Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fawr: route map, distance and time
1,001 m · Snowdonia
Glyder Fawr is the highest of the Glyderau, a rocky plateau above Llyn Idwal reached by the steep path past the Devil's Kitchen.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Ogwen Cottage.
The Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse starts at about 308 m and gains 739 m over 4.6 km to 979 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%. The final 0.6 km eases to the top. About 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 760 m |
| Climb on the track | 739 m up, 65 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 308 m to 982 m (summit 1,001 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 44%, from 2.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 31% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Ogwen Cottage, LL57 3LZ |
| Start grid reference | SH 649 603 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 642 579 |
| Parking | Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate |
Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse 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 and plateau traverse 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 and plateau traverse 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 |
| 4 km | 937 m | -22 m | -2% | SH 647 580 |
| 4.6 km | 979 m | +42 m | 7% | SH 642 579 |
How long the Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 50m |
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 14:09 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:07 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Glyder Fawr summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 43 mph gusting 53 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for the Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 04:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Glyder Fawr forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Glyder Fawr?
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.
- 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 Fawr
Glyder Fawr is the highest of the Glyderau, a rocky plateau above Llyn Idwal reached by the steep path past the Devil's Kitchen. More about Glyder Fawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Castell y Gwynt (972 m), 1.2 km east
- Glyder Fach (994 m), 1.4 km east
- Y Garn (947 m), 2 km north-west
- Tryfan (918 m), 2.6 km north-east
Challenges that include Glyder Fawr
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Welsh 1000m Peaks · 5
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Welsh Skyline · 9
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Marilyns · 1,555
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 and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Senior's Gully and Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Y Gribin and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Bristly Ridge up Glyder Fach
- 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 Fawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pen y Pass | 3.1 km one way | 630 m | 1h 40m | Moderate |
| Ogwen via the Devil's Kitchen | 4.9 km one way | 890 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
| Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du | 3.9 km one way | 720 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
| Miners' Track from Pen-y-Gwryd and plateau traverse | 5.5 km one way | 780 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
| Afon Las from Nant Peris | 3.5 km one way | 860 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
| Senior's Gully and Ridge | 4.6 km one way | 830 m | 2h 20m | Scramble |
| Y Gribin | 4.0 km one way | 720 m | 2h 0m | 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 642 579), 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 and plateau traverse: questions and answers
How far is the Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse?
The Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Glyder Fawr, with 760 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does the Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Glyder Fawr and 3h 5m 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 3h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is the Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse?
The steepest 500 m averages about 44%, starting 2.2 km from the start, and 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse climbs 739 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse?
The Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse 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 and plateau traverse 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 Pen y Pass instead.
What time should I start the Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse today?
By 14:09 at the latest. Sunset on Glyder Fawr today is 18:14, The Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse takes about 3h 5m 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 and plateau traverse?
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.