If you are a hiker, love a bit of scrambling, and love the mountains, then this is definitely one for you! This is one my favourite all-time walks! It’s such a fun hike from start to end, with incredible views along the way.
Y Garn, located in the Ogwen Valley, is one of the Welsh 3000s and part of the Glyderau. The summit sits at 947 m (3,107 ft) above sea level, and on clear the views are incredible!
The walk is just over 7-miles long on well-marked paths. It is classed as a challenging walk, and mountain experience is a must. The walk-up Devil’s Kitchen contains a little bit of scrambling. The path coming off the summit is fairly steep to start with, along loose rocks, with a drop to one side. It’s only a small section and once you’ve got past that section, it’s a lovely ridge walk down back into the valley.
If you are planning on doing the walk, please make sure you are prepared for all-mountain weather. You are very exposed along the trail to all-mountain conditions. The correct outdoor clothing, footwear, and gear are a must. Also please make sure you have a map on you, and you know to read it. Visibility can be poor at the summit, making navigation more challenging.
Location
Y Garn is located in the Ogwen Valley, in Snowdonia National Park. The nearest town is Bangor, just 11-miles away.
Parking
There are a few different parking spots you park in. The main one is at the Ogwen Visitor Centre. If the car park is full, you can also park in one of the car parks along the edge of Llyn Idwal.
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, you shouldn’t get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
1.
Starting at the Ogwen Visitor Centre, take the footpath going off to the left-hand side of the cafe, and follow it across the river. Shortly, you will see a path going off to your left-hand side. Ignore that path, and stay on your path as it bends round to your right-hand side. Continue along the path to Llyn Idwal.
2.
At Llyn Idwal, take the path going off to your left-hand side and follow around the edge of the lake. Stay on the path as it starts to head up the mountainside, passing a path going off to your right-hand side. This is the start of the Devil’s Kitchen.
3.
Follow the path as it winds up Devils’s Kitchen. You may have to scramble your way up some of the bigger rocks. As you reach the top, the path will start to flatten out. Follow it towards Llyn y Cwn.
4.
At Llyn y Cwn, take the path going off to your right-hand side, leading you up to the summit of Y Garn. Follow the path up to the summit, crossing a stile along the way.
5.
Once you snapped all the photos you want, spent a minute taking in the incredible views, start to make your way down. Heading in the opposite direction you’ve climbed up, head north of the summit. Very shortly you should see a path going off to your right.
6.
Take the path going off to your right. Take care as it is steep and rocky to start with. However, it soon levels out. Follow the path along the ridge as it slowly makes its way down to Llyn Idwal.
7.
As you reach Llyn Idwal, take the footpath going off to your left-hand side. Follow it around the lake to rejoin the path from earlier on in the route. Take the footpath going off to your left-hand side, travelling away from Llyn Idwal. Follow the footpath back to Ogwen Visitor Centre, where you started the walk from.
Enjoyed this walk and would like to do another walk in the Snowdonia National Park, please check out some of my other walk guides:
For more information about the Snowdonia National Park, where to stay and eat, please check out their website:
https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/
https://www.snowdonia.gov.wales/visiting
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