Bristly Ridge up Glyder Fach: route map, distance and time
994 m · Snowdonia
Glyder Fach is a rocky Glyderau summit above Ogwen, famous for the Cantilever Stone, Castell y Gwynt and the scramble of Bristly Ridge.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Ogwen Cottage.
The Bristly Ridge starts at about 308 m and gains 661 m over 3.0 km to 959 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 164 m (16%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 270 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.2 km at about 44%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Bristly Ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 690 m |
| Climb on the track | 661 m up, 7 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 308 m to 969 m (summit 994 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 44%, from 2.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 47% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Ogwen Cottage, LL57 3LZ |
| Start grid reference | SH 649 603 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 656 582 |
| Parking | Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate |
Bristly Ridge map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Bristly Ridge GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Bristly Ridge kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 472 m | +164 m | 16% | SH 655 596 |
| 2 km | 689 m | +218 m | 22% steep | SH 660 589 |
| 3 km | 959 m | +270 m | 27% steep | SH 656 583 |
How long the Bristly Ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 2h 55m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:54 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:52 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Glyder Fach summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 40 mph gusting 50 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for the Bristly Ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 32 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 09:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Glyder Fach forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Glyder Fach?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 32 mph.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Glyder Fach
Glyder Fach is a rocky Glyderau summit above Ogwen, famous for the Cantilever Stone, Castell y Gwynt and the scramble of Bristly Ridge. More about Glyder Fach, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Castell y Gwynt (972 m), 0.3 km south-west
- Tryfan (918 m), 1.3 km north-east
- Glyder Fawr (1,001 m), 1.4 km west
- Y Foel Goch (805 m), 2.1 km east
- Gallt yr Ogof (763 m), 2.9 km east
- Y Garn (947 m), 2.9 km north-west
Challenges that include Glyder Fach
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Welsh Skyline · 9
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
More walks from Ogwen Cottage
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Dafydd
- South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Ogwen via Y Garn and Mynydd Perfedd up Elidir Fawr
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du up Glyder Fawr
- Senior's Gully and Ridge up Glyder Fawr
- Y Gribin up Glyder Fawr
- Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fawr
- South-west ridge from Ogwen up Pen yr Ole Wen
- North East Ridge up Y Garn
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du up Y Garn
- Ogwen via Y Garn up Carnedd y Filiast
- Ogwen via Y Garn up Mynydd Perfedd
Other routes up Glyder Fach
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pen y Gwryd via the Miners' Track | 3.9 km one way | 720 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du and plateau traverse | 5.4 km one way | 790 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
| Afon Las from Nant Peris and plateau traverse | 5.1 km one way | 930 m | 2h 35m | Hard |
| Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse | 4.6 km one way | 700 m | 2h 5m | Hard |
| Ogwen via Bristly Ridge | 3.7 km one way | 828 m | 2h 5m | Scramble |
| Senior's Gully and Ridge and plateau traverse | 6.1 km one way | 900 m | 2h 45m | Scramble |
| Y Gribin and plateau traverse | 5.6 km one way | 790 m | 2h 25m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 649 603, the summit at SH 656 582), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Bristly Ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Bristly Ridge?
The Bristly Ridge is 3.0 km one way to the summit of Glyder Fach, with 690 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.0 km.
How long does the Bristly Ridge take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Glyder Fach and 2h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 55m for the round trip.
How steep is the Bristly Ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 44%, starting 2.2 km from the start, and 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Bristly Ridge climbs 661 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Bristly Ridge?
The Bristly Ridge starts from Ogwen Cottage (postcode LL57 3LZ). The grid reference is SH 649 603. Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate
Is the Bristly Ridge suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day, or take the Pen y Gwryd via the Miners' Track instead.
What time should I start the Bristly Ridge today?
By 14:54 at the latest. Sunset on Glyder Fach today is 18:14, The Bristly Ridge takes about 2h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Bristly Ridge?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.