The Glyderau mountain range in Snowdonia, lie directly opposite the Carneddau, whose craggy Ogwen aspect draw walkers and climbers alike. Tryfan and Bristly ridge offer superb scrambling, as do the many other routes to the top of Y Garn and the Glyderau. As a contrast, the Llanberis Pass side of these mountains has little in the form of ridges to the top, instead relying on a number of slogs and scrambles. These vary from the perennial popularity of walks in Cwm Idwal and Llyn Idwal, as well as walks to the intriguingly named Devil’s Kitchen or Twll Du in Welsh meaning black hole. There are no easy walking routes up Glyder Fach or Glyder Fawr, with all the routes being rough and mountainous. Just perfect for a good mountain day’s walking.
Glyder Fawr may be the highest of the Glyderau and the third highest mountain in Wales, but Glyder Fach boasts the more interesting landmarks from Castell y Gwynt (Castle of the Winds) which is one of the most recognisable views in Snowdonia to the Cantilever Stone on Glyder Fach that’s a must do photo opportunity! Not only that, but the best route is arguably the Bochlwyd Horseshoe which scrambles up Tryfan’s North Ridge, then on to Bristly Ridge , Glyder Fach and descending via the Gribin Ridge.
The mountain peak of Tryfan is even more iconic, boasting Adam and Eve and the Cannon photo opportunities while scrambling up Tryfan North Ridge. The Heather Terrace offers an alternative route up, which is equally rewarding for those who want slightly less scrambling. There’s also Tryfan’s South Ridge, which may be the least glamorous route up Tryfan but still needs to be treated with care.
That’s not to forget the other peaks in the Glyderau. Y Garn dominates the view from Llyn Ogwen, while Elidir Fawr towers high over Llanberis. From Capel Curig, the peak visible is the even less frequented Gallt yr Ogof. The range peters off in the north with the dominating peak of Foel-goch, Mynydd Perfedd and finally Carnedd y Filiast. That’s not to begin mentioning the cymoedd and the lakes that are peppered across the range.
The Best Walks in the Glyderau.
The Bochlwyd Horseshoe – The only scrambling route that comes close to the Snowdon Horseshoe as you scramble over Tryfan’s North Ridge, Bristly Ridge and descending y Gribin..
Tryfan North Ridge – The Classic route up Tryfan.
Y Garn, Glyderau and Tryfan from Ogwen – A great circuit of the main Glyderau from Ogwen.
Tryfan Heather Terrace Scramble – An alternative scramble to the North Ridge, but not easy!
Devil’s Kitchen, Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach – A walk up the spectacular Devil’s Kitchen.
Elidir Fawr and Y Garn from Nant Peris – The gentler side of these hills.
Glyderau from Pen y Pass – A quieter route that’s worth doing if only for the views over to Snowdon.
Glyderau Traverse – Walking the glyderau in one go makes a great mountain day or weekend wild camp.
Scroll to see the rest of our Glyderau walks.
The Bochlwyd Horseshoe is one of the definitive routes in North Wales, perhaps only bested by the Snowdon Horseshoe. It is one of the most adventurous outings you can have without having to resort to ropes or harnesses and, it takes in a number of the most photographed locations in Snowdonia along the way. We’re …
Most people looking to walk up the Glyderau from Ogwen will probably choose one of the popular options, usually the Devil’s Kitchen approach. Thankfully, that makes this approach much, much quieter than it deserves to be. With excellent paths that are easy to follow and a section of scrambling that’s just exciting enough for those …
Dyffryn Ogwen (Valley), or just Ogwen or Ogwen Cottage, is one of the best walking bases in the whole of Snowdonia, with the mighty Carneddau to one side and the rugged Glyderau to the other there are plenty of walks to choose from. The mountains of Tryfan, Glyder Fach and Fawr and Carneddau Dafydd and …
Best Walks from Dyffryn Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia Read More »
Tryfan is one of the most iconic mountains in the UK, certainly in Wales. It just looks like a mountain from every direction, without a single easy approach available! At 917m high, it’s just one of the main 15 Peaks, and when recently re-measured it was feared it would lose that status. Thankfully, they discovered …
There are few mountains so close together that still show such distinct character as Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach. While they’re both one of the 14/15 peaks, Glyder Fawr recently gained a few metres and increased from 999m to 1001m in height to become one of the 5 Welsh 1000m Peaks. Glyder Fach boasts the …
All the Walking Routes up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach Read More »
The walk up Glyder Fach from Pen y Gwryd via the Miner’s Track makes for a different ascent of the Glyderau. It’s a steadier climb than those from Nant Peris and Pen y Pass, and not as rough and scrambly as those from Ogwen. Though that’s arguably their appeal. Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path …
Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path from Pen y Gwryd Read More »
Y Garn from Ogwen cottage is a popular walk, and this route can be done in either direction. I personally prefer walking this in reverse, with the ascent of Y Garn’s NE Ridge being a classic approach to this mountain. However, the Devil’s Kitchen is easier in ascent than descent, so we’ve detailed that route. …
The ascent of the Glyderau via the Devil’s Kitchen from Ogwen is one of the classic Snowdonia walks. Setting off steadily up to Llyn Idwal, the path then begins to show it’s true colours and climbs steeply up the Devil’s Kitchen. It then becomes steeper for the scree path up Glyder Fawr, but once you’re …
This walk up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, aka the Glyderau, is a slightly unusual walk in many respects. Not many people find their way to Pen y Pass, fight the crowds and then cross the road to the Glyderau rather than climbing Snowdon. You’ll also be bucking the trend as most people ascend Glyder …
Walk up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach from Pen y Pass Read More »
Scrambles in Snowdonia To celebrate the launch of the new Scrambles in Snowdonia by Steve Ashton, published by Cicerone, we’ve collated the best selection of Grade 1 scrambles in Snowdonia. We’ve steered clear of the trickier scrambles and kept to the easier grade 1 routes. Be warned that these are far from being ‘easy’ routes! …
The walk up to Twll Du – or Devil’s Kitchen – and Cwm Idwal in the Glyderau may only be a short walk, but you need to be prepared for some serious terrain. The route up to the Devil’s Kitchen is steep and rocky, bordering on scrambling in places. If in any doubt, you could take …
There’s only one way to enjoy a walk on a Bank Holiday. Well, ok, there’s 2 if you count don’t bother, but getting up just after dawn and being on the hill for 7am is the one I’d choose. Even the car park at Ogwen was empty! So this weekend, why not try and miss …
Tryfan Heather Terrace is one of the three main (non climber) routes up to the summit of Tryfan, with the Tryfan North Ridge and Tryfan South Ridge being the other two. The Tryfan Heather Terrace is still a tough route with route finding difficulties aplenty. While it’s definitely easier than the North Ridge, it’s a …
The Tryfan North Ridge Scramble is a challenging route of contrasts. Start off from Llyn Ogwen by climbing up to the Summit of Tryfan and the twin obelisks of Adam and Eve, along Tryfan’s North Ridge – the longest sustained grade 1 scramble in Snowdonia (with a down scramble on Tryfan’s South Ridge to boot). …
Your mission, if you choose to undertake it, is to cover as much Snowdon as you can in 7 days. Many of these walks are seriously long and would make excellent 2 day backpacking routes in Snowdonia. By following these routes, you’ll only miss out a handful of summits across the entire park. just for …
There are a surprising number of these mini mountains in Snowdonia, and even 500m from the honey pot of Pen-y-Pass, you can find a corker of a hill along with total isolation. The hill of Moel Berfedd doesn’t really find itself onto any significant hill list, and barely rises 70m from the col that separates …
Moel Berfedd – Another Snowdonia Mini Mountain Adventure Read More »
The Northern end of the Glyderau receive far less attention than the popular area around Ogwen, but can provide an interesting and quieter approach to these hills. This was an interesting afternoon circuit around Cwm Ceunant, with either leg being suitable as a starting point for a more substantial walk across the Glyderau. Don’t be …
This is only a few KM long and 300m ascent, but a steady bimble for a sunday afternoon to an excellent viewpoint. It’s worth dragging your picnic hamper up here on a summer’s day, enjoy the amphitheatre of the Cwm and just chill out! 1 You can start the route anywhere between Ogwen and one …
The National Trust owns many of the more popular walking areas in Snowdonia. Here are some of the best National Trust Walks in Snowdonia on Mud and Routes. Remember to put a few quid in the collection boxes that have recently appeared in order to help footpath maintenance. A large section of the Carneddau, from …
You know the feeling. You’ve arrived at Ogwen with some mountain newbies, or those who know better and have left the crampons at home (“Well it wasn’t snowing in Surrey!”) and the mountains are wearing their full winter raiment (that’s enough Showell Styles for one post). Climbing Tryfan, for it’s more a climb than a …
After countless walks up the touristy routes – these sort of walks are the ones left if I’m looking for a change. However, there’s no better way to get to know familiar hills from these unfamiliar angles with the ridge of Braich y Ddeugwm providing an unparalleled view of Tryfan’s impressive East Face (impressive from …
In the Shadow of Tryfan – Eastern Ridges of the Glyderau Read More »
Moel y Ci, or Moel Lyci, Moelyci or even Moel Lleuci is the northernmost point of the Glyderau range. Noted as Moel y Ci on the OS maps, this is locally regarded as a typo and it’s known as Moel Lyci / Moelyci, spell it as you will! Either way, the circuit of this hill makes …
This is a route up Carnedd y Filiast from Deiniolen, but with an interesting return down through Cwm Perfedd and Cwm Graianog. Would make a much better route starting from Nant Ffrancon. 1 The route starts at the road head at Marchllyn, with an easy and steady walk up the reservoir road as far as …
This is the beast of an ascent up Elidir Fawr from Nant Peris that is not for the faint hearted with a sadistic 800m of largely slogging on a steep slope with the only respite being the summit. This classic walk returns over Y Garn and down via Llwybr y Carw to Nant Peris. Distance, …
