The Bochlwyd Horseshoe is one of the definitive routes in North Wales, perhaps only bested by the Snowdon Horseshoe....
Archive for category: Snowdonia Walking Routes in the Glyderau and Tryfan
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.
Y Gribin Ridge Scramble up Glyder Fach

Most people looking to walk up the Glyderau from Ogwen will probably choose one of the popular options, usually...
Best Walks from Dyffryn Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia 5/5 (1)

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All the Routes up Tryfan 4.75/5 (8)

Tryfan is one of the most iconic mountains in the UK, certainly in Wales. It just looks like a...
All the Walking Routes up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach 5/5 (2)

There are few mountains so close together that still show such distinct character as Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach....
Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path from Pen y Gwryd

The walk up Glyder Fach from Pen y Gwryd via the Miner’s Track makes for a different ascent of...
Y Garn via Devil’s Kitchen from Ogwen

Y Garn from Ogwen cottage is a popular walk, and this route can be done in either direction. I...
Walk up Glyder Fawr via the Devil’s Kitchen

The ascent of the Glyderau via the Devil’s Kitchen from Ogwen is one of the classic Snowdonia walks. Setting...
Walk up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach from Pen y Pass

This walk up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, aka the Glyderau, is a slightly unusual walk in many respects....
Best Grade 1 Scrambles in Snowdonia 5/5 (4)

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Walk to Devil’s Kitchen and Cwm Idwal

The walk up to Twll Du – or Devil’s Kitchen – and Cwm Idwal in the Glyderau may only be...
Garn, Glyderau and Tryfan from Ogwen

There’s only one way to enjoy a walk on a Bank Holiday. Well, ok, there’s 2 if you count...
Tryfan Heather Terrace Scramble

Tryfan Heather Terrace is one of the three main (non climber) routes up to the summit of Tryfan, with...
Tryfan North Ridge Scramble from Ogwen

The Tryfan North Ridge Scramble is a challenging route of contrasts. Start off from Llyn Ogwen by climbing up...
Snowdonia in 7 Epic Walks or Backpacks No ratings yet.

Your mission, if you choose to undertake it, is to cover as much Snowdon as you can in 7...
Moel Berfedd – Another Snowdonia Mini Mountain Adventure

There are a surprising number of these mini mountains in Snowdonia, and even 500m from the honey pot of...
Carnedd y Filiast Cwm Ceunant Circuit

The Northern end of the Glyderau receive far less attention than the popular area around Ogwen, but can provide...
Short Wilderness Walk to Cwm Bochlwyd

This is only a few KM long and 300m ascent, but a steady bimble for a sunday afternoon to...
The Best National Trust Walks in Snowdonia No ratings yet.

The National Trust owns many of the more popular walking areas in Snowdonia. Here are some of the best...
The Tryfan Circuit

You know the feeling. You’ve arrived at Ogwen with some mountain newbies, or those who know better and have...
In the Shadow of Tryfan – Eastern Ridges of the Glyderau

After countless walks up the touristy routes – these sort of walks are the ones left if I’m looking...
Moel Lyci (Moel y Ci) Trail Run or Easy Walk

Moel y Ci, or Moel Lyci, Moelyci or even Moel Lleuci  is the northernmost point of the Glyderau range. Noted...
Carnedd y Filiast – Under the Slabs

This is a route up Carnedd y Filiast from Deiniolen, but with an interesting return down through Cwm Perfedd...
Elidir Fawr and Y Garn from Nant Peris

This is the beast of an ascent up Elidir Fawr from Nant Peris that is not for the faint...
Y Garn and Llwybr y Carw from Nant Peris

I recently did Y Garn, from Ogwen on my ML training. Yes, the paths from Ogwen are rockier and...