Tryfan & Bristly Ridge
6h -7h
13.2km
Difficult
1000m
Dayhike
This classic Snowdonia route combines two of the best-known grade 1 scrambles in the UK. The North Ridge of Tryfan offers a challenging, hands-on ascent with constant scrambling and exposed sections, while Bristly Ridge continues the adventure with narrow ridgelines and rocky chimneys leading onto the Glyderau plateau. It’s a demanding but rewarding day, well-suited to confident scramblers with good movement skills and a head for heights.
Warning: This route is dangerous on a good weather day, do not attempt in rain or snow.
Access
Car:
This classic Snowdonia route combines two of the best-known grade 1 scrambles in the UK. The North Ridge of Tryfan offers a challenging, hands-on ascent with constant scrambling and exposed sections, while Bristly Ridge continues the adventure with narrow ridgelines and rocky chimneys leading onto the Glyderau plateau. It’s a demanding but rewarding day, well-suited to confident scramblers with good movement skills and a head for heights.
Public Transportation:
This classic Snowdonia route combines two of the best-known grade 1 scrambles in the UK. The North Ridge of Tryfan offers a challenging, hands-on ascent with constant scrambling and exposed sections, while Bristly Ridge continues the adventure with narrow ridgelines and rocky chimneys leading onto the Glyderau plateau. It’s a demanding but rewarding day, well-suited to confident scramblers with good movement skills and a head for heights.
Description
Start at the Ogwen Visitor Centre on the A5 and follow the path heading south-east alongside Llyn Ogwen. Continue on this path until it begins to rise towards the base of Tryfan, keeping to the eastern side of the mountain. Leave the main path where it steepens into rocky ground at the foot of the North Ridge.
Climb directly onto the North Ridge and follow it upwards, staying close to the crest. Scramble over a series of rock steps and short walls, choosing lines as required. Pass the Cannon Stone on the ridge, then continue upwards towards the North Tower. The North Tower can be climbed directly or bypassed on easier ground nearby before rejoining the ridge above.
Continue scrambling up the ridge, maintaining a generally north-to-south line, until the angle eases near the summit. Reach the summit of Tryfan at 918 metres, marked by the stones known as Adam and Eve.
From the summit, descend southwards on rocky ground towards Bwlch Tryfan. Follow the clear line of descent into the col between Tryfan and Glyder Fach.
From Bwlch Tryfan, turn towards Bristly Ridge and begin the ascent directly from the col. Scramble up broken rock and gullies, keeping to the main line of the ridge. Continue upwards until the scrambling ends on the plateau of Glyder Fach.
From the top of Bristly Ridge, turn north-west and walk across the plateau to reach the start of the descent route. Follow Y Gribin north-west, staying on the ridge as it descends steadily towards the Ogwen Valley.
Continue down Y Gribin until it drops to lower ground above the valley. Join the established paths leading back towards Llyn Ogwen and follow them north to return to the Ogwen Visitor Centre.
