Glyders
Walking Guide and Walks

The Glyderau (Glyders in English) is a range of mountains in the Snowdonia National Park. The range includes five of Wales' summits over 3000 feet - Tryfan, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Elidir Fawr, Y Garn and Tryfan. Together these mountains provide excellent walking with most routes starting to the east in the Ogwen Valley. However, it must be remembered that some scrambling is required to access Tryfan's summit.

In addition to the mountain summits, dramatic Cwm Idwal is worth a visit. It is here that the rocky cleft known as Twll Du (Devil's Kitchen) can be found providing access onto the mountain ridge. Other highlights include the rock formations of the Castle of the Winds (Castell y Gwynt), views across to the Snowdon massif and the Carneddau Mountains.

Tryfan is an iconic mountain and it attracts many walkers and climbers each year. However, it does offer challenges especially to those with little mountain experience. However, with care and some basic preparation it can be enjoyed by most well-equipped walkers except when covered in snow and ice.

List of walks

★ GPS file available ☩ Route profile

Walk	Description	Grade	Miles
2680★☩	Circuit of Llyn Idwal	easy	2.80
3001★☩	Tryfan North Ridge from Ogwen Valley	hard	3.50
2855★☩	Gallt yr Ogof & Braich y Ddeugwm	moderate	4.00
1137★☩	Y Garn (Route 2) from Ogwen Cottage	mod/hard	4.50
1186★☩	Y Garn	mod/hard	4.50
1088★☩	Glyder Ridge traverse	hard	5.50
1215★☩	Tryfan & Llyn Ogwen from Ogwen Valley	mod/hard	5.50
1454★☩	Glyder Fawr & Glyder Fach from Pen-y-Pass	mod/hard	5.50
3026★☩	Tryfan & the Eastern Tops from Ogwen Valley	hard	5.75
1453★☩	Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd & Marchlyn Mawr reservoir	moderate	6.00
2417★☩	Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr and Tryfan from Idwal Cottage	mod/hard	6.50
2650★☩	Tryfan, the Glyders & Y Garn	very hard	8.00
3019★☩	Y Garn & Carnedd y Filiast Ogwen Cottage	hard	8.50
1150★☩	The High Carneddau	hard	10.00
2300★☩	Glyder Fach	mod/hard	11.50
1074★☩	The Glyders Traverse	very hard	12.00
3002★	Welsh Three-Thousanders from Pen-y-Pass	severe	31.50

Table of summits in the Glyders Group

Rank	Mountain	Metres/Feet	Location
5	Glyder Fawr	1001 / 3284	Snowdonia
6	Glyder Fach	994 / 3261	Snowdonia
13	Y Garn	947 / 3107	Snowdonia
16	Elidir Fawr	924 / 3031	Snowdonia
18	Tryfan	915 / 3002	Snowdonia
49	Foel-goch	831 / 2726	Snowdonia
54	Carnedd y Filiast	821 / 2694	Snowdonia
58	Y Foel-goch	805 / 2641	Snowdonia

Map showing main paths and starting points.

Map of Glyders walks

What is a mountain?

The accepted standard for a mountain in England & Wales is that its summit is 610 metres (2000 feet) or more above sea level. In addition, rules are in place on the height difference above intervening cols with adjacent summits to determine whether a summit is a separate mountain or a subsidiary 'top'. This is not the place to discuss the technicalities of this issue but the list has been checked against reliable tables. With simplicity in mind separate tops have been excluded from the list as these would normally be discussed in relation to their main summits. The list includes 258 summits and these will all be added in due course starting from the highest and working down.

Stay Safe

Do enjoy yourself when out walking and choose a route that is within your capabilities especially with regard to navigation.

Do turn back if the weather deteriorates especially in winter or when visibility is poor.

Do wear the right clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. If the weather is likely to change for the worse make sure you have enough extra clothing in your pack.

Do tell someone where you are planning to walk especially in areas that see few other walkers.

Do take maps and other navigational aids. Do not rely on mobile devices in areas where reception is poor. Take spare batteries especially in cold weather.

Do check the weather forecast before leaving. The Met Office has a number of forecasts for walkers that identify specific weather risks.

Please Note - These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that Walking Britain is not held responsible for the safety or well being of those following the routes as described. It is worth reiterating the point that you should embark on a walk with the correct maps preferably at 1:25000 scale. This will enable any difficulties with route finding to be assessed and corrective action taken if necessary.

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