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Cadair Idris from Llanfihangel-y-pennant

Snowdonia/Eryri Walk

Nat Park - Snowdonia - Cadair Idris

County/Area - Gwynedd

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 10.0 miles / 16.3 km    Ascent - 3500 feet / 1061 metres

Time - 8 hours 30 minutes    Grade - mod/hard

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL23Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL23Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 124Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 124Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Cadair Idris from Llanfihangel-y-pennant
Click image to see photo description.

Cadair Idris is a great mountain and sees many visitors to its fine summit each year. Most walkers use either the pony path from the north or the southern approach using the Minffordd path. This route starts near the village of Llanfihangel-y-pennant and climbs steadily on the southern section of the pony path and descends by a less well-known route back to the start.

Limited parking is available on the verge just before the bridge over the Afon Cadair (Grid ref. SH673095) or in the village carpark at Llanfihangel-y-pennant which adds a little extra mileage to the walk. Cross the bridge over the Afon Cadair and bear right following the track signed to Cadair Idris. This climbs steadily up the valley to reach a ford just past Hafotty Gwastadfryn from where the route steepens briefly before easing for the climb up to the col east of Carnedd Lwyd. From here the views open out and you get a grand panorama looking north.

Turn right at the Col to follow the clear path rising towards the summit of Cadair Idris. At the first clear junction bear left to take the secondary path to the summit of Cyfrwy from where there is an excellent view down to Llyn y Gadair far below. Keeping the steep drop into the cwm on your left continue to the summit of Cadair Idris with its trig point and stone shelter.

Descend south west with Llyn Cau below you on your left following the upper stages of the Minffordd path to reach a col. A steep climb takes you onto the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch. Using the fence as a guide walk just south of west following the crest of a clearly defined ridge to Mynydd Pencoed. Maintaining the same line descend for a short way until the ground steepens and then trend right to the small farm buildings at Pencoed (Grid ref. 685111). Be careful however of the steep ground and hidden crags. Also note that this section of the route is not shown as footpath on maps even though there is evidence of one on the ground.

Reaching Pencoed locate the footpath marked on the OS Outdoor Leisure map and descend through fields to join a track. Turn left and follow this back to the road and the start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1643 Llanfihangel-y-pennant & Castell y Bereeasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 3582 Castell y Bere & Llanfihangel-y-pennant from Abergynolwyn easy/mod5.7 miles
Walk 1309 Tarren y Gesailmoderate8.0 miles
Walk 3230 Tarrenhendre from Abergynolwyneasy/mod5.0 miles
Walk 1851 Cregennen Lakes & Pared y Cefn-hireasy/mod2.5 miles
Walk 1172 Cadair Idris by the Pony Pathmod/hard11.0 miles
Walk 2668 Cadair Idris, Craig Cau and Cyfrwy by the Pony Pathmod/hard5.3 miles
Walk 1204 Cadair Idris Minffordd Pathmod/hard6.0 miles
Walk 2100 Circuit of Cadair Idris from Minfforddmod/hard11.0 miles
Walk 3229 Mawddach circularmoderate9.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Mountain Walking in Snowdonia

Mountain Walking in SnowdoniaGuidebook to 40 of Snowdonia's best day walks, with routes up Snowdon and Tryfan, including the Snowdon Horseshoe, Cadair Idris, Y Garn and The Rhinogs. The routes range from Grade 1 scrambles like Crib Goch or Bristly Ridge, to riverside and forest walks. Includes details of a 2-day traverse of all 15 of Snowdonia's 3000ft peaks.
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The Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast PathA single guidebook to walking the whole Wales Coast Path - 1400km (870 miles) the length of Wales from Chester to Chepstow, including Anglesey, described in 57 stages. The route passes through the Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire National Parks and many AONBs and can be linked with the Offa's Dyke Path for a complete circuit of Wales.
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