Glyder Fach & Glyder Fawr loop via Bristly Ridge from Ogwen Cottage — Snowdonia National Park

Hiking trails & Routes

Glyder Fach & Glyder Fawr loop via Bristly Ridge from Ogwen Cottage — Snowdonia National Park

Hard

4.7

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696

hikers

Glyder Fach & Glyder Fawr loop via Bristly Ridge from Ogwen Cottage — Snowdonia National Park

04:13

8.84km

730m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 1, 2024

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 2.42 km for 371 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.33 km

Llyn Bochlwyd (Bochlwyd Lake)

Highlight • Lake

In terms of reputation, Llyn Bochlwyd plays second fiddle to the larger and more famous Llyn Idwal to the west. However, Bochlwyd has its own majestic charm, nestled beneath Glyder Fach's mighty main cliff and Tryfan's west face.

The circuit of the ridges above the lake is one of the classic scrambling routes in the UK: the Bochlwyd Horseshoe. Taking in Tryfan's North and South Ridges, Glyder Fach's Bristly Ridge and the quieter Y Gribin, the route is an adventurous hiker's dream, rivalling the nearby Snowdon Horseshoe for sheer drama.

Tip by

2.25 km

Bwlch Tryfan (Tryfan Pass)

Highlight • Trail

Bwlch Tryfan is the pass between two of Wales' finest mountains: Tryfan and Glyder Fach. A number of trails meet here and the adventures it gives access to are wonderful.

The South Ridge scramble to Tryfan's airy summit begins here which, as an easy grade one scramble, is the easiest way up the mountain. Head south for Bristly Ridge, a much trickier grade one scramble that leads straight up to Glyder Fach's moonscape summit.

Tip by

2.52 km

Bristly Ridge

Highlight • Summit

Bristly Ridge is a dramatic scramble that takes you from Bwlch Tryfan to the moonscape summit of Glyder Fach. A real Snowdonian classic, this grade one scramble goes pretty tough for the grade and is a slight step up in technicality compared to Tryfan's North Ridge. However, the holds are generous throughout, making for a memorable ascent.

The scramble begins with Sinister Gully, which can be identified by a jutting prow of rock halfway up. The other gullies that give access to Bristly Ridge have become dangerously eroded, so it's important to get this right.

After Sinister Gully, the scrambling is great fun on ground that feels similar to Tryfan's North Ridge. The crux is the Great Pinnacle Gap, an atmospheric notch in the ridge towards the very top.

In winter conditions, Bristly Ridge is much more serious. One for experienced and equipped mountaineers only.

Tip by

3.06 km

Glyder Fach summit and the Cantilever Stone

Highlight • Summit

Home to the impossibly-balanced, much-photographed Cantilever Stone, Glyder Fach is the highlight of the Glyders: a world of jumbled boulders and craggy outcrops, soaring sumptuously above Llyn Ogwen. For an epic Grade 1 outing, scramble up the rocky turrets of Bristly Ridge before descending the similarly awesome Y Gribin arête.

Tip by

3.33 km

Castell y Gwynt

Highlight • Natural Monument

Glyder Fach's Castell y Gwynt – the Castle of the Winds – is an astonishing jumble of angled rock that puts one in mind of the Iron Throne. With Snowdon forming the backdrop, it makes for a glorious photograph on a clear day, while keen scramblers will revel in the short clamber to the top. It is usually considered as a part of Glyder Fach rather than as a separate summit in itself.

Tip by

4.64 km

Glyder Fawr summit

Highlight • Summit

The summit of Glyder Fawr is magnificent. On a clear day you will see incredible views of Snowdon, Crib Goch and Garnedd Ugain. At 3,284 feet (1,001 m), it is the highest peak in the Glyderau range.

Tip by

5.99 km

Devil's Kitchen (Twll Du)

Highlight • Gorge

The moment you arrive at Devil's Kitchen it is easy to see why the dark crack which splits the rock of Clogwyn y Geifr (Cliff of the Goat) between Y Garn and Glyder Fawr has inspired so much legend. The Welsh name for Devil’s Kitchen is Twll Du, meaning ‘black hole’. It got its name because a plume of steam is often seen rising from a crack resembling a chimney. According to folklore, when steam is rising from the chimney it means the Devil is cooking.

Tip by

7.64 km

Cwm Idwal

Highlight • Lake

A beautiful lake with stunning views to Tryfan and Pen Yr Ole Wen. There is a circular walk from the visitors centre which takes you around the lake or you can use this as a starting point for the mountains above.

Tip by

8.58 km

Ogwen Visitor Centre and Snack Bar

Highlight • Parking

The visitor centre is located on the A5, approximately 5 miles south of Bethesda and approximately 4 miles west of Capel Curig, on the western side of Llyn Ogwen.
There are a number of facilities including toilets, disabled toilets, an information room, public wifi and a small kiosk selling hot and cold snacks.
From the visitor centre you can start a range of walks and climbs in the area. The most popular is the walk to Wales' first ever national nature reserve, the beautiful Cwm Idwal, a glacial lake with a mountainous backdrop.
(Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.84 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.13 km

2.91 km

1.99 km

383 m

321 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

5.73 km

2.18 km

518 m

257 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Saturday 10 October

13°C

6°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

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Comments

September 7, 2025,Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach Circular

Fab circular hike, but terrible weather conditions. Difficult navigation on the sunmits. Wait until the forecast is good 🤦‍♂️

May 23, 2025,Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr and the Devil's Kitchen - Snowdonia

Lots of scree on the way up glyder fach and very dangerous steep scree coming down from glyder fawr

February 15, 2026,Glyder Fach & Glyder Fawr loop via Bristly Ridge from Ogwen Cottage — Snowdonia National Park

This route is definitely not for beginners and has some very hard scrambling, do not take this route if you do not want to scramble, many parts of the scrambling is exposed to heights, be warned!

September 21, 2024,Tryfan, Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr via The Miners Track from Ogwen Valley

Another 3 of the Welsh 3000s ticked off! We headed away for the weekend for my husband’s birthday and what better way to spend it than in the mountains? Walking the Miners Track, we climbed up to Tryfan via the Far South Peak on a very rocky, scrambly route. The thick mist made navigation off the summit difficult and there …

July 7, 2023,Glyder Fach & Glyder Fawr loop via Bristly Ridge and Devils Kitchen from Ogwen Cottage — Eryri

The Bristly Ridge climb is a Grade 1 scramble but more technical than the Tryfan's North Ridge and Crib Goch, but less exposed than the latter.
The route is not recommended if:
-it's wet
-poor visibility prevails
-you are not sure-footed
-you are not free from giddiness
-not mastered easy climbing or has previous experience with other grade 1 scrambles.

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