Clogwyn y Tarw falls into that second band of North Wales bouldering crags, lacking the allure of A-listers such as Sheep Pen or the Cromlech but certainly major enough to demand a visit from any self-respecting north walean boulderer. While the boulders are a little spread - in typical fashion for the area - there is a reasonably high density of quality problems on offer, with the odd classic there as a must-try: The Punk 7c, Ragin Bull 7a and Red Sky Wall 6c.
This hillside certanly doesn't belong to the boulderers. The walk around the nearby Llyn Idwal is possibly the most popular accessible tourist walk in the whole of North Wales and scores of people trek around the lake on a daily basis. As such, you can expect the occasional odd look on the approach. That said, the traffic stays largely confined to the path and once you step away to head to the boulders or routes, you should be assured of some solitude.
Clogwyn y Tarw is nestled at the bottom of the Gribin Facet ridgeline in Cwm Idwal; in itself a double edged sword. While the boulders are quite exposed and dry quickly after rain, this part of the world sees it's fair share of rain to dry from and the exposed nature of the cwm means there is little shelter or warning from the oncoming storms, should you be unfortunate enough to get caught at the crag when the weather turns. Make no mistake, these are mountain boulders in a very mountainous setting and the terrain and setting should be treated with the right level of respect. For those experienced enough to manage, Clogwyn y Tarw will doubtless provide much enjoyment in a truly magnificent setting
