North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen up Tryfan (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
918 m · Snowdonia
Tryfan is the rocky fin above Llyn Ogwen in Snowdonia, a summit you cannot reach without using your hands.
A grade one scramble up the North Ridge over rock steps to the summit.
North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen starts at about 300 m and gains 553 m over 1.3 km to 853 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 438 m (44%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 438 m at an average of 44%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.2 km at about 52%. It keeps climbing at 33% to the top. About 100% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen at a glance
| Distance | 1.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 620 m |
| Climb on the track | 553 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 300 m to 853 m (summit 918 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 52%, from 0.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 100% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | A5 lay-by below Milestone Buttress |
| Start grid reference | SH 663 602 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 664 593 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen 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
- Ogwen Tea Bar1.4 km
- Public toilets0.9 km
- Public toilets1.4 km
- Gwern Gof Uchaf Campsite0.9 km
- YHA Idwal1.5 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen 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.
North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen 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 | 738 m | +438 m | 44% steep | SH 664 596 |
| 1.3 km | 853 m | +115 m | 33% steep | SH 664 593 |
How long North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 1h 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 15:39 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 15:36 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tryfan summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 29 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 -2°C, summit wind 44 mph gusting 55 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 2% (Low), best around 06:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Tryfan forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Tryfan?
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 -4°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 Tryfan
Tryfan is the rocky fin above Llyn Ogwen in Snowdonia, a summit you cannot reach without using your hands. More about Tryfan, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Glyder Fach (994 m), 1.3 km south-west
- Castell y Gwynt (972 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Y Foel Goch (805 m), 1.8 km south-east
- Gallt yr Ogof (763 m), 2.3 km east
- Glyder Fawr (1,001 m), 2.6 km south-west
- Pen yr Ole Wen (978 m), 2.7 km north
Challenges that include Tryfan
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Marilyns · 1,555
More walks from A5 lay-by below Milestone Buttress
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ogwen via Bristly Ridge up Glyder Fach
- Ogwen via the Devil's Kitchen up Glyder Fawr
- Ogwen via the south ridge up Pen yr Ole Wen
- Ogwen via Llyn Clyd up Y Garn
Other routes up Tryfan
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather Terrace and South Ridge | 3.9 km one way | 730 m | 2h 0m | Scramble |
| South Ridge | 3.5 km one way | 620 m | 1h 45m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 663 602, the summit at SH 664 593), 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.
North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen: questions and answers
How far is North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen?
North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen is 1.3 km one way to the summit of Tryfan, with 620 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 2.6 km.
How long does North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen take?
About 1h 20m to the summit of Tryfan and 1h 35m 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 1h 55m for the round trip.
How steep is North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen?
The steepest 500 m averages about 52%, starting 0.2 km from the start, and 100% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen climbs 553 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen?
North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen starts from A5 lay-by below Milestone Buttress. The grid reference is SH 663 602. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen 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.
What time should I start North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen today?
By 15:39 at the latest. Sunset on Tryfan today is 18:14, North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen takes about 1h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen?
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.