Cadair Idris by the Minffordd Path
Round the great cliff-ringed lake of Llyn Cau to the summit of Penygadair.
- Distance
- 10.1 km
- Ascent
- 990 m
- Time
- 4–5.5 h
- Grade
- Hard
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 893 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Cadair Idris by the Minffordd Path is a hard 10.1 km circular walk with 990 m of ascent, taking 4 to 5.5 hours. It starts at Dôl Idris car park, Minffordd (grid reference SH 731 115). It climbs 3 listed hills, the highest Penygadair (Cadair Idris) at 893 m.
Cadair Idris is the most loved mountain in southern Eryri, and the Minffordd Path is its finest route. It climbs through the oak woods of Nant Cadair into Cwm Cau, where Llyn Cau sits beneath huge cliffs.
The route follows the rim of the cwm over Craig Cwm Amarch to Penygadair, the summit, then continues to Mynydd Moel before descending back to Minffordd. Legend says anyone who spends a night on the summit wakes a poet or a madman.
Route
-
1
Nant Cadair
Climb the stone steps through the oak woods into Cwm Cau.
-
2
The cwm rim
Follow the rim over Craig Cwm Amarch to Penygadair.
-
3
Mynydd Moel and down
Cross to Mynydd Moel and descend back to Minffordd.
Summits
792 m
Penygadair (Cadair Idris)
893 m
“Chair of Idris”
864 m
Questions about this walk
- How long does Cadair Idris by the Minffordd Path take?
- Most walkers take 4–5.5 hours for the 10.1 km route, which has 990 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Dôl Idris car park, Minffordd (grid reference SH 731 115). Pay and display at Dôl Idris.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded hard. Stone steps through woodland; rocky paths with big drops along the cwm rim.
- Which hills does it climb?
- Penygadair (Cadair Idris) (893 m, Hewitt); Mynydd Moel (864 m, Hewitt); Craig Cwm Amarch (792 m, Hewitt).
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Cadair Idris National Nature Reserve. Sheep graze the hills: keep dogs on a lead, especially at lambing time (March to May).
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