Y Garn & Carnedd y Filiast Ogwen Cottage
Snowdonia/Eryri Walk
Nat Park - Snowdonia - Glyders Tryfan
County/Area - Gwynedd
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 8.5 miles / 13.8 km Ascent - 3300 feet / 1000 metres
Time - 7 hours 30 minutes Grade - hard
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL17 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer OL17 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 115 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 115 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
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An ascent of Y Garn by itself is a rewarding experience but combined with a high level route, which overlooks Nant Francon, it becomes a high quality walk. This Snowdonia (Eryri) walk does involve a rough descent and is not for walkers who prefer clear paths. You could, of course, retrace your steps and convert the route to an out and back walk. The start is at Ogwen Cottage on the A5 Bangor to Capel Curig road (grid ref. SH649603) where there is a small car park and refreshment kiosk.
Take the signed footpath to Llyn Idwal, which initially sets off in a south-easterly direction but soon turns south-west. The path has recently been improved and you soon reach the footbridge over the outlet from Llyn Idwal. Situated in a superb Cwm this lake is one of the "gems" of Snowdonia (Eryri). Cross the footbridge and follow the northern shore of the lake. Leave the shore path and take the obvious route heading almost due west to begin the ascent of Y Garn.
The climb to the summit of Y Garn is described in greater detail in Walk 1186 which would offer a viable alternative if you were short of time or if the weather deteriorated. Assuming you have reached Y Garn's airy summit, you need to descend north keeping to the edge of the crags, which are on your right hand side. The going is easy and on reaching a col you start the ascend once more to reach Foel-goch, which is also blessed with a superb summit with crags dropping steeply to the floor of nant Francon.
Another descent and ascent northwards bring you to Mynydd Prefedd. This is a less dramatic summit but it offers great views especially to Elidir Fawr. The final section of the high level route includes a section along the edge of the amazing "Atlantic Slab", which is a steeply inclined rock face.
On reaching the final summit, Carnedd y Filiast, you have completed the high level section. The descent into the valley is rough and largely without a path. Care needs to be exercised that you locate the route and it is suggested you leave the cairn on a bearing of 75 degrees. At first the going is quite easy but as you descend the going gets rougher especially when the vegetation is high. The OS map shows a sheepfold (grid ref. 626634) and this provides a useful point to aim for. From here you descend over rough ground to reach the road (grid ref. 630637) just to the north of Tai-newyddion.
All that remains is a pleasant section of ro along the valley with an excellent view ahead especially as you get nearer to Ogwen Cottage. Passing Blaen-y-nant on your left you are rewarded with a superb view with the falls in valley and the high mountains providing a magnificent backdrop.
Other walks nearby
Walk 2650 | Tryfan, the Glyders & Y Garn | very hard | 8.0 miles |
Walk 2820 | Carneddau traverse from Llyn Ogwen | mod/hard | 14.0 miles |
Walk 1150 | The High Carneddau | hard | 10.0 miles |
Walk 1215 | Tryfan & Llyn Ogwen from Ogwen Valley | mod/hard | 5.5 miles |
Walk 3001 | Tryfan North Ridge from Ogwen Valley | hard | 3.5 miles |
Walk 3026 | Tryfan & the Eastern Tops from Ogwen Valley | hard | 5.8 miles |
Walk 1232 | Carnedd Llewelyn, Llyn Eigiau & Llyn Cowlyd | hard | 16.0 miles |
Walk 2855 | Gallt yr Ogof & Braich y Ddeugwm | moderate | 4.0 miles |
Walk 3056 | Pen yr Helgi Du from Ogwen Valley | moderate | 5.5 miles |
Walk 1074 | The Glyders Traverse | very hard | 12.0 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Snowdonia: 30 Low-level and easy walks - South
Guidebook describing 30 walks in Snowdonia, Wales. Routes are mostly low level and on clear paths and showcase the region's beautiful scenery and rich history and culture. Part of a 2-volume set, this southern volume includes Trawsfynydd, Bala, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, the Harlech Coast and the valleys of the Mawddach and Dyfi.
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The Cambrian Way
Guidebook to the Cambrian Way, a challenging three-week mountain trek through Wales from Cardiff to Conwy. The 470km un-waymarked route is presented from south to north. Often sticking to long, beautiful ridgelines, it crosses wild and rugged terrain and visits many of Wales's highest mountains, including Snowdon.
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Mountain Weather
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