The Llyn Ogwen circuit is a lakeside walk of 2.9 miles that stays on the valley floor and takes 1 to 2 hours.
A mountain walk leaves the valley for Tryfan, Glyder Fawr or the Carneddau, and needs a route chosen first.
For a first visit, walk the Llyn Ogwen circuit or go into Cwm Idwal. Both start from the same corner of the valley.
Parking, prices and bus details below were checked on 15 October 2026. Check them again before you travel.
Which Ogwen walk suits your day
| Walk | Length and time | Seriousness |
|---|---|---|
| Llyn Ogwen circuit | 2.9 miles, 1 to 2 hours | Moderate, boulders and boggy ground |
| Cwm Idwal | 5 km (about 3.1 miles), 2 hours | Moderate, some steep paths |
| Tryfan | Depends on route | Scrambling terrain |
| Glyder Fawr | Depends on route | Mountain terrain |
| The Carneddau | Depends on route | Mountain terrain |
| Y Garn | Depends on route | Mountain terrain |
The two valley circuits have fixed route lengths here. For the mountains, choose a specific route before estimating your day.
Starting from Ogwen Cottage
The National Trust, a conservation charity, owns Ogwen Cottage and starts its Llyn Ogwen circular walk there, beside its ranger base.
The Eryri National Park Authority, which runs the Ogwen Centre car park, says the Trust bought the cottage in 2014. The Glyderau and Carneddau wardens are based there.
Treat the cottage as a ranger base and a meeting point. Do not count on facilities inside it.
The Park says the Ogwen Centre offers drinks, snacks and toilets. Carry your own water and food anyway.
The lakeside circuit
The Trust gives the Llyn Ogwen circuit as 2.9 miles (4.64 km), taking 1 to 2 hours, and grades it moderate.
It is not a flat lakeside stroll. You clamber over large boulders at the start, and the first half can be very wet and boggy, especially in winter.
The path near the river is easy to lose, and waymarkers are occasional. The Trust advises you to keep heading for the lake.
The second half is the A5 pavement. You turn right on the main road at the end of the farm track and follow the pavement along the shore back to Ogwen Cottage.
Dogs are welcome but must stay on a lead at all times.
Cwm Idwal
The Park lists the Cwm Idwal walk as a moderate circular route of 5 km (about 3.1 miles), taking 2 hours, with 140 m of ascent.
Its page describes a steep route towards Twll Du (Devil’s Kitchen) over loose rock and boulders. It also describes a shorter, less challenging path that avoids that climb.
Check the route PDF on the Park’s page to see which version you are following before you set off.
The Park says Cwm Idwal was the first National Nature Reserve in Wales. It is a glacial valley that still holds rare arctic-alpine plants.
Walking boots and waterproof layers are essential, according to the Park.
The trailhead is a minute’s walk from the Llyn Ogwen bus stop.
The mountain walks
The Park says the valley is a base for both the Carneddau and the Glyderau.
- Scrambling: Ordnance Survey, Britain’s national mapping agency, describes Tryfan as a mountain with a scramble and many climbing routes. Decide whether you want scrambling before you choose it.
- A named Glyders circuit: Ordnance Survey’s Llyn Idwal and the Glyders route passes Llyn y Cwn and crosses Glyder Fach. It says the route can be done in a day in summer. That is one circuit, not the whole of Glyder Fawr.
- A Carneddau route: the Carneddau are the second range the Park names. Pick a specific route there too.
- Y Garn: another summit choice from the valley.
Plan the route, terrain, weather and daylight before you pick a mountain.
We compile and explain public route and safety information. We guide nobody and sell nothing on the hill.
Parking on the A5 and the bus
Parking in the valley is limited, and spaces fill quickly at busy times, according to the Park.
The Park runs a small car park at the Ogwen Centre:
- Daily rate: £6.00, expiring at midnight.
- Four hours: £3.00.
- Blue badge: 2 spaces.
- Payment: chip and pin or contactless only, no cash.
Double yellow lines mark restricted areas on parts of the A5. Parking is not allowed on them, including at the roadside and on the pavement there.
Park only in designated spaces.
If the valley car parks are full, park in Bethesda and take the bus.
The Park names Bethesda Football Club as the place to leave a car, at £7 a day. The gate is closed from 22:00 to 07:00.
Two bus services reach the valley. From Bangor, Bethesda or Betws-y-Coed, take the TrawsCymru T10 to Ogwen. The Bws Ogwen is a nine-seat electric bus from Bethesda.
Parking is tight at other busy start points too, and parking in Snowdonia covers them.
Choosing the return bus and daylight
Pick the bus you will catch back before you pick the walk. Both timetables are linked from the Park’s Ogwen page.
Open the timetable for the day you travel and note the last bus home.
Then work backwards from it. Take off the walking time to the stop and a margin.
Write down that time and turn round at it, even if you have not reached the top.
