Tryfan

Tryfan stands in Snowdonia, Wales, as a sharp, rugged peak in the Ogwen Valley. It belongs to the Glyderau group and is one of Britain’s most recognisable mountains because of its pointed shape. At 917.5 metres it is the fifteenth-highest mountain in Wales and was voted Britain’s favourite mountain by Trail magazine. Its height was recently confirmed by GPS survey, showing it is 2.4 metres higher than the figure accepted between the mid-1980s and 2010. The name Tryfan comes from Welsh words meaning ‘very high peak’. The mountain is also linked to Sir Bedivere of Arthurian legend, said to rest here.

The north ridge offers the easiest ascent, starting near the A5 road close to Idwal Cottage. A Grade 1 scramble leads directly up the ridge, though the upper sections become more difficult. About a third of the way up, a rock called The Cannon juts upward at 45 degrees and can be seen from the valley. The south ridge provides another route, linking Tryfan to Glyder Fach via Bristly Ridge and passing Llyn Bochlwyd in Cwm Bochlwyd. Milestone Buttress at the base is a popular climbing spot with routes such as the Direct Route, first climbed in 1910.

The summit is marked by the twin monoliths Siôn a Siân, two rocks about three metres high separated by 1.2 metres. Those who step between them are said to gain the Freedom of Tryfan, though the exposure is considerable. Two other boulders, Cain and Abel, appear on the skyline and can be mistaken for the summit rocks from a distance. The surrounding crags and ridges offer varied scrambles and climbs for different skill levels. Views from the top stretch across Snowdonia’s valleys and peaks.