Tryfan

A guided walk via the South Ridge to the summit of Tryfan (917m)

Tryfan is often referred to as "the only mountain where you have to use your hands to get to the top". Whether this is true is open for debate - but it is certainly step and rocky! This walk combines exploration along a ledge to so some easy scrambling before arrival at the twin obelisks of Adam and Eve.


You start down in the Ogwen Valley by the side of Thomas Telford's London-Holyhead road (now the A5). Crossing the stone wall, we strike out across the hillside, weaving between boulders and heather. A secret path leads to a gully in the rock. By carefully climbing through here you can gain the Heather Terrace. Turning left to follow the contours of Tryfan's East face, we gradually gain height and sneak around the back of the mountain to it's South ridge. The terrain now changes from heather and scree to boulders and rocky ledges, all the way to the summit.
The summit pile isn't much bigger than a cricket pitch, and through gaps in the cloud you can often spy the valley below, all of the way to anglesey and the sea beyond. The twin obelisks of Adam and Eve sit in this lonely, mist-swirled place. Which one is the highest though?
The route down is back along the South ridge, and you'll be glad that you have an experienced leader with you as the boulders become a maze. Dropping down even further, a rocky staircase brings you to the shores of Llyn Bochlwyd, which is an almost exact match for Australia in shape! (Well, from some angles...). Picking your way down to the steep path to the plateau below, a couple of compass bearings see you safely across below Milestone Buttress and back to the start.

Walk Details

(all distances, heights and times are approximate)

Length: 5 miles (5km) - But it will feel further!
Ascent: 2090ft (639m)
Time: 3-5hours depending on pace
Difficulty Rating: 3/5
Price: From £50 per person
Dates: Available all year round, weather permitting. Contact our offices for details of our set dates.

Why choose a guided walk with Original Outdoors?

• Experienced, qualified Mountain Leaders with a passion for the outdoors
• Knowledge of local area, the mountain environment and ecology
• A qualified First Aider on hand
• Route finding and safety - The paths are indistinct and you could easily find yourself in difficult terrain if you took the wrong route