Y Garn is the underrated summit of the Glyderau, its fine pyramidal form above Llyn Idwal often overlooked by walkers rushing past to Glyder Fawr. It rewards closer attention: the view from its summit down into Cwm Idwal — with the dark lake far below, the Devil's Kitchen visible on the far wall, and the Carneddau stretching north — is one of the finest in Eryri. This is Experience #7 of the Snowdonia 100.
Route Details
| Start | Ogwen, Llyn Ogwen car park |
| Route | North ridge above Llyn Idwal |
| Distance | 7km return |
| Ascent | 700m |
| Time | 3.5–4.5 hours |
The most direct approach climbs the north ridge from Llyn Idwal, a steep but straightforward ascent on good paths. The summit itself has a small cairn and a view that extends across to Tryfan and the full Glyderau ridge. On a clear day the Carneddau plateau stretches north, with wild ponies visible on the upper slopes. Y Garn is often combined with Glyder Fawr for a full Glyderau traverse — a long but very rewarding day.
The Llyn Idwal View
Looking back down from Y Garn's summit to Llyn Idwal is to understand the geometry of this landscape: the classic cwm form, the bowl of rock carved by a glacier that retreated 10,000 years ago, the lake sitting in its floor at 365 metres, the cliffs rising on three sides. Darwin visited this valley and recognised its glacial origin decades before the theory was widely accepted.
Experience #7 of 100 — Summits category.
Independently written — Snowdon.com