Walk 1088 - printer friendly version

Glyder Ridge traverse Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.5 miles / 8.9 km

Ascent - 2485 feet / 753 metres

Grade - hard

Start - OS grid reference SH649603
Lat 53.122704 + Long -4.0203408
Postcode LL57 3LZ (approx. location only)

The Glyders form a compact range of mountains lying to the west of the A5 main road between Bangor and Capel Curig. In contrast to the relatively smooth outlines of the western flank, the eastern flank facing the A5 is craggy and full of interest. The main objective of this walk is to visit the two highest summits of the range, Glyder Fawr (3277 ft.) and Glyder Fach (3261 ft.) However it would be possible to include magnificent Tryfan if you have enough energy and an extra hour or so to spend on the mountains. If you were only going to make one walk in the Glyders then this is the one to do. Packed full of interest it is in my "top ten" of favourite walks.

The best place to park for this Snowdonia (Eryri) walk is in the small car park at Ogwen Cottage (grid ref.SH 649603) where there is an excellent take-away cafe ready for quenching your thirst on return to your car. Take the well constructed path heading south. After a few hundred yards bear left and start the steady and interesting climb up to the shores of Lake Bochlwyd which is an ideal place to have your first rest. Overlooked by mountains in every direction with Tryfan dominant to the east.

Suitably refreshed continue upwards to Bwlch Tryfan from where it is an easy proposition to climb Tryfan (see walk 3026). From here you need to descend slightly and tackle the steep loose path to the south of the famous Bristly Ridge (ideal for competent scramblers) up to the summit of Glyder Fawr. Initially the path is rough and loose but as height is gained it becomes less steep and easier. However do not let this put you off. The rewards from the summit plateau are well worth the effort.

The Glyder plateau is a stony wasteland (almost a moon-scape) and from Glyder Fach you have an excellent view to Glyder Fawr with the interesting rock formation of Castell y Gwynt (Castle of the Winds) prominent in the foreground. Also of interest is the cantilever rock on which someone is usually perched having their photograph taken. Proceeding roughly west it is hard going over the rocky landscape but the views to Snowdon, the Carneddau and Tryfan are superb. Glyder Fawr is the highest summit of the range and you now find improving vistas over the northern Glyders including Y Garn and Elidir Fawr.

The worst part of the walk is the descent to Llyn y Cwn. The path, on this occasion, was treacherous made of up loose slippery scree. However with patience this was soon overcome and we relaxed ready for the descent down the Devil's Kitchen another highlight of this spectacular walk.

As you start the descent down the rocky stairway the dark waters of Llyn Idwal are far below. This is mountain scenery at its best with crags, cliffs and mountains crowding round the path. We chose the path running to the east of Llyn Idwal and were faced with a tricky crossing of a stream in spate. However this was achieved with dry feet and all that was left was to follow the path underneath the Idwal Slabs and back to the car. The Idwal Slabs were crowded with novice climbers learning their skills on the easy rocks of this well-known crag.

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