Y Garn trail head.
End of farm road towards Y Garn.
Start of south ridge towards Y Garn.
| Y Garn from Ty'n-y-coed Y Garn |
| Estimated net time | 2½-3 hours | ||
| Difficulty | No technical difficulties except for some easy scrambling across the stone fence along the south ridge. | ||
| Drinking water | No stable access to running water. | ||
| GSM coverage | Coverage throughout the route (December 2013). | ||
| Parking | Room for 2-3 cars at trail head. | ||
| Start height | 125 metres | ||
| Vertical metres | 610 metres for the roundtrip. | ||
| Trip distance | 8.3 km | ||
| GPS-file | X | ||
| Map |
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| Route photo |
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From road A470 approximately 2.7 km (1.7 mi) north-west of Dolgellau turn left onto A496, in the direction of Abermaw. Drive 2.9 km (1.8 mi) and turn right onto a narrow road. There's a sign saying "Taicynhaeaf" at the start of this road. Drive 1.3 km (0.8 mi) uphill and park on the right hand side of the road, on a grassy area large enough for 2-3 cars.
Start your hike by continuing 110 metres along the road, where you'll find a gate and a sign for a foot-path. Pass the gate (you're likely to have to climb across it), turn right, and then cross the next gate after 30 metres. Turn a little left and head 140 metres uphill to where you meet a grassy farm road. Turn right and follow this road 100 metres to a more proper farm road. Turn left onto this road and follow it 550 metres to where the farm road makes a 90° left turn (another road continues straight ahead). Continue 200 metres up to the upper farm building, through some zigzags, and turn right immediately after having crossed a gate (turn right before the stile). Walk 320 metres directly north, across grass fields, until you get to a gate. Pass the gate and continue another 330 metres on a path, until the path is joined by another path coming in from left. Make sure you cross the other path and head uphill (not further into the valley). After 460 metres you should leave the main path and follow a vague path towards the south ridge. Stay on the left hand side of the stone fence until another stone fence is blocking your way at approximately 490 metres. Climb across this stone fence and continue 700 metres north along the south ridge, on a very vague path, until you're on a small top (550 metres). From here head a little right (north-east) down into the saddle and continue on the left hand side of the top in front of you. Ascent this top from left (north-west), or alternatively scramble directly up from south. The summit is marked by a small pile of stones.
Descend by reversing your ascent route.
After pretty miserable conditions the day before I had hopes of better weather this Sunday, so was disappointed when I looked out of the window of my hotel in Bala I quickly concluded that I was facing another grey, windy and wet day. But I was still determined to go ahead with my planned two hikes, and set off south immediately after breakfast.
The whole hike above 400 metres was done with a minimum of visibility, but I had plenty of way-point loaded onto my GPS so didn't have any major issues in finding my way. But I ended up doing some de-tours in the lower section since the foot-path signs were a little confusing and probably not pointing towards a route to Y Garn. And when I got above 550 metres it was strong wind and generally very miserable conditions.
I was a little surprised to find the last hill below the summit to be serious scrambling terrain, which didn't tempt me at all given the wet rock and strong wind, but I quickly found an OK route up the north-west slopes, which took me nicely to the summit.