Devil's Kitchen

[Steve18566]

Hi


Climbing from Lyn Idwal to the Devils Kitchen, is there exposure, how much, how long for?
How close to the edge and how big is the drop?


Sorry for so many questions

[Glyno]

no exposure to speak of, just a rocky, moderately steep track. The rocks can be a bit greasy when wet and need a bit of care.

[Owen]

It's a steep walk on a well made path, only a short section in the kitchen itself is exposed but it's just short zig-zags. 

[joester]

If you ascend from the path on the left hand side of the lake (as you approach from Ogwen), there's a bit where you have to step across a stream/cascade.  That can be interesting when it's rained a lot and it's in spate.  It's only a long stride, but you wouldn't want to lose your footing here.
The way up from there is steps made from boulders, you might need to put a hand on the rock every now and then, but that's it.

You can't walk up and out of the Kitchen itself, it's rock climbing.  The path goes up and around.

[gary m]

there is no exposure to talk about, i am not fussed of the walk as you have to clamber over rocks which can be slippery when wet

[Dyffryn Ardudwy]

The only real problems associated with the Devils Kitchen route, especially this time of the year, is ice.
The path itself, winding all the way up from the shores of LLyn Idwal, is very straight forward, with the minimal amount of very easy scrambling, there is little or no exposure to the elements, right to the shores of Llyn Y Cwn.
With the very small lake, Llyn Y Cwn residing on the plateau between Y Garn and Glyder Fawr, there is a constant water source flowing from the cliffs that make up the Devils Kitchen, and this water ensures that the upper reaches of the Kitchen path  are alway's damp.
The Devils Kitchen route is very straight forward, and should pose little difficulty for a keen walker, but in the real depths of winter, it can be a dangerous place due to ice.

From late March onwards, the Devils Kitchen route is a great alternative back to Ogwen from a traverse of the Glyders.


Also, because the route receives little in the way of direct sunlight near the entrance to the Kitchen, the temperature there, is alway's a bit cooler than down below, resulting in some amazing ice cliffs in serious winters of the past.




One of the best challenging ice climbs in this part of Snowdonia, can be a direct assault on the main cliffs that make up the chasm that is referred to as the Devils Kitchen, and even when there is no ice around, climbing into the kitchen is only for the skilled climber.


Far better to peep inside from the safety of the path, than risk any heroics.


The kitchen route can be tricky to locate in heavy mist right at the top, if one wants to descend back to Ogwen, after a day upstairs, but when you eventually locate its whereabouts, its possibly the quickest way down from the Glyders, if the weather turns nasty.


This is actually one of my favourite walks above Ogwen.


I ascend the Glyders via the Gribyn route, and then depending on the conditions, explore a bit, and then head for Glyder Fawr, down the horrid scree path to LLyn Y Cwn, and then descend via the Devils Kitchen route.


That is a day out, to almost equal a jaunt in the Carneddau over the road in front of you.


Just make sure you choose a really good day, because that view towards Snowdon from Llyn Y Cwn, is worth the journey in itself.

[Steve18566]

Many thanks for the replies.


Further to my question, I'm planning on continuing to Glyder Fawr & Glyder Fach, and descending on the Miners Track, Bwlch Tryfan.


Also, as a possible alternative, ascending Y Garn rather than Devils Kitchen, then continuing as above.
 
Basically, the same question regarding exposure, sheer drops etc


Thanks again in advance


Steve

[Dyffryn Ardudwy]

Personally, i would do that walk in the opposite direction, as the scree slope down to the Miners path from the  Glyders to Bwlch Tryfan, is terribly eroded and very steep, far easier going up it, than coming down.


Its a bit of a slog going up the scree, but as your traverse of the Glyders has yet to begin, you can pop off to the nearby Cantilever to have a snack and recharge your battery's.


Once your on top of the Glyder plateau, there are no sheer drops, or exposure, as the plateau is very wide, so no problems should be encountered.


Either way, you will return back to the same parking place on the A5 in Ogwen, which ever way you choose, but going up the horrid scree path from Bwlch Tryfan, is a lot easier than coming down it, and you will miss nothing upstairs, which ever way you choose to go.

Once you have crossed the Glyder plateau, visited the Cantilever rock, and descended down the easier elevated scree path from Glyder Fawr to Llyn Y Cwn, the distance to Yr Garns summit is not very far.

Return from the summit of Y Garn , back down to Llyn Y Cwn, and then descend down the Kitchen path.

Which ever direction you choose to do this memorable classic, its a great day out, but if your able, choose a sunny day, as the panoramic views are magnificent.


The late Showell Styles, a well known author on Snowdonia, claimed that Y Garn had the finest view in the whole of Northern Snowdonia, so is worth booking a lovely day to see that view.

If your unable to go in good weather, its still a memorable outing, but the rocky plateau of the Glyders, can be very confusing in mist.


Ive done this traverse a number of times, and its one of the finest walks in Northern Snowdonia, almost as good as the Carneddau.


Take my advice, and if your able, try and fit in this walk when the weather is fine, as you will be rewarded with a brilliant day in the hills.

[MikeW]

Also, as a possible alternative, ascending Y Garn rather than Devils Kitchen, then continuing as above.
 
Basically, the same question regarding exposure, sheer drops etc

The path up Y Garn is just a very steep walk often zig zaging and gravelly no hands needed at any point. There are steep, mostly grassy slopes falling away on one side of the path or other at times.

[Steve18566]

Thanks again.


I'm thinking now going up the Miners Track and down Y Garn rather than the Devils Kitchen. I'm guessing it'll be a longish day.
Watching videos on youtube, it looks fantastic, and I'm really looking forward to this.


Steve

[pdstsp]

Hi Steve


You don't actually need to descend via the scree slopes, just continue past these until you are approaching Llyn Caseg Fraith and then turn left - there are two ways onto the path on the ground - a direct downward path and a slightly more sympathetically angled path a little further on which is much gentler on the knees - both easy to find in good visibility. 


The path down from Y Garn is also quite steep and there is some loose stuff near the top, but nothing too serious. 


Whichever route you choose - enjoy.

[Dyffryn Ardudwy]

An ascent via the Bwlch Tryfan route, is an easier start to this magnificent ridge walk, and taking in the summit of Y Garn, is a worthy inclusion.
Depending on the weather, this traverse can be pretty tiring, as the Glyder plateau is a huge jumble of massive Granite boulders, with a path, that at times disappears, and must be re located.
This is why attempting the traverse in fine weather is advisable for ones first outing, as its easier to walk on dry rocks, than wet ones, and navigating from Glyder Fach to Glyder Fawr, is very challenging in heavy mist.

Depending on the weather conditions, this magnificent ridge walk should not pose any problems to a regular walker, and even though the distance is not that far, it will still take the average walker 5-6 hours to complete it.

Its a tiring walk, even for the very fit walker, and in poor weather, navigation is not easy.


Descending down the Devil Kitchen path, is easier than the one from Y Garn, but either route, is perfectly safe, if one takes their time.

This is such a classic adventure in Snowdonia, that it would really be a big shame to complete your first Glyder traverse, in less than ideal conditions.

If you are not tided to a specific date, try and visit the Nant Francon pass, when the weather is settled, because i can guarantee, the vistas from both Glyder Fawr and Y Garn, are incredible.