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Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path from Pen y Gwryd

By Dave Roberts   

on January 25, 2018    5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Snowdonia National Park, The Glyderau, Wales

Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path from Pen y Gwryd

Route Essentials

Route Summary

Less frequented ascent up into the Glyderau.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

4.04 km

Ascent

700 m

Time

4 - 5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Pen y Gwryd.

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

Navigation on some sections as path can be difficult to follow in mist.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path from Pen y Gwryd Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

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Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path from Pen y Gwryd

The walk up Glyder Fach from Pen y Gwryd via the Miner’s Track makes for a different ascent of the Glyderau. It’s a steadier climb than those from Nant Peris and Pen y Pass, and not as rough and scrambly as those from Ogwen. Though that’s arguably their appeal.

Glyder Fach via the Miner’s Path from Pen y Gwryd Route Description

1 The Miner’s Path starts past the Pen y Gwryd Hotel towards Capel Curig. Cross the stile and head roughly north to cross a footbridge. The path veers right across what can be rather wet ground as it ascends gently.

2 You reach a wall at around the 400m contour, after which the Miners’ Path steepens for the ascent to Llyn Caseg Fraith. The path is largely easy to follow, until it tops out. It can then be rather faint across the moorland and difficult to follow in mist. You’ll be easier continuing to the junction between the two paths slightly to the north shown on the route given as this path is easier to find than cutting the corner.

Glyder Fach via the Miner's Path from Pen y Gwryd

3 Enjoy the views towards Tryfan, perhaps wander towards Llyn y Caseg Fraith for a classic Tryfan photo opportunity. Once you’ve done so, take the well trod path left up Glyder Fach.

4 The path is straightforward to follow in the main, but does leave you scratching your head at a couple of points as the path vanishes into boulder terrain. The best advice is to keep right, as venturing left will take you away from the path for certain.

Glyder Fach via the Miner's Path from Pen y Gwryd

5 Finally, you’ll know you’re at the summit plateau of Glyder Fach as you spot the Cantilever (the ground also levels out!).  If you arrive at the top of the Bristly Ridge, there’s a cairn, or you may emerge slightly closer to the Cantilever if you’ve found an ‘alternative’ route.

6 You’ll need to clamber the final section to the summit of Glyder Fach, which is essentially the largest cairn in Snowdonia.

To continue the walk – you can either descend the same way you came (for a description of the descent see point 7 onwards of Glyderau From Pen y Pass) or you can continue towards Castell y Gwynt, following the path left and around the base, to Bwlch y Ddwy Glyder. Cross the plateau to Glyder Fawr and take the scree path down to Llyn y Cwn  – this route via the Devil’s Kitchen to Ogwen is detailed in this walk and the descent to Nant Peris via Llwybr y Carw is detailed here.

For more walks up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, visit our All the Walking Routes up Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach article.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Less frequented ascent up into the Glyderau.

This walk includes the Washi of Glyder Fach

This walk includes the Hewitt of Glyder Fach

This walk includes the Nuttall of Glyder Fach

Route Start Location: Pen y Gwryd.

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
4.04 km 700 m 4 - 5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Pub at Pen y Gwryd.

Hazards

Navigation on some sections as path can be difficult to follow in mist.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : LL55 4NT

Limited and paid for at Pen y Gwryd.

Public Transport:

Sherpa Buses.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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