WALES
09. GWYNEDD, CADAIR IDRIS
Distance: 8.3 miles/13.4km | Time: 6-7 hour | Grade: Challenging | Total ascent: 981m
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Mountains refresh our perspective. When your vista is dominated by an ocean of dissolving summits, when sky and peak perform a cloud and rock concerto, human endeavour seems delightfully insignificant.
Cadair Idris is no exception, though at 893 metres it’s not so high you can’t also see settlements. But only a few and they are dwarfed by landscape – Barmouth is tiny at the mouth of Afon Mawddach, itself a shining wondrous shawl. The sun melts the clouds, changing their colour and texture. From this rock in this sky, humanity seems very small and fleeting indeed.
1. START
This is one of several routes up Cadair Idris. From the Minffordd car park, turn left on to the A487, taking extreme care on the short distance to Cwmrhyddfor Farm – the traffic is fast.
If travelling by bus, you can skip sections one and two and begin at the bus stop.
2. 0.4 MILES
At the farm, follow the path along the bottom of Cwm Rhyddfor between the road and Cadair Idris, which is so far above, you barely notice it.
3. 1.8 MILES
At the bus stop and car park, climb the stile on the left and start ascending. The path keeps largely to the fenceline, weaving either side of it as the views unfold. It becomes very steep and some use of hands is needed.
4. 3 MILES
At the cairn, continue left along the path.
Although still climbing, the path levels out a little, allowing you to relax and enjoy the rugged terrain and views down the ridge right to the lakes – Llyn Arran, Llyn Gafr and Llyn y Gader. Look out for ring ouzels.
5. 5.4 MILES
It gets busier as the paths combine at the summit. Cadair Idris is a popular mountain due to its varied habitats and spectacular vistas. From here you can see Eryri’s (Snowdonia’s) summits, gentler peaks rolling south and east, and the sea.
Descend by the busier Minffordd path, paying due care and attention – the path is for the most part steep rocky steps which can be slippery, with potentially treacherous drops into the hanging valley of Cwm Cau. Llyn Cau sits within the valley. Scoured by glaciers, this conical lake is 50 metres deep at its centre, harbouring brown trout, while lakeside vegetation includes quillwort, shoreweed and liverworts.
6. 6.9 MILES
The steps are as gruelling in descent as ascent. But this alluring path, dropping from montane terrain into broadleaf woodland, delivers you finally into the relaxing glades and wooded park around the lake of Dôl Idris.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
Drivers head for the car park at LL36 9AJ.
Or take the T2 bus between Aberystwyth and Bangor, with stops at Minffordd and the northeast end of Bwlch Llyn Bach. lloydscoaches.com
Terrain
None of Cadair Idris’s paths are waymarked and all are potentially hazardous.
Map
OS Explorer OL23
Eat/drink
Cadair Idris Visitor Centre tearoom is at the bottom of the Minffordd Path. visitsnowdonia.info/ty-te-cadair-tea-room
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