Cadair Idris 06-05-2018
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Route: Minffordd, Dol-y-cae, Ystrad-gwyn, Minffordd Path, Craig Lwyd, Craig Cwm Amarch, Craig Cau, Penygadair, Mynydd Moel, Moelfyrn, Minffordd Path, Minffordd
Date: 06/05/2018
From: Minffordd
Parking: Minffordd
Start Point: Minffordd
Region: Snowdonia
Route length: 6.2 miles (9.9 km)
Time taken: 03:53
Average speed: 1.6 mph
Ascent: 961m
Descent: 967m
Nuttalls on this walk: Craig Cwm Amarch (791m), Penygadair (893m), Mynydd Moel (863m)
Other Summits: Craig Lwyd (690m)
Other points of interest: Llyn Cau, Craig Cau, Summit shelter
A typical UK Bank Holiday usually means one of a number of things - traffic jams, rain and the majority of the country trying the 'getaway' - the mad rush as tabloid papers love to write about. This year, we were treated to two of these and luckily for us, the missing one would be the rain.
For a pre-arranged weekend away in Snowdonia, we were to be treated to three whole days of nearly unbroken sunshine and high temperatures and we planned to make the best of it.
After spending most of Saturday actually getting to Snowdonia (while also purchasing an emergency sleeping mat after a mouse-related incident) we found ourselves camped up in the delightful Nantcol Waterfalls site, a real gem of a place tucked away in the midst of central Snowdonia. From here, the southern mountains would be easily accessible - Cadair (or Cader) Idris in particular.
We drove down to Dolgellau along the coastal roads which were, surprisingly, shrouded in a dense fog and would actually remain so for most of the day. We arrived in time to find a space in the large Minffordd car park. Like Snowdon, Cader Idris attracts the crowds on fine days and we wouldn't be alone for our ascent.
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| An information board covers all aspects of the mountain |
Cader Idris is actually the name for the entire range rather than a single peak (the summit is Penygadair). It is thought to get its name from the mythological legend of the giant Idris who used the mountain as a chair to gaze at the stars. It won't come as a surprise to learn that Cader is Welsh for chair and hence the literal translation is, the chair of Idris.
Beyond the car park are the woods of Ystrad-gwyn where the path starts its relentless climb to the summit of Penygadair. Steps lead up through the woods past the tranquil falls of Nant Cadair, the stream that drains Llyn Cau high up the mountainside. The steps quickly climb up over 300m into the Cader Idris National Nature Reserve.
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| Starting the climb through Ystrad-gwyn |
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| Ystrad-gwyn |
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| Waterfalls on Nant Cadair |
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| Nany Cadair as you appear from the woods |
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| Mynydd Moel |
Thanks to the steps it doesn't take too long to reach the edge of the woods and emerge onto the high hanging valley beneath Mynydd Moel. Climbing still, though at a more agreeable angle now, the path works its way around the end of Craig Lywd and reaches the rim of Llyn Cau, arguably one of the finest examples of a glacial corrie in the country.
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| Craig Cwm Amarch appears |
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| Penygadair |
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| The path to Llyn Cau |
It was speculated until the late 1800s that Llyn Cau could have been an extinct volcano but evidence of the lake's glacial history debunked this. The tarn is surrounded by an amphitheatre of near-vertical crags that were formed by a cirque glacier during the last ice age. Snow and ice accumulated in the corries due to avalanches on higher slopes. In these depressions, snow persisted through the summer months, becoming glacial ice.
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| Craig Cwm Amarch dominates Llyn Cau |
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| Llyn Cau |
From here, the route swings south briefly making a steep climb up the slopes of Craig Lwyd, the southern arm around Llyn Cau. The views get better and better as you climb higher. The path becomes flatter as it passes between Craig Lywd and Craig Cwm Amarch offering a hint of respite before another steep section.
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| Llyn Cau |
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| Craig Cwm Amarch, Llyn Cau and Penygadair |
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| Mynydd Dol-ffanog |
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| Craig Lwyd |
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| Penygadair |
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| Mynydd Moel |
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| Craig Cwm Amarch |
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| Penygadair |
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| The Minffordd Path |
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| Craig Cwm Amarch and Penygadair |
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| Mynydd Pencoed |
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| Looking down a gap in the crag to Llyn Cau |
A 100m climb reaches the top of Craig Cwm Amarch, and it's a spectacular perch. The view down to Llyn Cau is immense. The only minor disappointment is the obvious fact that if you want to reach Penygadair you have to lose some of your hard-earned height to cross Craig Cau.
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| The final climb to Craig Cwm Amarch's summit |
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| Mynydd Pencoed |
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| Llyn Cau from the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch |
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| Penygadair |
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| Craig Lwyd |
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| It was a stellar day to be in the mountains |
Crossing the top of Craig Cau, a path emerges from the steep slopes above Llyn Cau, an alternative route from the lake to Penygadair though a much more miserable looking one than the Craig Lwyd route. Climbing up towards Penygadair, the two sides of Craig Cwm Amarch become startlingly obvious, one side smooth and grassy, the other dark, near-vertical. It's a stunning peak.
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| A fine view of Cader Idris |
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| The Craig Cau saddle |
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| Craig Cwm Amarch stands over Craig Cau |
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| Craig Cwm Amarch |
Prior to reaching the summit, we passed a member of Aberdyfi Mountain Rescue who was issuing instructions such as 'clear this area' and 'secure any loose articles' which could only mean one thing - the Coastguard helicopter was due any moment.
While I am no expert on the subject, nor a member of an MRT team, I do have an interest in the topic and know full well that the Sikorsky helicopters the Coastguard use can create an immense downwash as they hover close-by. We retreated to a safe distance and waited in anticipation of its arrival. FYI - the subject of the callout had suffered a leg injury and seemed in good spirits rather than a more serious case.
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