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Y Garn to Glyder Fach loop — Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri | Snowdonia National Park

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Y Garn to Glyder Fach loop — Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri | Snowdonia National Park

Moderate

4.7

(130)

995

hikers

Y Garn to Glyder Fach loop — Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri | Snowdonia National Park

04:21

9.04km

850m

Hiking

Embark on the Y Garn to Glyder Fach loop for a challenging hike through Snowdonia National Park's dramatic terrain. This moderate route covers 5.6 miles (9.0 km) with a significant elevation gain of 2785 feet (849 metres), typically taking around 4 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You will navigate rocky paths, scree sections, and bouldery ascents, experiencing the

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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67 m

Idwal Gorge

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

A really quirky canyon taking you into or out of the car park at Cwm Idwal. It is a narrow steep sided little canyon which is very picturesque and only a short walk from the car park.

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2.59 km

Y Garn Summit

Highlight • Summit

Y Garn of the Glyderau is a mountain of two halves. On one side it drops in continuous green slopes to the pass of Llanberis. On its other it’s a scooped cluster of cliffs, ridges and buttresses, including the scrambling showpiece of Castell y Geifr, all the way to Llyn Idwal in Snowdonia’s most beautiful cwm.

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4.91 km

Glyder Fawr summit

Highlight • Summit

The summit of Glyder Fawr is magnificent. On a clear day you will see incredible views of Snowdon, Crib Goch and Garnedd Ugain. At 3,284 feet (1,001 m), it is the highest peak in the Glyderau range.

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5.84 km

Lake of the Dogs

Highlight • Natural

Take some time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere at this small mountain lake Llyn Y Cwn (Welsh for Lake of the Dogs). The peak of Y Garn rises to the north and Glyder Fawr looms to the south-east. You really are in the mountains here!

Translated by Google •

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6.26 km

Devil's Kitchen (Twll Du)

Highlight • Gorge

After the rest stop at Llyn Y Cwn we descend and pass the Devil's Kitchen (Twll Du) again. The descent is as strenuous as the climb. The path, as far as can be seen, is quite steep in places. Then it becomes a matter of paying attention, scrambling and searching for the next section of the path. This is not such an easy part of the route. You have to use your hands and feet to conquer the steepest parts.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.75 km

Devil's Kitchen (Twll Du)

Highlight • Natural Monument

Two paths lead from opposite sides of the lake to the top of the ridge near Twll Du (Devil's Kitchen). These paths become quite steep in places and have disappeared in a few places. Then it is a matter of paying attention, scrambling and searching for the next section of path. This is not an easy part of the route. You have to use your hands and feet to negotiate the steepest parts. A wall with a stepladder marks the top.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.41 km

Cwm Idwal

Highlight • Lake

A beautiful lake with stunning views to Tryfan and Pen Yr Ole Wen. There is a circular walk from the visitors centre which takes you around the lake or you can use this as a starting point for the mountains above.

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8.45 km

View of Tryfan

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here you have a great view of Tryfan, a mountain in the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia. It is part of the Glyderau Group and is one of the most recognisable peaks in Britain, with a classic pointed shape and rugged rocks. At 917.5 metres above sea level, it is the fifteenth highest mountain in Wales.
(Wikipedia)

Translated by Google •

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8.66 km

Idwal River Waterfall

Highlight • Natural Monument

Straight ahead over the bridge is the path to Cwm Idwal, but take time to see the waterfall and rapids on the River Idwal. Very pretty.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.81 km

Ogwen Visitor Centre and Snack Bar

Highlight • Parking

The visitor centre is located on the A5, approximately 5 miles south of Bethesda and approximately 4 miles west of Capel Curig, on the western side of Llyn Ogwen.
There are a number of facilities including toilets, disabled toilets, an information room, public wifi and a small kiosk selling hot and cold snacks.
From the visitor centre you can start a range of walks and climbs in the area. The most popular is the walk to Wales' first ever national nature reserve, the beautiful Cwm Idwal, a glacial lake with a mountainous backdrop.
(Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

9.04 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.27 km

2.80 km

2.55 km

370 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.33 km

1.47 km

1.28 km

1.03 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (970 m)

Lowest point (320 m)

Weather

Tuesday 14 July

26°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 27, 2022,Llyn Idwal – Stunning view of Tryfan Loop from Nant Peris

Solo adventure day 2... Llyn Idwal walk with amazing views across the Ogwen Valley. I was really lucky and had perfect weather with mostly blue skies and barely any wind... I know crazy right! You get great views of Crib Goch on a clear day. Would definitely recommend this walk has a nice little scramble down/up devils kitchen and you …

August 9, 2023,Llyn Idwal and stunning view from Y Garn - Rondje vanuit Nant Peris

Beautiful but also Challenging tour - first part is like bouldering. Descent rather steep.

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Y Garn to Glyder Fach loop — Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri | Snowdonia National Park

Idwal Gorge

Y Garn Summit

Glyder Fawr summit

Lake of the Dogs

Devil's Kitchen (Twll Du)

Devil's Kitchen (Twll Du)

Cwm Idwal

View of Tryfan

Idwal River Waterfall

Ogwen Visitor Centre and Snack Bar

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