| As with most routes that start from the Ogwen Valley,
parking can be found along the main A5 road in many
of the parking laybys that are scattered alongside the
Llyn Ogwen. At 300m above sea level this high start
takes out a lot of unnessecary ascent. From the main
road follow the footpaths that head up towards Cwm Bochlwyd
following the side of the Nant Bochlwyd. The path will
get rocky as it approaches the small waterfalls before
topping out at the end of Llyn Bochlwyd with its impressive
back wall of Glyder Fach's formiddable north face.
Llyn Ogwen
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Stile at Bwlch Tryfan
|
From Llyn Bochlwyd follow the path round the left side
of the lake until it starts to climb steadilly towards
the col between Tryfan on the left and Glyder Fach on
the right, known as Bwlch Tryfan. The path starts off
on easy ground but the higher it gets the harder it
gets until it reaches a valley of huge boulders with
a wall and stile at the end on the top of Bwlch Tryfan.
Take a look to your left from the wall and stile and
you will now see the start of Bristly Ridge. If you
decide you cannot handle the ridge due to inexperience,
fear or bad weather then simply cross the stile and
turn right up a steep but clear path that will lead
to the summit plateau of Glyder Fach.
Bristly Ridge Chimney
|
Bristly Ridge Gully
|
Bristly Ridge is one of Snowdonias most feared ridges
and once you've done it you'll have ever been scared
senseless on its knife edge pinnacles and difficult
climbs or have had one of your favourite and most exhilerating
scrambles ever. To start the scramble you must first
try to get onto the ridge proper by climbing its side.
The usual rule with Bristly Ridge is that looking from
Bwlch Tryfan, the furthest right you start the harder
the climb. If unsure then wait at Bwlch Tryfan and watch
others go first and decide for yourself your prefered
route. I prefer to start somewhere in the middle, where
a few gullies and chimneys lead up with good climbs
on either side of them. Once on the ridge proper you
can from the crest look towards the rest of the ridge
and see its unbelievably spikey profile. Follow the
crest where possible over some really impressive pinnacles
and all the time concentrating on your next move while
looking around at the breathtaking views. This really
is on amazing place and the satisfaction of completing
Bristly is overwhelming.
Bristly Ridge Approach
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Exposure on Bristly Ridge
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You will reach the summit plateau and head in the obvious
direction of its highest point. There is no trig point
at the highest point but it is fairly obvious which
rocks are the highest at 994M. Close by to the summit
you will wihout mistake notice the Cantilever Stone,
usually with a fellow trekker stood on top while another
takes there picture. In the height of summer this stone
must see hundreds of people in one day and there are
often queues for this unique photo opportunity. The
rock looks as though it should topple over when people
stand on it but after thousands of people and groups
standing on it the rock still sits in the same precarious
position it has for centuries.
From the summit of Glyder Fach you will see on the
far western side of the mountain plateau a huge natural
display of sharp slate rocks soaring skyward like something
out of a science fiction movie. This is Castell y Gwynt
or translated Castle Of The Winds, named due to the
noise the rocks make as strong winds pass through them.
Castell y Gwynt is one of the natural wonders of the
British Isles and the closer you get the more you realise
just how spectacular it is. There is no obvious path
here but you can either skirt round Castell y Gwynt
on either side or simply cross over them if you dare.
On the other side there is a short steep section down
onto Bwlch y Ddwy-Glyder.
Castell y Gwynt
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Cantilever Stone
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From Bwlch y Ddwy-Glyder follow the obvios path as
it slowly ascends the flat but rocky plateau of Glyder
Fawr, the path edges the Nameless Cwm with stunning
views down through the Nant Ffrancon valley. After a
while you'll reach the top of Glyder Fawr, the highest
of the Glyderau range at 999M. There is once again no
trig point and on Glyder Fawr it isn't quite as obvious
which of the few mounds of rock is actually the highest.
You will realise that the summit of Glyder Fawr is not
nearly as exciting as that of its smaller sister Glyder
fach. From Glyder Fawr descend north west over rocky
ground then along the obvious path until you reach a
steep section down to Llyn y Cwn. At this point this
path continues north to ascend Y Garn, however turn
right here along an obvious path and the path will head
towards the edge before turning into a well laid path
that descends quickly down into the glacial hollow of
Cwm Idwal. As the path is at its left most position
looking behind you can gape into the famous gully known
as Twll Du or The Devils Kitchen. This huge gully with
a waterfall and stream running through it is full of
mysterious mythical stories and makes a great ascent
route for competent scramblers.
Llyn Idwal
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Cwm Idwal
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The path from here is very obvious as it rounds Llyn
Idwal, passing the sloping stones of the Idwal Slabs
on the right often with climbers and ropes hanging from
its many lines. The path will continue to skirt the
beautiful Llyn Idwal with its huge back walls until
it reaches its outflow at which point the path now splits
and goes back both ways to the main road at the start
of the walk.
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Duration
: 5 Hrs
