Tryfan

Tryfan

Tryfan rises above the Ogwen Valley in the Glyderau of Eryri (Snowdonia). Its recorded height is 917.5 m (3,010 ft), with 192 m of prominence.

Summit and terrain

The summit has the twin rock pillars Adam and Eve, also known as Siôn a Siân. DoBIH records Adam as the summit feature. The pillars are exposed: jumping between them is dangerous and is not necessary to enjoy the summit area. Leave rocks in place. The mountain has steep ridges, gullies and extensive broken rock. Even the South Ridge, the least difficult usual summit approach, involves scrambling. It is a mountain for experienced, well-equipped parties.

Geology

Tryfan’s upper crags contain Ordovician ash-flow tuffs of the Capel Curig Volcanic Formation and intrusive rhyolite. The surrounding succession also includes sedimentary rocks. This is an ancient volcanic landscape, not predominantly Old Red Sandstone.

Route options

These are itinerary summaries, not turn-by-turn navigation instructions. Choose a complete route using an up-to-date map and specialist guide, including the descent and return to the exact starting point. Scrambling grades describe summer conditions and do not make a route safe for everyone.

1. North Ridge and South Ridge circuit

Hard: Grade 1 scrambling. Start at the A5 below Milestone Buttress, ascend the North Ridge to Tryfan, then descend the South Ridge to Bwlch Tryfan. Return via Llyn Bochlwyd and the path back to the A5, completing the link to the start. Exposed scrambling and complex route-finding; avoid improvised gully descents. Do not jump between Adam and Eve. Plan from a current map and guide.

2. Heather Terrace and South Ridge circuit

Hard: exposed path and scrambling. From the eastern end of Llyn Ogwen near Gwern Gof Uchaf, reach Heather Terrace on Tryfan’s east face. Follow it to the South Ridge near Far South Peak and scramble to the summit. Descend the South Ridge to Bwlch Tryfan, then return down Cwm Tryfan to the start. The terrace is narrow and route-finding can be difficult; this is not an easy walking ascent.

3. South Ridge via Cwm Bochlwyd, out and back

Hard: Grade 1 scrambling. From the Cwm Idwal Centre at Ogwen (SH649603), follow the mountain paths via Llyn Bochlwyd to Bwlch Tryfan. Ascend the South Ridge to Tryfan and return by the same route. This is a less sustained scramble than the North Ridge, but rocky steps, exposure and difficult route-finding remain, including on descent.

4. Tryfan and Bristly Ridge: Bochlwyd Horseshoe

Very hard: sustained exposed scrambling. From the A5 below Milestone Buttress, ascend Tryfan’s North Ridge, descend the South Ridge to Bwlch Tryfan, then climb Bristly Ridge to Glyder Fach. Continue west to descend Y Gribin to Cwm Bochlwyd and return to the A5 and start. A committing circuit with exposed scrambling and downclimbing, for experienced parties in suitable conditions. Y Gribin is not a simple walking descent.

5. Tryfan and Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge

Very hard: sustained exposed scrambling. From the A5 below Milestone Buttress, ascend Tryfan’s North Ridge, descend to Bwlch Tryfan and climb Bristly Ridge to Glyder Fach. Head east towards Llyn Caseg Fraith, taking the Miners’ Path branch back towards Bwlch Tryfan, then descend Cwm Tryfan and return along the valley to the start. Avoid the eroded Bristly Screes shortcut. Requires a current map and confident navigation.

The Miners’ Path option above is east of Glyder Fach and connects towards Bwlch Tryfan. It must not be confused with the Miners’ Track on Yr Wyddfa. The Bochlwyd Horseshoe instead returns by Y Gribin; both itineraries require careful navigation.

Access and facilities

Parking in Ogwen is limited and often fills early. The Cwm Idwal Centre car park at the western end of Llyn Ogwen (SH649603) serves Cwm Bochlwyd approaches; the North Ridge is normally approached from legal A5 parking below Milestone Buttress, farther east. Check signs and current Eryri parking advice. Do not park on double yellow lines or block access. The TrawsCymru T10 links Bangor, Bethesda and Betws-y-Coed and stops at Ogwen. Eryri also lists Bws Ogwen between Bethesda and Ogwen. Check current operating days, stops and last return services before travelling. The Cwm Idwal Centre at Ogwen has public toilets and a snack bar. Check current opening arrangements for refreshments. There are no summit facilities; carry the food, water and equipment needed for the whole route.

Views and nearby summits

In clear weather, views extend across the Ogwen Valley and towards the neighbouring Glyderau and Carneddau. Cloud can obscure the outlook; visibility depends on the day’s conditions. Nearby Glyder Fawr is 1000.9 m and Glyder Fach is 994.3 m in DoBIH v18.6; neither is a casual addition to a Tryfan day.

Name and climbing history

The Wales Place Names Society explains Tryfan as the intensifying element try- plus ban, meaning summit or peak, describing a pronounced or sharp summit. The familiar “three peaks” explanation should not be presented as a settled translation. Tryfan has a long climbing history. The National Trust records George Mallory climbing here in 1907 and its use as a training ground for members of the 1953 Everest expedition.

Safety

Wet rock, gusts and poor visibility can make the ridges much more serious. Know when to turn back, keep the party together, and do not follow an unknown gully as an escape. Snow, ice and verglas can turn the summer scrambles into winter mountaineering routes. Winter equipment and the skills to use it are essential in those conditions. Check a mountain forecast and current conditions, and turn back if conditions exceed the party’s ability.

Carry a map and compass and know how to use them, along with waterproofs, warm layers, a headtorch, food, water and emergency supplies. Check daylight and leave your route with someone. In an emergency call 999, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.

Sources

• Database of British and Irish Hills: DoBIH v18.6, hill 1977 (Tryfan), and hills 1967/1968
• National Trust: Walking and climbing on Tryfan
• British Mountaineering Council: How to scramble Tryfan’s North Ridge
• British Geological Survey: Ordovician (Caradoc) marginal basin volcanism in Snowdonia (1991)
• Eryri National Park Authority: Ogwen visitor information
• Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation: Oggie 8 Route (archived event)
• Cwm Idwal Partnership; named Wales Place Names Society contribution: Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve booklet, pages 3, 4 and 28
• Walk Eryri / Mud and Routes: Tryfan: The Best Routes and Scrambles, Dave Roberts (Mountain Leader)