Y Garn
Enjoy breathtaking views over the Snowdonia National Park on this challenging circular walk to the 947 m (3,107 ft) summit of Y Garn.
The walk starts at the car park at the western end of Llyn Ogwen and climbs to the wonderful natural amphitheatre of Cwm Idwal. In a Radio Times poll in 2005, Cwm Idwal was ranked the 7th greatest natural wonder in Britain. You pass along the beautiful clear waters of Llyn Idwal before climbing towards Pinnacle Crag. You continue to the summit with views Llyn Clyd and the Ogwen Valley. The route then descends towards the Devil's Kitchen and Cwm Idwal before returning to the car park.
If you'd like to continue your walking in the area then you could try the challenging Tryfan mountain.
If you continue north from the peak you can visit Foel-Goch, the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir and the summit of Elidir Fawr.
Postcode
LL24 0EU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsY Garn Ordnance Survey Map 
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Y Garn Open Street Map 
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Y Garn OS Map 
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Y Garn Open Street Map 
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Pubs/Cafes
The Ogwen Snack Bar is located at the western end of Llyn Ogwen and a good option for some post walk refreshments. It's open seven days per week for most of the year – opening only at weekends during the winter months. The popular snack bar can trace its history back to the early 1900’s when it was precariously perched on rocks at the head of the waterfall from which it takes its name. Known throughout the world it has its place in the mountaineering history in this part of Snowdonia and has been run by the same family since 1953. It moved to its current location over forty years ago to the newer premises incorporating Snowdonia National Park warden office and public toilets. It sells a range of drinks, snacks, pasties, paninis and locally baked cakes. There's an outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your food with fine views of the surrounding mountains. You can find the snack bar between Llyn Ogwen and Llyn Idwal at postcode of LL57 3LZ for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south west from the hill and you could try the Nantlle Ridge Walk. It's considered one of the finest ridge walks in Britain.
The Lon Las Ogwen cycle route starts/finishes at the western side of Llyn Ogwen. The off road trail will take you north to the coast at Bangor, passing the splendid Penrhyn Quarry at Bethesda and the stunning glacial valley of Nant Ffrancon on the way. It runs mostly along old railway paths and the River Ogwen before finishing on the coast. The route is also suitable for walkers.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Snowdonia Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Llyn y Cwn and Y Garn. Taken from the lower slopes of Glyder Fawr at the top of the Devil's Kitchen, the path from Llyn y Garn to the summit of Y Garn looks like an easy stroll. However, it takes rather longer than it appears.
Llyn y Garn and the summit
Drumlins Cwm Idwal. The mounds, left foreground, are called "Drumlins". They were formed from material deposited as the glacier retreated from the cwm at the end of the last ice age. The mountain in the background is Pen yr Ole Wen.
Llyn Idwal from below the Devil's Kitchen. The mountain filling the picture beyond Llyn Idwal is Pen yr Ole Wen which at 3,211 feet is one foot higher than Scafell Pike. The head of Llyn Ogwen can be seen to its right. The path round and above the east side of Llyn Idwal from where this photograph was taken, meets the path which can be seen coming up from the western side of the lake to then climb though the Devil's Kitchen and so reach the Glyders.
Zig-zag path, down to Llyn Idwal
The ridge back to Pinnacle Crag
Pen Yr Ole Wen. From the outflow of Llyn Idwal with Pen Yr Ole Wen across the valley beyond, largely blotted out by cloud.
River Ogwen near the car park at the start of the route.