Cadair Idris - Friday 5 September 2014
Route
Abergwynant - Kings - Pony Path - Penygadair (Summit) - Foxes Path - Llyn y Gadair - Gwernan - Kings - Abergwynant
Parking
We started from the Caravan but there is plenty of parking near the start of the Pony Path (Charge) - Grid Ref SH698153
Mileage
12 miles
Terrain
Good paths but care needs to be taken on the ascent to the start of the Foxes Path and the Foxes Path itself which for the most part is loose scree. The summit of Cadair Idris can be confusing in mist.
Weather
Sunny periods but generally hazy. The days when Cadair Idris has a cloud free summit are rare - we were lucky today!!
Time Taken
6hrs 50mins
Total Ascent
4238ft (1291m)
Map
OL23 - Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid
Abergwynant - Kings - Pony Path - Penygadair (Summit) - Foxes Path - Llyn y Gadair - Gwernan - Kings - Abergwynant
Parking
We started from the Caravan but there is plenty of parking near the start of the Pony Path (Charge) - Grid Ref SH698153
Mileage
12 miles
Terrain
Good paths but care needs to be taken on the ascent to the start of the Foxes Path and the Foxes Path itself which for the most part is loose scree. The summit of Cadair Idris can be confusing in mist.
Weather
Sunny periods but generally hazy. The days when Cadair Idris has a cloud free summit are rare - we were lucky today!!
Time Taken
6hrs 50mins
Total Ascent
4238ft (1291m)
Map
OL23 - Cadair Idris & Llyn Tegid
GPX File
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Walk Description
We were staying at the Caravan Site at Abergwynant Farm therefore it was really good to walk from the door today. The days of clear views on the top of Cadair Idris have been rare for us in the past therefore it was nice to wake up to a day of good visibility, albeit hazy all the same. No matter what, it is still a lovely walk whatever the weather, providing you are able to navigate properly in deteriorating conditions - the summit is no place to be in mist without an idea of where you are.
Ordinarily, the start of this walk would be the parking area near the start of the Pony Path however it was a lovely stroll through the woods and we were able to handrail the Gwynant for most of the way. The views of the surrounding area got better the nearer we got to the start of the path and we emerged on to the road and turned left to reach the footpath sign near the car park.
The Pony Path for the most part is a well maintained and popular route up Cadair Idris and it was good to see people out and about enjoying themselves. The path gradient is not too onerous and before we knew it we had reached the path junction where the route makes a sharp left turn at Rhiw Gwredydd. The path then turns from a paved pathway to a mix of loose stone with the odd scree section although is not difficult to walk over or follow. Passing the junction of Cyfrwy the summit is easily reached via a short scramble up a steep gradient. Once on the top the views over Llyn y Gadair, Llyn Gair and back to the Mawddach Estuary are very impressive.
We did intend to make our way over to Mynydd Moel but left that summit for another day - instead we made our way down the scree slopes of the Foxes Path. Care needs to be taken down this path, particularly on a wet day as accidents can happen with loose rock hurtling down the mountain side. We took our time getting down today and before we knew it we emerged at the hotel at Y Gwernan for a nice cold drink.
Once suitably refreshed we took a different route back to Kings Youth Hostel, this time on the other side of the Gwynant and this, like the outward journey was a lovely stroll through beautiful countryside.
Ordinarily, the start of this walk would be the parking area near the start of the Pony Path however it was a lovely stroll through the woods and we were able to handrail the Gwynant for most of the way. The views of the surrounding area got better the nearer we got to the start of the path and we emerged on to the road and turned left to reach the footpath sign near the car park.
The Pony Path for the most part is a well maintained and popular route up Cadair Idris and it was good to see people out and about enjoying themselves. The path gradient is not too onerous and before we knew it we had reached the path junction where the route makes a sharp left turn at Rhiw Gwredydd. The path then turns from a paved pathway to a mix of loose stone with the odd scree section although is not difficult to walk over or follow. Passing the junction of Cyfrwy the summit is easily reached via a short scramble up a steep gradient. Once on the top the views over Llyn y Gadair, Llyn Gair and back to the Mawddach Estuary are very impressive.
We did intend to make our way over to Mynydd Moel but left that summit for another day - instead we made our way down the scree slopes of the Foxes Path. Care needs to be taken down this path, particularly on a wet day as accidents can happen with loose rock hurtling down the mountain side. We took our time getting down today and before we knew it we emerged at the hotel at Y Gwernan for a nice cold drink.
Once suitably refreshed we took a different route back to Kings Youth Hostel, this time on the other side of the Gwynant and this, like the outward journey was a lovely stroll through beautiful countryside.
Cadair Idris from Abergwynant
Abergwynant Caravan Site - the start of the walk
The ridge of Pared-y-Cefn-hir
Carnedd Lwyd
The start of the Pony Path
Looking back down the Pony Path
Approaching the path junction - the Pony Path moves left at the top of the ridge
Looking to Cyfrwy (The Saddle)
Looking back down the Pony Path towards Carnedd Lwyd - the path junction is to the right
Penygadair, the summit of the mountain is ahead
Getting closer....
A magnificent sight - Cyfrwy (The Saddle)
Llyn y Gadair
Summit Trig Point now in sight
Penygadair, the summit of Cadair Idris
Llyn y Gadair and Llyn Gair from the summit
Descending the Foxes Path
The summit from the Foxes Path
Looking back up the Foxes Path
Heading down to Gwernan
Y Gwernan - opens at 3 o'clock and that is what time we arrived!
Where's my water??
A final look back at Cadair Idris
The woodland path along the Gwynant near Kings Youth Hostel