Cadair Idris The Minffordd Path

Cadair Idris

The Minffordd Path

Summits

Craig Cwm Amarch          2595ft (791m)                   124-711121 SH

Cyfrwy                               2661ft (811m) Optional   124-704134 SH

Pen y Gadair                     2929ft (893m)                   124-711130 SH

Mynydd Moel                   2831ft (863m)                  124-728137 SH

Gau Graig                          2241ft (683m) Optional  124-744141 SH

 

Minffordd Car Park 

Junction of A487 B4405 Just past the Minffordd Hotel

 

Maps Ordnance Survey

Landranger sheet 124

Explorer series 23 (Outdoor Leisure) – Cadair Idris & Bala Lake

 

Although the summit of Cadair Idris is actually called Pen y Gadair most people simply refer to this amazing mountain by its general name Cadair Idris, translated it actually means Chair of Idris, a Welsh giant from Celtic mythology.

The main bulk of the Mountain range rises from the Cambrian coastal plain up to 2929 feet, just short of the munro classification of 3000ft.

Consisting of alternate strata of Felspathic trap and shale, this high mountain ridge extends from Cross Foxes in the East to Arthog in the West. On its North flak is the little Welsh town of Dolgellau sitting at the far end of the beautiful Mawddach Estuary. On the Southern side is the mysterious Tal-y-llyn lake.

The Mountain now forms part of the Cadair Idris National Nature Reserve.

The actual chair of Idris is the north facing cwm containing Llyn y Gadair, however the west facing cwm containing Llyn Cau with Craig Cwm Amarch and Pen y Gadir on two of its flanks is by far the most beautiful location on the mountain.

Just below the summit of Pen y Gadair stands a mountain refuge shelter built in the eighteen hundreds. The hut was used by the Ordnance survey team who spent a number of months in the summer of 1871 surveying the mountain.

The hut is a solid stone structure with a corrugated metal roof. Inside the hut that stands just below the huge cairn holding the trig point, are wood benches sitting on a stone slab floor. Ok not a luxury pent house, but this hut has been the savour of many intrepid mountaineer and explorer looking for some shelter and relief, from the wind and storms that batter this huge lump of rock just off the Cambrian coast.

 

As with all mountains, certain precautions need to be taken before you proceed. Please refer to the Mountain Safety page on this site that will give you guidance on what measure you should take to protect yourself on the mountains.

 

There are several routes up Cadair Idis, however the two main routes both start on the North and South flanks of the Mountain.

The most popular route the Pony Path starts at a place called T y-nant just after Llyn Gwernan. This route is used by the vast majority of tourists holidaying around the Barmouth. The route winds its way up a steady gradient to the very top of the mountain. The route can feel somewhat crowded in the summer and the only bit of the route that is challenging is the actual final push to the summit.

 

The slightly less popular route and by far one of the most interesting and beautiful routes onto the mountain starts at a small car park at Minffordd. The car park is just off the junction of the A487 and the B4405 at the Eastern end of Tal-y-llyn lake, or to use its Welsh name Llyn Mwyngil.

The facilities at the car park are extremely good. Around the car park are wooden benches and walks for those with disability requirements. There is also toilet facilities and an information board.

The Route

 

The Minffordd path starts at the gate just past the toilet block. The path heads through the woods towards the Nant Gadair waterfalls tumbling down the gully. After you pass the warden building another gate enters the woods and so starts the actual ascent up the mountain. The pathway rises steeply up the left hand side of the Nant Cadair falls through very pretty woods. The path consists of rough steps build by the National Nature reserve wardens to help cut down soil erosion caused by the many visitors.

Top of the falls

At the top of the falls you pass through another gate and in to the open countryside. Continue along the path until you come to a slate bridge crossing the Nant Cadair stream. Although either path will eventually take you to the summit, the more interesting route is the left hand path leading to Llyn Cau.

Continue up along the path slowing circling to the left. After a short ascent over a bulk of rock and just before reaching Llyn Cau the path actually forks to the left up a steep series of stone steps that lead onto the ridge. However a small detour on to the lake is well worth the effort. This is a beautiful location to take a well earned break before you start the steep climb to the summit.

Llyn Cau is a dark mysterious lake with towering cliffs plummeting into its deep waters. Above dark brooding clouds dance around the summits like demons try to devour the black rock. On a sunny day the waters twinkle in the sunlight as a gentle mountain breeze blows across the lake whipping up the water like sea horse dancing across its surface. In the winter the blackness of the water is a stark contrast to the bright white slow that settles all around the lake giving the whole area a ghostly appearance. This is truly a magnificent location well worth a visit even if you decide not to carry on up to the top of the mountain

After leaving the lake retrace your steps to where the path forked left up a steep set of stone steps onto the Southern ridge above Llyn Cau. After climbing the steps to the top of the ridge turn right by the cairn at the top. The ridge then follows the top of the cliffs above Llyn Cau in a clockwise direction until reaching the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch. Just prior to the summit is a wooden ladder which once crossed gives you the first summit over 2000feet. Craig Cwm Amarch probably boasts one of the most dramatic and exposed locations of the day. Standing on the top of this summit you have the Cambrian coast on one side and on the other a precipice of rock that plummets down to the dark waters of Llyn Cau many feet below. Take care in bad weather or on windy days as this location is extremely exposed.

Once you have had chance to take in the spectacular views it’s time to carry on in the clockwise direction of the ridge. Here you take a small descent down along the edge of the cliffs above Llyn Cau. On reaching the lowest point where the stone shoot, a scramble path that ascends from Llyn Cau meets the path, you start the ascent up to the highest point of the mountain.

The path starts quite gently at first with cairns along the route guiding those who have been foolish enough not to bring a map. As the path joins the Pony Path just below the summit of Pen y Gadair you have a choice to make. You can either continue us to the summit of Pen y Gadair or you can make a short detour back down the Pony Path to complete Cyfrwy another spectacular 2000 foot summit that gives amazing views of the cliffs below Pen y Gadair on its North face.

The climb to the summit of Pen y Gadair from where the two paths meet is a relatively short climb. On reaching the summit, a trig point stands on a huge cairn of rock marking the high point of the day. On a nice day you can utilise one of the many wind breaks dotted around the summit and enjoy the views off the mountain. If the weather is its usual self at this very exposed location, use the mountain hut just below the summit to get you away from the elements for a short breather.

Summit of Cadair Idris

On leaving the summit, head east along the ridge to Mynydd Moel. The large wind shelter marks the location. The summit again stands on the exposed Northern cliff of the ridge and it is reached after crossing a style ladder over a wire fence.

There is a further 2000ft plus peak at the very end of the ridge about a mile or so towards Cross Foxes, but this will require a substantial walk back to the car park after descending down the ridge on the right hand side along a fence that leads down to the A487. Although once the A487 is reached, there is a track that runs alongside the road that can be used to walk along to avoid the traffic that hurtles along this busy road.

 

If you wish to avoid this long detour, then after you leave the summit of Mynydd Moel, retrace your steps back toward the summit of Pen y Gadair until you reach the style ladder you crossed on the way up. Turn left and follow the fence down the Tal-y-Llyn side of the ridge. The descent starts gently at first across the ridge then falls steeply all the time following the fence down. The pathway is currently being repaired and parts of it consist of stone steps making the descent very easy. The path will take you down to where you came out of the woods above the Nant Cadair falls at the start of the route. Cross the slate bridge that you passed on the way up and follow the path don by the side of the falls retracing your steps back to the car park.

Here it’s time to de-kit and have a well earned break before either leaving for home or continuing with your holiday.

This guide is free, but if you wish to give a donation of any kind. Please give one to any of the Mountain Rescue organizations.

These Guys risk their lives to protect and save you in your time of need.