UKC

I'm heading up Bristly Ridge tomorrow morning.  Setting off from campsite Gwern Gof Uschaf at the foot of Tryfan and I feel the best way up to Bwlch Tryfan (avoiding Tryfan summit*) is the direct route via Cwm Tryfan.  Possibly descend at Devil's Kitchen.  It doesn't seem a popular route and I'm missing something?  Maybe because people generally like to do the Tryfan ascent too?

*Avoiding tryfan summit as, even though it is my favourite mountain ascent, the descent down to Bwlch Tryfan will take its toll on my knees.

Depends what you mean by "best".  I don't think there's a 'bad' way to get up there.  It's great mountain scenry any which way.

It's six and two-threes but you could also take the path from the A5 via Bochlwyd Buttress and then on via Llyn Bochlwyd to the foot of Bristly Ridge.

Or, climb on to the Heather Terrace to the Far South Peak and then descend to the ridge. You have got a scree climb to contend with from the Terrace to the col but it's not that bad.

Plenty of ways to get there

I'm thinking most direct and quickest, really.  I think the alternative would be to walk up the side of the A5 and take a route via Llyn Bochlwyd.

Yes, I think that's the more preferred/popular route.  It's the route I've taken before in the past and definitely more scenic than the East side of Tryfan.  But I'm actually camping at Gwern Gof Uschaf and the route up Cwm Tryfan just seems more logical because it's direct. 

I wanted to avoid the Heather Terrace.  Not been up there for over 20 years but I think it would possibly slow me down a bit?

I really like Cwm Tryfan and it is always quiet (at least, it used to be ). 

Insofar as the Terrace is concerned, what's not to like (except the scree at the end)? It's easy enough to get onto: the quickest way is to cross the boggy ground to the west of Tryfan Bach. The surest way is to take the (dressed) footpath behind Tryfan Bach to the fence and then turn right (west) and follow the fence line/path to the foot of a short scramble to the terrace. Be warned, it can be quite boggy!

Obviously, I can't comment on how you'll find the ground but whether you go via the cwm or the terrace, you'll have to gain the same height. For sure the cwm will be easier going but the climb at the end will be steeper. Conversely, the Terrace will require a short(ish) descent from the Far South Peak to the Bochllwyd col.

The real beauty of taking the Terrace route is that you'll see Bristly Ridge in all its glory as you get the the col at the Far South Peak: it's a hell of a view. For obvious reasons, my favourite route up the ridge is Dexter gully

I'm kind of warming to the idea of the Heather Terrace.  I'll see how I feel in the morning.  It'll certainly add to the buzz.

I've only been up Sinister Gully and certainly won't be pushing myself to attempt Dexter Gully.  Not yet, anyways. 

Thanks for this.  Some proper food for thought.

The descent from Glyder Fawr and especially the Devils Kitchen path will also take its toll on your knees. I tend to avoid that.

I prefer backtracking from Glyder Fawr and descending by the Y Gribin ridge.

Alternatively, keep going and do Y Garn as well.