Route Review: Tryfan North Ridge - Grade One Scramble

OS Champion Alex Jackson recently put a route from our Eryri Circular Walks Pathfinder Guide to the test. Alex followed our guide up the North Ridge of Tryfan in the Glyderau Mountain Range, Eryri (Snowdonia). Take a look at his fantastic pics and his advice for taking on this impressive grade 1 scramble.

Eryri (Snowdonia) Outstanding Circular Walks – Walk 15, Tryfan North Ridge

Tryfan summit - adam and eve — Alex looking happy with our Eryri Guidebook in front of Adam and Eve on the summit of Tryfan.

Start – Ogwen valley
Height gain – 1,755 feet (535m)
Route terrain – Rock and rocky paths throughout
Parking – Along A5, shore of Llyn Ogwen
OS maps – Explorer OL17 Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa

Is Tryfan North Ridge Difficult?

Heading up Tryfan is not for the faint-hearted. You should be a confident scrambler before you try this route. There are multiple sections of steep ground where a fall could be damaging. That said it is one of the finest scrambles in Eryri. So if you have the right skills and conditions then go for it!

Be Prepared!

When heading up Tryfan’s North Ridge, preparation is key. You need to wear the correct footwear and clothing for the conditions. Check weather reports for ice, which will require winter skills experience. There could be ice on this route as late on as Apri. It’s North facing so remember even if it’s a beautiful sunny day if you start early you will be in shade, so ensure you have warm layers and gloves.

Tryfan North Ridge - start point — The gate at the start of the route

I’ve been up Tryfan this way 3-4 times and I don’t think I’ve gone the same way. Picking your own route makes the scramble exciting and fun.

Tryfan North Ridge - book cover — Looking at Pen Yr Ole Wen with the Pathfinder Guide to Eryri Circular Walks

The views from Tryfan offer amazing views of the surroundings of Dyffryn Ogwen (Ogwen Valley)

The challenge on this route up Tryfan’s North Ridge is the scrambling and sometimes even climbing.

Navigating through GPS up the North Ridge is something you can’t really do. I always try to stay central to the rock face. Sometimes I head up to look out for a path. Other times, I familiarise myself with the surroundings to then head another way.

Once you get to the top of Tryfan you’re facing Adam and Eve. If you’re feeling brave enough, you can hop up on top. You could even jump between them. I’m not that brave though!

Tryfan North Ridge - os flask — On the top with a fabulous view of Yr Wyddfa in the background and a limited edition OS flask!

You get amazing views from the Glyderau, to Y Garn and the rest of the Dyffryn Ogwen (Ogwen Valley). Tryfan is one of my favourite mountains to climb. Every time I’ve done it, I’ve bumped into someone and completed the whole route with them.

The guidebook definitely helped my ascent of Tryfan. From the start it clearly describes the route you need to take. When you’re there, it’s very easy to visualize.

Tryfan North Ridge - cannon stone — Alex with the famous Cannon Stone in the background

The Pathfinder route will guide you up the mountain, describing “famous” rock features like the Cannon stone.

Each waypoint on the route has tips with great advice to stay safe on the mountain. A map alone can’t provide this. This added information helped me enjoy the route even more. All the thinking has been done for me. All I have to do is turn up and enjoy the scrambling.