Nant Bochlwyd Waterfall – Llyn Bochlwyd (Bochlwyd Lake) loop from Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve

Hiking trails & Routes

Nant Bochlwyd Waterfall – Llyn Bochlwyd (Bochlwyd Lake) loop from Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve

Hard

4.8

(8)

123

hikers

Nant Bochlwyd Waterfall – Llyn Bochlwyd (Bochlwyd Lake) loop from Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve

03:41

6.87km

690m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 4.07 km for 137 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

206 m

Idwal River Waterfall

Highlight • Natural Monument

Straight ahead over the bridge is the path to Cwm Idwal, but take time to see the waterfall and rapids on the River Idwal. Very pretty.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.05 km

Nant Bochlwyd Waterfall

Highlight • Natural Monument

There is an amazing water fall on the llyn ogwen side of Tryfan

Tip by

1.32 km

In terms of reputation, Llyn Bochlwyd plays second fiddle to the larger and more famous Llyn Idwal to the west. However, Bochlwyd has its own majestic charm, nestled beneath Glyder Fach's mighty main cliff and Tryfan's west face.

The circuit of the ridges above the lake is one of the classic scrambling routes in the UK: the Bochlwyd Horseshoe. Taking in Tryfan's North and South Ridges, Glyder Fach's Bristly Ridge and the quieter Y Gribin, the route is an adventurous hiker's dream, rivalling the nearby Snowdon Horseshoe for sheer drama.

Tip by

2.24 km

Bwlch Tryfan (Tryfan Pass)

Highlight • Trail

Bwlch Tryfan is the pass between two of Wales' finest mountains: Tryfan and Glyder Fach. A number of trails meet here and the adventures it gives access to are wonderful.

The South Ridge scramble to Tryfan's airy summit begins here which, as an easy grade one scramble, is the easiest way up the mountain. Head south for Bristly Ridge, a much trickier grade one scramble that leads straight up to Glyder Fach's moonscape summit.

Tip by

2.98 km

Cantilever Stone

Highlight • Climb

Situated near the summit of Glyder Fach is the Cantilever Stone, a large rock which from the correct angle appears to be precariously balanced, making it a popular place for photographs.

Tip by

3.13 km

Glyder Fach summit and the Cantilever Stone

Highlight • Summit

Home to the impossibly-balanced, much-photographed Cantilever Stone, Glyder Fach is the highlight of the Glyders: a world of jumbled boulders and craggy outcrops, soaring sumptuously above Llyn Ogwen. For an epic Grade 1 outing, scramble up the rocky turrets of Bristly Ridge before descending the similarly awesome Y Gribin arête.

Tip by

3.41 km

Castell y Gwynt

Highlight • Natural Monument

Glyder Fach's Castell y Gwynt – the Castle of the Winds – is an astonishing jumble of angled rock that puts one in mind of the Iron Throne. With Snowdon forming the backdrop, it makes for a glorious photograph on a clear day, while keen scramblers will revel in the short clamber to the top. It is usually considered as a part of Glyder Fach rather than as a separate summit in itself.

Tip by

6.27 km

View of Tryfan

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here you have a great view of Tryfan, a mountain in the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia. It is part of the Glyderau Group and is one of the most recognisable peaks in Britain, with a classic pointed shape and rugged rocks. At 917.5 metres above sea level, it is the fifteenth highest mountain in Wales.
(Wikipedia)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.87 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.59 km

1.74 km

666 m

565 m

143 m

139 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.69 km

1.74 km

1.22 km

149 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 13 October

14°C

7°C

20 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 52.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 1, 2022,#5 Glyder Fach via Y Gribin grade 1 scramble (Conwy)

A mountaineering route!

Passing waterfalls, lakes and plateau you will arrive at a beautiful quartz sparkling ridge that offers some incredible grade 1 scrambling.

Just the right amount of exposure versus technical scrambling, short but sweet will see you arrive between 2 of Wales giants ~ The Glyderau.