Cadair Idris by Minffordd Path

[snowdonia7]

As it's 3 months since I set foot on a mountain I thought it was about time I got my a*** back in gear, especially as I was planning on a trip to Scotland in the first week in Februay and hoped to improve on last year's haul of 45 munros (in 3 trips). Plus I needed to break in my Scarpa SLs (that I bought 2 years ago and have only worn twice since).

It was decided to do Cadair Idris near Dolgellau; this would be my first visit to this mountain despite it only being about 60 miles from my house and we opted for the Minffordd path as this offered a nice little circular walk and the chance for some fine views (weather permitting). As it was only a short walk there was no need for an early start and we arrived at the car park to start for just before 10.20.

The first part of the route follows a well made path steeply up through the forestry alongside a river and waterfall. After a long run yesterday my calfs were still a bit tight and the Scarpas felt like diving boots (my last few munro bagging trips have been made wearing fell shoes).This is followed by a short flatter section over boggy ground before the climb to Craig Cwn Amarach and into the wind which was bitingly cold, despite the fact that the sun was doing its best to brighten the day up.

The path then descends to a bwlch at Craig Cau, passing the top of a steep path up from Llyn Cau, which I imagine must be a real leg burner, not to mention a bit hairy in full winter conditions (as it was today there was just a light coating of hail on the ground).

Neil at Craig Cwn Arach with Penygadair to rear

A short pull up to the summit of Penygadair kept the body temperature up, but by now my legs were feeling a bit weary and I was looking forward to the summit shelter and a spot of lunch.

The shelter is a fairly substantial structure, but nonetheless there wasn't too much room inside as there was already 15 walkers (and 3 dogs) in occupation. Despite the fact that I had put on my outer layer and balaclava the 10 minutes spent sitting in the shelter was enough for me to start feeling chilled and so we set out to get warm. But first a couple of quick photos, the first looking ahead to the peak of Mynydd Moel.

After leaving summit shelter

Also a shot looking back towards the summit shelter.

Looking back to summit shelter

Easy going to Mynydd Moel and then descending SE following fence-line to meet the path at 430m which then continues to join the initial path back down through the forestry.

Back at the car park for 13.20

[malky_c]

Great mountain, Cadair Idris. I have vague plans to go up there in a couple of weeks - will need to see what the weather is doing first, as it's too good to waste on a horrible day.

[clivegrif]

Absolutely - cracking hill with many good routes. Walking up it, the Minffordd is probably the most satisfying, but for those who like a little daring-do the Cwyfrwy Arete is brilliant

I've even surveyed it with my lad for his Geography A level, got all sort of strange looks as we were measuring things using red & white ranging poles. If people got too nosy and asked what we were doing, we told them we were surveying the route of the new M470 north to south Wales motorway - and that clearly we would have to knock a tunnel through Cadair Idris as it was too high to go over it.

[yokehead]

Great stuff and nice to see a bit of snow! Yes a wonderful hill, very happy memories for me as being one of only 2 days where my wife has been on the hill with me (my son as well that day so we almost made a crowd)! We were lucky enough to be there in an inversion and to see Brocken Spectres, I can recall it as if it were yesterday!

we told them we were surveying the route of the new M470 north to south Wales motorway - and that clearly we would have to knock a tunnel through Cadair Idris as it was too high to go over it.

Brilliant