Cader Idris via the Miniffordd Path - Eryri National Park

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Route: Miniffordd, Dol-y-cae, Miniffordd Path, Llyn Cau, Craig Lwyd, Craig Cwm Amarch, Craig Cau, Penygadair, Cader Idris, Ystrad-gwyn, Dol-y-cae

Date: 25/05/2024
From: Miniffordd

Parking: Miniffordd
Start Point: Dol-y-cae
Finish Point: Dol-y-cae
Region: Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)

Route length: 9.7km
Time taken: 04:24
Average speed: 2.9km/h
Ascent: 914m
Descent: 900m

Nuttalls on this walk: Craig Cwm Amarch (791m), (811m), Penygadair (893m)

Other Summits: Craig Lwyd (690m)

Points of Interest: Llyn Cau, Llyn y Gadair

Aside from Snowdon, Cader Idris is one of Wales' most popular peaks, and for good reason. Just looking at it on a map makes you want to climb it (if that sort of thing appeals to you). It's an exciting-looking mountain surrounded by impressive rock formations, including cwms, corries, headwalls, moraine, and striated rocks. Steep, high, and offering everything you could want for a thoroughly enjoyable day out, Cader Idris is a prominent peak in Snowdonia National Park, Wales. Its challenging ascent and breathtaking views make it a popular destination for experienced hikers. 

Cader Idris, the name for the entire range rather than a single peak (the summit is Penygadair), is thought to derive from a mythological legend. It's believed that the giant Idris used the mountain as a chair to gaze at the stars. The name "Cader" is Welsh for "chair," making the literal translation "the chair of Idris."

Having driven down to Dolgellau, I arrived at the large Minffordd car park mid-morning. Finding a parking space proved challenging, as Cader Idris, like Snowdon, attracts crowds on favourable days. I certainly wouldn't be alone on this ascent.

Beyond the car park are the woods of Ystrad-gwyn where the path starts a relentless climb to the summit of Penygadair. Steps lead through the woods past the tranquil falls of Nant Cadair, the stream that drains Llyn Cau high up the mountainside. The steps quickly climb over 300m into the Cader Idris National Nature Reserve.

The path from the car park towards Dol-y-cae

Nant Cadair

Waterfalls on Nant Cadair

Looking back along the Minffordd Path

Miniffordd

Thanks to the steps, it doesn't take long to reach the edge of the woods and emerge onto the hanging valley beneath Mynydd Moel. Still climbing, though at a more agreeable angle, 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.

Below Mynydd Moel

Craig Lwyd

Approaching Llyn Cau

Llyn Cau and Craig Cwm Amarch

Llyn Cau, once thought to be a volcano, is actually a glacial tarn. Surrounded by steep cliffs, it formed from snow and ice that accumulated in the corries during the last ice age.

Craig Cwm Amarch

Buttressed cliffs of Craig Cwm Amarch

Llyn Cau

From Llyn Cau, the route swings south briefly, making a steep climb up the slopes of Craig Lywd, the southern arm that embraces the cwm. The views improve as you ascend. The path flattens as it passes between Craig Lywd and Craig Cwm Amarch, offering a brief respite before another steep section.

A busy day on the mountain...

...and a steep climb too 

Heading towards Craig Lwyd

Above Llyn Cau

Craig Lwyd

The broad summit of Craig Lwyd

A 100-meter climb leads to the top of Craig Cwm Amarch, a spectacular vantage point. The view down to Llyn Cau is breathtaking. Unfortunately, you must descend slightly to cross Bwlch Cau on your way to Penygadair.

Craig Cwm Amarch and Penygadair

The Miniffordd Path

Looking down one of the steep gullies of Craig Cwm Amarch

The summit of Craig Cwm Amarch

Penygadair - the main objective of the day

Llyn Cau and Mynydd Moel

Penygadair and Bwlch Cau

Panorama from Craig Cwm Amarch

Crossing the top of Craig Cau, a path emerges from the steep slopes above Llyn Cau. This is an alternative route from the lake to Penygadair, but it looks much more challenging than the Craig Lywd route. Climbing up towards Penygadair, the two sides of Craig Cwm Amarch become strikingly different: one side is smooth and grassy, while the other is dark and nearly vertical. It's a stunning peak.

The cliffs of Craig Cwm Amarch

Craig Cwm Amarch from the slopes of Penygadair

The final climb to the summit is framed by a beautiful view of Cyfrwy and Llyn y Gader, another perfectly formed glacial lake.

Cyfrwy and Llyn y Gader

Barmouth visible in the distance

Llyn  y Gader

I took a quick photo of the trig pillar before heading towards the unusual stone shelter on the summit. Originally built to serve refreshments to walkers waiting for the mist to clear, it had fallen into disrepair. The National Park Authority rebuilt it to provide temporary shelter for walkers in poor weather conditions.

A quick photo of the trig

The shelter atop Penygadair

The summit

Heading towards Mynydd Moel

Ahead is a stretch of easy hiking along the main ridge of Cader Idris as the path makes its way towards Mynydd Moel, a sizable outlying summit that appears as a broad, grassy dome. This section forms part of the Cambrian Way, a 300-mile trek from Cardiff to Conwy. The view back along the spine of the mountain is magnificent.

Rolling Welsh hills

The Cambrian Way crossing Cader Idris

Mynydd Moel

The path branches below Mynydd Moel, with the right-hand fork leading to a direct route off the mountain towards Moelfyrn, following a wire fence. It's certainly steep but has recently been improved. To distract yourself from the steepness, enjoy the wonderful view of Llyn Cau and the cwm below Craig Cwm Amarch.

Llyn Cae

Llyn Cau

Following the path along the fence

Tal-y-llyn Lake

Miniffordd

Eventually, having descended some 450m, the path flattens and soon meets the path emerging from the woods which was climbed in the morning. From here it's a reverse of the route through Ystrad-gwyn back to the car park.

Approaching Nant Cadair

Nant Cadair