyderau, Y Garn is magnificent, the views and "mountain feel" are unparalleled with the secretive Cwm Clyd adding to the magical atmosphere.

It is quite a long way down the north ridge to Bwlch y Cywion then a gentle climb up the quite spongy ridge to the dramatic top of Foel Goch which has a nice exposed view down the Nant Ffrancon.

Almost double back on yourself and walk south along the escarpment, descending down the ridge marked on the maps as Y Llymllwyd making for an easy route to the bottom of Cwm Cywion where it is a boggy stretch to the old road over pathless ground. From here it is not to far down the road to Ogwen.

Note - For those with transport arrangements, this walk could be extended to include Elidir Fawr and descend to Llanberis, thus climb all the Glydrau 3000ft peaks in one long but enjoyable outing.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1088 Glyder Ridge traversehard5.5 miles
Walk 1186 Y Garn from Ogwen Cottagemod/hard4.5 miles
Walk 3019 Y Garn & Carnedd y Filiast Ogwen Cottagehard8.5 miles
Walk 3062 Pen yr Ole Wenmoderate5.0 miles
Walk 2417 Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr and Tryfan from Idwal Cottagemod/hard6.5 miles
Walk 1137 Y Garn (Route 2) from Ogwen Cottagemod/hard4.5 miles
Walk 2680 Circuit of Llyn Idwal easy2.8 miles
Walk 2820 Carneddau traverse from Llyn Ogwenmod/hard14.0 miles
Walk 1150 The High Carneddau from Ogwen Valleyhard10.0 miles
Walk 1215 Tryfan & Llyn Ogwen from Ogwen Valleymod/hard5.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Mountain Walking in Snowdonia

Mountain Walking in SnowdoniaGuidebook to 40 of Snowdonia's best day walks, with routes up Snowdon and Tryfan, including the Snowdon Horseshoe, Cadair Idris, Y Garn and The Rhinogs. The routes range from Grade 1 scrambles like Crib Goch or Bristly Ridge, to riverside and forest walks. Includes details of a 2-day traverse of all 15 of Snowdonia's 3000ft peaks.
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Snowdonia: 30 Low-level and easy walks - South

Snowdonia: 30 Low-level and easy walks - SouthGuidebook describing 30 walks in Snowdonia, Wales. Routes are mostly low level and on clear paths and showcase the region's beautiful scenery and rich history and culture. Part of a 2-volume set, this southern volume includes Trawsfynydd, Bala, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, the Harlech Coast and the valleys of the Mawddach and Dyfi.
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