South Ridge 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 1 scramble to the summit from Pont Wern-gof / Gwern Gof Uchaf approach.
The South Ridge starts at about 307 m and gains 562 m over 3.5 km to 853 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 153 m (15%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 158 m at an average of 16%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.4 km at about 26%. It keeps climbing at 16% to the top. About 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
South Ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 620 m |
| Climb on the track | 562 m up, 17 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 308 m to 862 m (summit 918 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 26%, from 0.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 31% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Pont Wern-gof / Gwern Gof Uchaf approach |
| Start grid reference | SH 673 605 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 664 593 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
South 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
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Gwern Gof Uchaf Campsite0.1 km
- Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite & Bunkhouses1.4 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
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.
South 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 | 460 m | +153 m | 15% | SH 670 597 |
| 2 km | 619 m | +158 m | 16% | SH 666 588 |
| 3 km | 765 m | +146 m | 15% | SH 662 590 |
| 3.5 km | 853 m | +88 m | 16% | SH 664 593 |
How long the South Ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 0m |
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 14:49 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:46 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m 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 the South Ridge: 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 Pont Wern-gof / Gwern Gof Uchaf approach
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen up Carnedd Dafydd
- East Ridge via Ffynnon Lloer and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Glan Dena via Cwm Lloer up Pen yr Ole Wen
Other routes up Tryfan
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen | 1.3 km one way | 620 m | 1h 20m | Scramble |
| Heather Terrace and South Ridge | 3.9 km one way | 730 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 673 605, 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.
South Ridge: questions and answers
How far is the South Ridge?
The South Ridge is 3.5 km one way to the summit of Tryfan, with 620 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.0 km.
How long does the South Ridge take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Tryfan and 2h 25m 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 0m for the round trip.
How steep is the South Ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 26%, starting 0.4 km from the start, and 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The South Ridge climbs 562 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the South Ridge?
The South Ridge starts from Pont Wern-gof / Gwern Gof Uchaf approach. The grid reference is SH 673 605. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the South 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.
What time should I start the South Ridge today?
By 14:49 at the latest. Sunset on Tryfan today is 18:14, The South Ridge takes about 2h 25m 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 South 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.