How Dangerous is Tryfan?

Tryfan is one of the UK’s most iconic mountains. Its steep and rocky terrain provide dramatic beauty but also make it one of the most difficult mountains in Eryri (Snowdonia) to climb. The recent death of a hiker on it’s slopes have brought the risks of climbing it into sharp focus.

Tryfan is often described as the line between hiking and mountaineering. It requires the use of hands and scrambling skills to reach the top. This and other hazards make Tryfan one of the most dangerous mountains in the UK.

Tryfan

Tryfan is a mountain in the Glyderau range in Eryri (Snowdonia). It stands at 917m tall which makes it the 15th highest mountain in Wales; behind Crib Goch.

How many incidents are on Tryfan?

The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) is a voluntary mountain rescue team responding to incidents over a huge area which includes Tryfan as well as the Glyderau, and Carneddau mountain ranges plus the surrounding area. They cover 29 mountains, 11 of which are higher than Tryfan.

In 2024 OVMRO responded to 173 incidents in this vast area, 47 of these were on Tryfan. This means that 27% of all OVMRO’s callouts in 2024 were on Tryfan, continuing the historical trend of around 30%. This makes Tryfan the mountain with the most callouts for OVMRO and one of the busiest single mountains in the UK for callouts.

So far in 2025 OVMRO have responded to 38 incidents. 10 of these have been on Tryfan.

OVMRO’s Incident Reports are freely available on their website and are an interesting and read for anyone wishing to hike or climb in the local area.

The high number of incidents on Tryfan, especially relative to the number of climbers make it one of the most dangerous mountains in the UK.

What incidents happen on Tryfan?

The majority of incidents that Mountain Rescue responds to are people getting lost or stuck on the mountain; 103 incidents in 2024 (60%).

The second major cause of callouts is leg injuries; 47 incidents 2024 (27%).

Falls are fairly common on Tryfan. Just last week a hiker fell around 10m off the Cannon Stone and needed airlifting to a major trauma centre.

Unfortunately, there are a number of fatalities on Tryfan every year. There were two separate fatalities on in 2024 when hikers became lost before slipping and falling to their deaths (1.15%).

One walker has already died this year after falling around 20m on 22nd February. Sadly, they did not survive their injuries.

Chris Lloyd from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue reflects:

"We are getting a number of people going up getting into difficulties because they aren't suitably equipped or experienced." 

What are the dangers on Tryfan?

All mountains are hazardous environments but Tryfan sees a high number of incidents compared to other mountains.

Emma Edward-Jones of Adventure Smart says:

“...many of them don't have an understanding of the risk involved”

Below we look at those risks and see why some people aren’t suitably equipped or experienced. 

East Face of Tryfan

Steep Terrain

Part of the appeal of Tryfan is it’s steep rocky terrain which is fun to scramble up. 

Unlike most other mountains there isn’t an ‘easy’ footpath to the summit and all routes involve steep terrain and scrambling. Tryfan's 'easiest' route is a Grade 1 scramble up it's South Ridge.

There are several points on the main routes with significant exposure where a fall can be fatal.

The whole of the east and much of the west face of Tryfan is covered in graded rock climbs and gullies. Many hikers have inadvertently found themselves on this terrain. 

Tryfan is not unique compared to other mountains in the type of hazards which are found on its slopes. However, these dangers are amplified by the steep terrain

Main 'footpath' up Tryfan

Difficulty to navigate

Tryfan is very difficult to navigate because the terrian is so rocky. There are no obvious footpaths for much of the mountain and it is hard to find the route even with a map, compass and/or GPS.

There are footpaths at the bottom of the mountain. These draw hikers in and provide a false sense of security before disappearing as height is gained and the ground becomes steeper and rocky (see pic above). 

Many incidents occur as a result of hikers losing their way higher up on the mountain and end up on terrain they are ill equipped for.

Instead of an obvious footpath there is maze of possible lines some of which lead to cliffs, loose rock and wet grassy ledges.

Finding the easiest route is challenging and even experienced mountain hikers can struggle.

Mapping inaccuracies

The line drawn on paper maps and digital mapping software for the North Ridge footpath takes you over cliffs. 

The line is a general route and doesn't include every twist and turn at scales used by most hiking maps (1:25,000, 1:40,000 and 1:50,000).

The section which goes over cliffs looks like the main line when viewed from above (aerial survey & satellite images) due to it's popularity with rock climbers. However rock climbers are equipped and able to use a retrievable abseil to descend the cliff. Hikers should make a small detour around this cliff which isn’t currently shown on most maps. 

Mountain Rescue have contacted mapping companies requesting they change this. 

Adam & Eve leap

Risky Challenges

Much of the scrambling up Tryfan is risky but necessary in order to reach the summit. This risk is added to unnecessarily by risky challenges which add to the fun and make great photos. Two of the most famous are leaping between Adam and Eve and scrambling up the Cannon Stone.

There are two vertical rocks at the summit of Tryfan which can be seen from the valley below. These rocks are called ‘Sion a Sian' (or 'Adam and Eve' in English). Legend has it that jumping from one to the other gains the ‘freedom of Tryfan’. The jump is certainly exhilarating but isn’t without risk and could result in a fall of several hundred metres.

The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRO) say that “Jumping from Sion a Sian/ Adam and Eve on Tryfan’s summit is exhilarating and makes for some great pictures but isn’t without risk… If you are unsure, maybe consider leaning against them instead”.

Just last week a hiker fell around 10m off the Cannon Stone and ended up in a major trauma centre.

Weather

Finding the easiest route and actually scrambling up it is difficult enough in the perfect conditions.

The navigation challenges are amplified when visibility is poor.

The physical difficulty is also increased by moisture as the rocks and grass become greasy (more slippery) making scrambling more hazardous. The steep ground amplifies the danger.

It doesn’t even have to be raining for this. Moisture in the air such as dew or previous rain can linger on the rocks for hours or days at a time. In these conditions a slip or fall is much more likely. In 2024 OVMRO responded to 47 leg injuries and wet terrain was a factor in many of these. 

Darkness

Mr Lloyd of OVMRO said in Feb 2025: "The amount of times we are called because people have been caught out by darkness because they didn't bring a torch with them even though it's a really simple thing."

The difficulties darkness brings also amplify the danger. Getting lost or slipping or tripping on steep, rocky terrain is much more likely in the dark.

You could probably walk down the Llanberis Path on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) without a torch but scrambling down Tryfan in the same conditions is a completely different prospect.

Lack of phone signal

This isn't a hazard itself but can increase danger in a bad situation.

There have been a number of incidents on Tryfan where individuals have felt the need to phone for rescue (often due to being lost or stranded). There is a lack of phone signal on Tryfan so these individuals sometimes unnecessary risks in order to find signal only to fall (sometimes to their deaths).

How to stay safe on Tryfan

Mountains are by their very nature hazardous environments and it is impossible to eliminate all risk. 

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) states that: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death.

That said, there are a number of things individuals can do to reduce the dangers.

Gain experience

The single best thing an individual can do to stay safe on Tryfan is gain experience or go with someone who is. All of the advice listed here becomes second nature to the experienced mountaineer. 

“Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience” Albert Einstein

Practice scrambling

It is advised that anyone attempting Tryfan (especially its North Ridge) is comfortable with exposed drops and scrambling techniques. Tryfan isn’t the best place for a novice to familiarize themselves with these techniques due to the sustained nature of the scrambling, complexity of the terrain and the lack of escape routes. 

One of the most important skills gained from experience is to know your capability and limits. This allows you to not climb up something you can’t climb down. 

Be a competent navigator 

The terrain on Tryfan is complex and difficult to navigate. 

Traditional navigation techniques and GPS provide a general idea of where the route is. These serve as a guide of the macro route but should be used in conjunction with micro route finding (i.e. whether to go up this or that bit of rock).

The best line zigzags around rocky outcrops, cliffs and slippery ledges. Good route finding is essential and comes from the good judgement borne from experience on similar terrain rather than following an artificial line drawn on a map or GPS screen.

Check the weather forecast

This applies to all mountains but check the weather before heading out. Prepare for the weather to be worse than expected and be aware that the rock might be wet and greasy and visibility might be poor. 

Know when sunset is

There are a substantial number of avoidable rescue call outs where people have got lost because of darkness. 

This is especially true in autumn and winter when the sunsets early. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, set off early, make sure you know when sunset is and take a headtorch. 

A headtorch can also be used to signal if you get into difficulty.

Pack appropriately

Take the appropriate clothing and equipment. This includes normal hiking gear such as waterproofs and plenty of warm layers and a means to navigate (plus a back up).

Gloves get wet instantly when scrambling on wet rock so it is best to take a few pairs.

Take a whistle and headtorch. There isn’t much phone signal on Tryfan so a whistle or flashlight can be used to give the ‘Alpine distress signal’.

Wear suitable footwear

Tryfan is challenging enough in good footwear. Walking boots are a good choice as they provide good grip plus ankle support which reduces the odds of lower leg injuries (which are the second most common cause of Mountain Rescue Incidents on Tryfan).

In wet conditions, stiff soled mountaineering boots are preferred as they provide better grip on the small footholds compared with flexible soled options.

In dry conditions, it is possible to wear fell-running trainers as these have good grip but they do have the disadvantage of flexible soles and no ankle support so there is an increased risk of lower leg injury.

Be willing to turn around

An important mountaineering skill is knowing when to turn around and having the equipment and skills to do so. 

Too many incidents happen on Tryfan when this decision is left too late with individuals then being unable to get down.

Don’t scramble up anything you can’t get down. 

Avoid taking unnecessary risks

Don’t take on unnecessary challenges such as scrambling up ground that is too steep for your equipment and/or abilities. 

Risky challenges such as the Adam and Eve leap or Cannon Stone should only be done by confident individuals who are aware of the risks.

Let someone know

Let someone know your intended route plus expected finish time. 

There isn’t much phone signal on Tryfan so you might not be able to contact Mountain Rescue if you get into difficulty.

Letting someone (including your hotel/ B&B) know your plans will mean it’s just a matter of time until rescue is on it’s way. You won't have to take unnecessary risks to get phone signal in an already very bad situation.

Consider using a local mountain guide

Because of the difficulties associated with Tryfan it is advised beginners either gain experience on other mountains or use a local guiding company. 

The advice and experience they provide will increase safety and significantly reduce the chance of being a Mountain Rescue statistic.

Mountain guides know various lines up and they will take you up one that is suitable for the conditions and your ability.

In addition, a guide will carry a rope and importantly, know how to use it if needed.

What to do in an emergency?

Follow the advice above and you shouldn’t find yourself in a bad situation. However, if you do get into trouble, follow this advice...

1. Preparation is key

• Pack appropriately (take a phone, torch, whistle, plenty of food, water and warm layers)

• Let someone know your route and expected return time

If you do these two things you can survive nearly all situations on Tryfan. Most rescues are complete within 8 hours.

2. Stay Calm

Evaluate the situation. Most of the time the situation isn’t deteriorating.

3. Come up with a plan

• On Tryfan, due to the steep terrain the best thing to do might be to stay exactly where you are. If you have packed appropriately and let someone know your route then rescue will be on it's way and you are kitted out to sit tight

• Only move if it is safe and beneficial to do so

4. Call for help

• Dial 999 and ask for Police then Mountain Rescue

• If there’s no signal, and it’s safe, try moving to higher ground or sending a text to 999 (if pre-registered)

• Do the Alpine Distress Signal (six blasts on a whistle or torch, wait, repeat) or SOS Morse signal (dot-dot-dot-dash-dash-dash-dot-dot-dot)

5. Keep warm and dry

• Put extra layers on, use an emergency blanket or storm shelter

• Try and insulate yourself from the ground as a lot of heat is lost through the ground

6. Administer First Aid if necessary

• Keep an injured person warm and reassured

• Treat injuries (e.g., apply pressure to wounds, immobilize fractures)

7. Wait for rescue

• Most rescues are complete within 8 hours so sit tight and stay warm

Conclusion

Tryfan is a hazardous mountain with a disproportionately high number of Mountain Rescue incidents. It should only be attempted by experienced individuals with good preparation in the right conditions.

Individuals who don't have this experience should contact a local guiding company

FAQ’s 

How difficult is Tryfan?

The steep terrain and difficulty to navigate make Tryfan one of the most challenging mountains in the UK. The easiest route up Tryfan is a Grade 1 scramble.  

What is a Grade 1 Scramble?

Scrambling is the area between mountain hiking and rock climbing. 

A Grade 1 is the easiest and least hazardous of the three scrambling grades in the UK. This is closer to hiking than rock climbing and requires the occasional use of hands to climb up short sections of rock. A Grade 3 is basically an 'easy or moderate' rock climb.

Is Tryfan suitable for beginners?

The physical and navigational challenges don’t make Tryfan suitable for beginners. 

It is recommended that beginners gain experience hiking and scrambling before attempting Tryfan or hire a mountain guide.

How do you contact mountain rescue?

The three best ways to contact Mountain Rescue are…

1. Call - Dial 999, ask for 'Police' then 'Mountain Rescue'

2. Emergency SMS -  If you can’t make a call due to low battery or poor signal then text ‘Police, Mountain Rescue’ to 999 with details of the incident and location (you must be pre-registered)

3. Alpine distress signal - Six blasts on a whistle (or flashes of a torch) made in quick succession then repeated after one minute. Alternatively, the SOS Morse Code signal can be used