Ogwen via Llyn Clyd up Y Garn (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
947 m · Snowdonia
Y Garn is a pointed Glyderau summit above Llyn Idwal, with a classic view down to the Ogwen valley and Tryfan.
A path towards Llyn Idwal, then up the steep north-east ridge past Llyn Clyd.
Ogwen via Llyn Clyd at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 741 m |
| Time up | 2h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Ogwen Cottage car park |
| Start grid reference | SH 660 604 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 630 595 |
Ogwen via Llyn Clyd map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Ogwen Tea Bar1.1 km
- Public toilets1.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Gwern Gof Uchaf Campsite1.2 km
- YHA Idwal1.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ogwen via Llyn Clyd takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 40m |
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 14:14 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:12 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Y Garn 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 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 -2°C, summit wind 43 mph gusting 54 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for Ogwen via Llyn Clyd: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 1% (Low), best around 06:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Y Garn forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Y Garn?
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 Y Garn
Y Garn is a pointed Glyderau summit above Llyn Idwal, with a classic view down to the Ogwen valley and Tryfan. More about Y Garn, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Foel-goch (831 m), 1.7 km north
- Glyder Fawr (1,001 m), 2 km south-east
- Mynydd Perfedd (813 m), 2.4 km north
- Elidir Fawr (924 m), 2.6 km north-west
- Castell y Gwynt (972 m), 2.7 km south-east
- Glyder Fach (994 m), 2.9 km south-east
Challenges that include Y Garn
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- 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 car park
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
- North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen up Tryfan
Other routes up Y Garn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East Ridge | 2.6 km one way | 640 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
| Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du | 4.3 km one way | 670 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
| Llwybr y Carw / Afon Las | 3.6 km one way | 800 m | 2h 5m | Hard |
| Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch | 7.5 km one way | — | — | Hard |
| Marchlyn via Elidir Fawr and Mynydd Perfedd | 7.6 km one way | 870 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 660 604, the summit at SH 630 595), 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.
Ogwen via Llyn Clyd: questions and answers
How far is Ogwen via Llyn Clyd?
Ogwen via Llyn Clyd is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Y Garn, with 741 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does Ogwen via Llyn Clyd take?
About 2h 5m to the summit of Y Garn and 3h 0m 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 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ogwen via Llyn Clyd?
Ogwen via Llyn Clyd starts from Ogwen Cottage car park. The grid reference is SH 660 604.
Is Ogwen via Llyn Clyd suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
What time should I start Ogwen via Llyn Clyd today?
By 14:14 at the latest. Sunset on Y Garn today is 18:14, Ogwen via Llyn Clyd takes about 3h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ogwen via Llyn Clyd?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).