Y Garn via Devils Kitchen Hike Guide | Snowdonia National Park

1 Nov

If you’re looking for a relatively short hike up to one of the higher peaks in Snowdonia National Park, then Y Garn is the summit for you.

Y Garn is a summit which boasts incredible panoramic views across Snowdonia, which you could easily argue are some of the best in the National Park.

I love this hike, mostly because of the hike to views to hike ratio.

Depending on your fitness levels, you can reach the summit in 60-90 minutes if you head up it’s north face rather than the devils kitchen.

Because it has epic views back down the Ogwen valley and over Nant Peris it also makes a great a great spot to watch both the sunset or sunrise from.

Y Garn via Devils Kitchen Hike Guide | Snowdonia National Park — The Ogwen valley from the summit of Y Garn

Key Information

Hike Distance: 4.5 miles / 7km
Hike Duration: 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain: 670m
Hike Difficulty: Hard
Parking: Ogwen Partnership Centre
What Three Words of start point: ///destined.extensive.satellite
OS Maps Route

Where to park

Paid parking is available next to the Ogwen partnership centre at the western end of Llyn Ogwen. If this car park is full there is additional free parking on the side of the A5 next to Llyn Ogwen.

The Route

From the Ogwen Partnership centre, follow the path southwards for 1km up to to the northern shoreline of Llyn Idwal.

A spectacular product of glaciation, Llyn Idwal is a stunning mountain lake situated just above the Ogwen valley.

The lake sits beneath the high craggy amphitheatre of Cwm Idwal, and is surrounded on three sides by the mountains of the Glyderau which loom ominously above.

Once at the shoreline you can follow the path around either side of the lake towards Devils Kitchen which sits at the southern end of its shoreline.

Devils Kitchen from the shore of Llyn Idwal

The devils Kitchen is a steep and rocky climb which does have element of scrambling involved.

This scrambling isn’t at all technical or too difficult and usually is a case of using your hands to help pull yourself up and over some of the larger sections of rock and boulders which you’ll find towards the top of the route.

Once at the top you will pass over a wooden stile and be treated to magnificent views back over Cwm Idwal nature reserve and towards Pen yr Ole Wen.

Once at the top of Devils Kitchen, continue onwards to a small lake before turning right and tackling final steep climb to the summit of Y Garn.

Glaringly obvious the steep scree path cuts an almost straight line up the south eastern face of Y Garn.

I would recommend taking a slight detour off the more direct route and heading right towards the ridgeline which looks over the Ogwen valley.

This will break up the monotony of the energy sapping climb and at least provide some visual pleasure to help with the final push to the summit

Y Garn sits at 947m and is the 10th highest peak in Wales.

Its prominent summit is marked by a small circle of stones which can provide a welcome shelter from any wind which may be hitting the peak.

its location, which is central within the Glyderau range and sandwiched between the Carneddau and Snowdon, combined with its prominence means that you are treated to sensational views no matter what direction you look in .

Looking northwards you have the view over Ogwen Valley and Pen-yr Ole wen.

Swinging east your gaze will pass over Tryfan, Glyder Fach, and Gylder Fawr before reaching the Snowdon Massif in the south west.

Continuing westward you will have the mountains layers of western Snowdonia with the backdrop of the Llyn Peninsula.

Looking north west you will be able to see over Llyn Padarn towards Anglesey and to Elidir Fawr.

Once you have taken in the magical summit views you can follow the trail down the north eastern slope of Y Garn back down past Llyn Clyd back down towards the shores of Llyn Idwal and onto the Partnership centre.

This direct route is 2.6km in length and although steep in places isn’t too exposed or technical.