Gallt Yr Ogof, Snowdonia
This gentle and straightforward route opposite Tryfan doubles as an exercise in peak admiring, rather than just peak bagging...
Awalk for the lover of Tryfan that doesn’t actually visit it. Seem strange? Well, to get to know a mountain, I like to visit it at different times of the year, and walk (scramble!) different routes and see it in different lights. Even just looking at it from a different angle can help you notice things you’ve never seen, and give you a push to try something new.
You might spend a fair amount of this walk gazing over at and falling in love with Tryfan all over again as it looms in and out of view, as if it were playing hide and seek. Aside from drooling over Tryfan, the route itself is a lovely, mellow mountain walk, heading up the broad ridge of Braich y Ddeugwm to Llyn Caseg-fraith for some photos. From there, it’s over Y Foel Goch to Gallt yr Ogof, where we can explore the northern ridge before a gentle (but very wet!) descent across Cefn y Capel. Gaiters and boots come highly recommended for this route…
SH685602 Park in the car park at the campsite and drop your £2 in the box (or just stay there!). To the right of the main building is a stile. Nip over it and start out uphill south-west just to the left of the little crag. Be careful if you stick to the ridge, as there are steep cliffs to the right. Cross the fence at the stile and follow it rightwards to regain the ridge. There is not much of a path on the ground, initially, but it soon becomes more obvious as you climb. The ground to the right of the ridge becomes very steep near the top but the path is also easy to follow.
SH672586 Near the top you graze to the right of the crest of the ridge, avoiding a small rocky barrier. Stay on the path until it brings you out near the lake. The path is a bit sloppy and awkward in one or two places, so take care in the wet. Aim for the right-hand side of the lake, Llyn Caseg -fraith. Classic photo location for Tryfan.
SH669583 From the Llyn, head east towards Y Foel Goch, not to be confused with the other one at the other end of the Glyderau! (I use this as a good example of the importance of knowing how to provide a grid reference if things ever go wrong). You might get a taste of what is to come, as you pass a small pool between Foel Goch and Gallt yr Ogof. Cross on its left, avoiding the bog and take that path to the summit.
SH685585 From Gallt yr Ogof summit, a little out-andback is possible down the northern ridge line for some views. Have a little nose around and enjoy the quiet. There is a cave marked on the map. Ignore it. It’s in a steep location and isn’t worth
the danger.
SH689592 Return to the summit and descend south-east through some awkward ground, to where an old wall meets a fence and steers you in-between. Follow the path down and over a final wall before reaching Bwlch y Goleuni and the dreaded bog-fest. Try to avoid it as best you can before giving up and accepting your fate. After an eternity of bog hopping, you’ll reach the toe of the ridge. There are a few options, and they’re all a bit wet and slippy and punctuated with rocky outcrops. Take it easy and aim east, towards
Capel.
I started rightwards initially. Then crossed left, through a reed-filled gully feature. We then picked our way in a leftward trend towards the farm house. Just take your time and follow the obvious signs of use.
SH719585 When you reach the
farmhouse, turn left near the ruin and join the rough track that heads north then west back into Ogwen (you could always do an out-and-back to the Bryn Tyrch Inn first, for a quick one!). The route here is basically just walking down the old road and back to the campsite, so just switch off and enjoy the views.