Tryfan

915m Tryfan is one of Snowdonia’s most iconic (sorry) and characterful mountains, a sheer-flanked fin of rock standing above the A5 and Llyn Ogwen in the deep Nant Ffrancon valley and clear to the north of its Glyderau mother massif.

The scramble up and over its length is one of Snowdonia’s – and Britain’s – most exciting expeditions, but is only for the fit and confident. It is not as exposed as Crib Goch, but it is not for those who struggle with exposure.

This is a proper scramble up a long, steep, rough path from the north-west just by the famous climber-magnet of the Milestone Buttresses and then up the rising ridge of the fin-top itself, all requiring care, followed by an exposed walk across the crest with its three peaks, followed by a tricky descent to the Far South Peak and the Bwlch Tryfan pass which separates Tryfan from the main Glyderau ridge.

From above the Far South Peak, you can turn east onto the Heather Terrace, a fault in the sheer eastern cliffs, which angles back down towards the valley bottom and is a visual and spiritual tonic and creates a satisfying circuit.

From Bwlch Tryfan you can head in various directions:

You can climb the stunning but very exposed scramble up Bristly Ridge to 994m Glyder Fach;

Head further east to climb the Miner’s Track (there are more than one in Snowdonia!) to the wide grassy plain between Glyder Fach and Y Foel Goch and then on along a choice of paths; or

Turn west into beautiful Cwn Bochlwyd to descend to its lakelet and then drop back to the A5 at the western end of Llyn Ogwen. You can join these two roadheads by walking beside the A5 for 2km, which is a bit tedious. If you park half way along, you can split that stretch!

See our Snowdonia page for more ideas and helpful practical information, photos, and any risks to consider.