At a glance
Wales's finest Grade 1 scramble at 917 m — the North Ridge gives sustained hand-and-foot climbing with real exposure throughout. Not a walk. Only attempt with scrambling experience, a head for heights and proper mountain kit.
About Tryfan
Tryfan is the most instantly recognisable mountain in North Wales — its three rocky summits rising in a distinctive spiky silhouette above the A5 in the Ogwen Valley are unmistakeable. At 917 m it is the only mountain in England and Wales where it is impossible to reach the summit without using your hands. Every route involves sustained Grade 1 scrambling, making it a uniquely demanding and rewarding objective.
The mountain is part of the Glyderau group and sits directly above the A5 Llanberis–Bethesda road at the head of Nant Ffrancon. This exceptional roadside access makes it one of the most frequently climbed mountains in Wales despite its technical demands. The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) attends multiple incidents on Tryfan every year — evidence both of its popularity and its unforgiving nature.
The summit is marked by two upright boulders — Adam and Eve — between which the traditional "leap" is performed by those wishing to claim the Freedom of Tryfan. The drops on either side make this considerably more serious than the 1-metre gap suggests. The summit offers extraordinary views across to Snowdon, down the length of Nant Ffrancon to the sea, and east to the Carneddau range.
The North Ridge route
Approach and start
Park at the Ogwen Valley car park or roadside layby on the A5 (LL57 3LZ). Cross the ladder stile beside the A5 and follow the well-worn path directly uphill to the base of the North Ridge. The first section involves steep grass and boulders before the scrambling proper begins at around 600 m.
The scramble
The North Ridge gives about 300 m of sustained Grade 1 scrambling — mostly on excellent rough rhyolite with good holds. Key landmarks include the Cannon Stone (a projecting rock at about 750 m), the Adam and Eve boulders at the summit (917 m), and Notch on the south ridge for descent. Keep to the crest of the ridge for the best rock and clearest route.
Descent
Either return down the North Ridge or continue south across Bwlch Tryfan (the col between Tryfan and the Glyderau) and return to Ogwen via the Miners' Track path below Llyn Bochlwyd — a more varied circuit taking 1.5–2 hours more.
Safety information
This is a Grade 1 scramble — not a walk. Sustained exposure on a knife-edge ridge with significant drops on both sides. People die here every year, including in summer. Only attempt in good weather with experience of scrambling, a head for heights, and proper kit.
Kit: walking boots with grip, helmet recommended, waterproofs, warm layer, hat & gloves, OS Explorer OL17 (Snowdonia), 1.5 L water, charged phone, head torch. Check the weather at mwis.org.uk on the morning. In an emergency call 999, ask for Police / Mountain Rescue, give your what3words location. Local team: Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO).
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Tryfan by the North Ridge is a Grade 1 scramble — not a walk. You will need to use your hands throughout, and the exposure (drops beside the route) is real and sustained. There is no route up Tryfan that avoids the scrambling. Do not attempt it if you are uncomfortable using your hands on rock or have a significant fear of heights.
The North Ridge is Grade 1 — the easiest scrambling grade — but it is long and continuously exposed. Grade 1 means hand-and-foot climbing on good rock with clear holds, but with significant drops beside the route. The overall ridge takes 3–4 hours and requires confidence, appropriate footwear and a good head for heights.
Adam and Eve are two large upright boulders on the summit of Tryfan. The traditional test of a true Tryfan summit is to leap from one to the other — a gap of about 1 metre, at 917 m with steep drops on all sides. It is entirely optional. Multiple people have been injured attempting it. There is no shame in standing between them for a photo instead.
Technically dogs are permitted, but Tryfan via the North Ridge is not recommended for dogs. The scrambling sections require use of both hands and it is not practical to carry or assist a dog on the exposed sections. Several incidents involving dogs have occurred on the North Ridge. If your dog is comfortable scrambling independently on steep rock and you have climbed Tryfan before, assess section by section on the day.
The North Ridge return from the Ogwen car park takes 4–6 hours depending on fitness and how long you spend on the scrambling sections. The ascent via the North Ridge takes 2–3 hours; descent via the south ridge to Bwlch Tryfan then back to Ogwen is the standard circuit, adding about 1.5–2 hours.
The North Ridge from the A5 Ogwen Valley car park is the classic and most-used route — park at the layby or Ogwen car park (LL57 3LZ), cross the stile and follow the well-worn path directly up the rocky north face. The route is clearly eroded and easy to follow in good visibility. Descend the same way or continue south to Bwlch Tryfan for a circuit via Bristly Ridge onto the Glyderau.