Tryfan towers above the Ogwen Valley (Dyffryn Ogwen), a glacial valley running between the village of Capel Curig and the small hamlet of Ogwen Cottage. It's a valley bordered by some of the highest and most spectacular mountain ranges in North Wales and the foreboding peak of Tryfan is definitely a visitors and photographers favourite.

The best photo viewpoints of Tryfan

Tryfan photo Viewpoint 1: The flanks of Pen Yr Ole Wen

A snow-capped Tryfan at sunriseThe winter sunrise lighting the sky above the iconic mountain peak of Tryfan, one of the most popular peaks with visitors to Snowdonia (Eryri) in North Wales. This photo was taken from the flanks of Pen Yr Ole Wen looking across the Ogwen valley, one of the best viewpoints to photograph Tryfan.

Climbing on to the flanks of Pen Yr Ole Wen provides a wonderful vantage point to capture the forbiding peak of Tryfan surrounded by its sister peaks of the Glyderau mountain range. Using a wide lens it’s also possible to include glacial Llyn Ogwen in the shot, although the higher you climb the less of the lake you’ll fit in the frame. There’s good foreground interest to be had here too; the numerous cascades of the Afon Lloer are particularly photogenic.

Tryfan photo Viewpoint 2: Gwern Gof Uchaf/Tryfan Bach

Tryfan snowfallSnowdonia's most majestic mountain Tryfan in winter snow A wide gravelled track runs along the south side of the A5 all the way from Capel Curig to the shores on Llyn Ogwen with the section close to the farm of Gwern Gof Uchaf providing some of the most dramatic views of Tryfan. The waters of the Nant Gwen Y Gof flow to the east of the farm and where the track crosses the stream you’ll find a short, but photogenic section of slate fencing; perfect foreground interest with the backdrop of Tryfan.

The path to Tryfan Bach heads south west from directly behind the farm. The views are immediately obvious and with Tryfan being pretty close a wide lens is essential. There’s plenty of rocky outcrops and surrounding vegetation for foreground interest, the ladder style reached shortly after joining the path is great too. It’s also a popular spot with climbers so a longer lens gives you the chance of an action shot.

Tryfan photo Viewpoint 3: View to Tryfan’s East face

Tryfan stunning in winter snowThe stunning view of Tryfan's east face in a winter coat of snow in Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) North Wales The East face of Tryfan is arguably its most dramatic and this viewpoint offers an excellent place to capture it at its best.

Best time of year/day

Summer sunrise at Viewpoint 1 produces warm light on all of the facing peaks of the Glyderau mountains, short winter days are trickier with the sun rising directly in the frame to the east side of Tryfan.  A visit following recent rain is a good idea here too if you want the best foreground from the water of the Afon Lloer. Viewpoint 2 sees good early morning light on the face of Tryfan all year round and sunset directly behind Tryfan in winter, likewise Viewpoint 3 is best visited just after sunrise.

If you'd like to see more of Snowdonia Eryri and some the the stunning photo locations & best viewpoints in the national park do have a browse of my Eryri Snowdonia photo gallery: https://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs

If you're visiting the area or are a keen photographer then my popular photo location guidebook Photographing North Wales by Simon Kitchin has everything you need to help you capture the very best photos of Snowdonia Eryri, The Llyn Peninsula, the stunning coastline of Anglesey and lots of other wonderful photo viewpoints across North Wales

https://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/north-wales-photo-location-guidebook