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Extra on GPS map - way from Cadair Idris to Corris village where we stayed at Corris Hostel.
Today our small hiking group has got a new member. My daughter heard a lot of stories about hiking in the mountains, looked our pictures and decided to give a try; to admire wonderful views and to understand - what are the mountains?
Beginning of the route. Entrance to the Cadair Idris National Nature Reserve.
At the beginning of the route the path is very steep. But well-made stony stairs are making it easy to walk first 100 meters of route.
Wonderful park! The footpath leads along the river and is giving us marvelous opportunity to oversee pictorial views of nature. We often did stops to look at this beauty with admiration and to make photograph.
Coming out of the forest take the left path - Minffordd Path. Then go around the slope and head to the lake Llyn Cau.
Now we approached the lake and in front of us opened an amazing view of Craig Cwm Amarch.
We climbed a little higher. Marvellous locations for taking pictures: deep inside is situated lake and mountain Bwlch Cau behind it. Daughter was delighted.
This is our team next to the lake Llyn Cau.
We continue to rise and reached the ridge. This is the view of traversed path.
The path meanders a bit; there is a rocky section of track.
Suddenly we have a volunteer guide who cheerfully galloped ahead of us.
Stunner! But we had to say goodbye to him, otherwise we would had been in danger to stray from the route.
That's quite an attractive view of the lake.
Next climb became even steeper and the path became almost invisible. But we know - we should keep forward on the stones, on the top is the first summit.
Here it is the first peak of the day – Craig Cwm Amarch!
View from the peak of the mountain to the lake Llyn Cau. On the left hand side is clearly visible part of the route that we already passed. And it was the most difficult part - serious climb!
Now the lake is behind us. Admiring the view to the west.
From this hill we had just descended. Very picturesque, can't stop to admire it.
Start of a new climb. From this place looks very formidable Craig Cwm Amarch.
Climb goes to the left; we go without pathway and cut off the angle to the top Cyfrwy. On the slope are scattered bizarre shapes of rubble into heaps.
Here again we are heading to the main pathway. In front of us opened view of the mountain peak Cyfrwy. Curiosity pushes us to edge of cliff...
... and we witnessed a marvellous view of the valley! On the left we can see cliffs which are loved by alpinists.
Photos of these rocks with high magnification. What a shame, there's no climbers at this moment.
We are looking at the sea, or to be precise to the Cardigan Bay. Great mood, perfect weather!
Cardigan Bay in distance.
Looked back - in front of us are view of mountain peak Penygadair and the path to the Mynydd Moel. As you can see lake Llyn y Gadair is visible as well.
Now we are heading to the third mountain peak, going through the Pony Path. Back view is like a lunar landscape.
... and now the view up, a rocky section of track, easy climbing.
And here is the third summit - Penygadair! Below you can see shelter where you can escape from the rain.
Doesn't this stone look like a face of shark?
Freedom, plenty of space! You can continue your journey talking animatedly - widespread path is clearly visible, we go to the Mynydd Moel.
Sometimes we approach the edge of the cliff to overlook the valley.
And this is the view of the backward. We already had walked far forward; the Gulf is no longer visible.
What a miracle! We found the snow!
The summit Mynydd Moel.
From this point it is clearly visible path to the fifth mountain’s top – Gau Craig. First of all is steep downhill, then a fairly long flat area. At the bottom shines rhombus shaped lake Llyn Arran.
Daughter is dancing on top of Gau Graig. The program of the day has been completed; we went through all five peaks.
Now we need to return to the road. We decided to go down without path - so it will be shorter, so - faster.
Descended to the stone fence. Hooray! Now go along the narrow trail along the fence until we reach the main pathway.
Well, all difficulties of the route are already behind us. We are on the main trail - is wide and smooth - pleasure to walk. View down to Moelfryn.
Below on the left is clearly visible path, where we started our journey in the morning. In front of us is great panorama of entire route.
Here I am crossing the bridge over the Nant Cadair river.
Remained a short section of track to descent. But remember, the climb was quite steep. Now the same thing, but in reverse.
This day was as beautiful as those spring flowers!
My daughter enjoyed her first trip to the mountains. She said that this walk is much more exciting than the whole day sitting next to the computer. Mountains - it is superb!
P.S. I wonder what will be her impressions after Scotland?
