North Ridge, Tryfan ^{Grade 1}

This route is the most popular in the Glyder range, and one of the finest low grade scrambles in Wales.

The large spiky crest of the mountain rises from the valley floor; and is visible for miles around.
When looking up at this impressive peak, it looks like a perilous knife edge, when in fact it is more of a rounded shoulder.None the less it offers great views and is always interesting.

Approach: along the A5; there is plentiful parking in laybys on either side of the road, alternitively carry on and park next to the Idwal Cottage YHA. Start next to the stone wall on a small track leading up towards Milestone buttress, it moves off left cutting through a boulder field and steep grassed terraces.

Once you have overcome this, and onto the ridge proper; you aquire brilliant views of the surrounding valleys.You can take any line left or right of the ridge; however to the left lies the prominent and much photographed rock feature the Cannon.

The next part of the sramble is the most exciting.Up ahead lies a pinnacle of rock that can be missed out by trending left, however it is most exciting to ascend the obstacle straight on. Once this is surmounted it leaves a descent into the notch, with gullys dropping away either side.

There is a gully straight ahead that leads out of the depression and onto boulders that lead to the main summit.This is recognisable by large twin stones: Adam and Eve. The true summit is gained by jumping from one onto the other, not for the fainhearted!!

The descent off of the continues down over the south peak and lies on the east side of the ridge. It cuts down the mountain as an easy path until reaching a col and a stone wall. You can go over the wall and trend eastwards until reaching the Heather terrace route, which follows the mountain across its East face.

Alternatively once at the col turn right and follow a steady path past Lyn Idwal and down to the youth hostel. Duration: In terms of time, It took us around 3 hours at a reasonable pace. Hazards: The rock is in places very polished, so great care should be taken strong winds and heavy rain, especially when on the upper pinnacles of the ridge.