Snowdon | Snowdonia, Wales There are four routes up Cadair Idris including Pony Path, Fox's Path, Llanfihangel Path and the more spectacular Minffordd Path which we opted for. Cadair Idris is well worth the effort as it has dramatic scenery, good views (when it is clear) and good paths. Paths to the summit of Cadair Idris - Cadair Idris Wales Grade - mod/hard. One of my boyfriend's friends had been trying to get a group of us to go away on a hiking trip for a long time now and after voting on dates when everyone was available and it was then time to decide on Better than Mount Snowdon - Review of Cader Idris ... Mountain walk in Snowdonia makes Pen y Fan look like 'a ... Snowdonia At 893 m (2,930 ft), Cader (or Cadair) Idris is the highest mountain in southern Snowdonia. The peaks are Pen y Gadair, which forms the head of the chair; Cyfrwy, the saddle; and Mynydd Moel . There are over 2000 square kilometres of National Park to explore - one of the largest in the UK. Cadair Idris - Snowdonia - Guided Walks - Authentic Snowdonia Having done Snowdon a few time decided on walking Cadair Idris via the Minffirdd path. Distance: 9.8km (6.1 miles) Ascent: 830m (2,723ft) Start/finish: Rhyd Ddu Cadair Idris. See our description, photos and practical information for Cadair Idris and join in with our trekking and hiking forums to find out why we think so! It was part of event know as the Snowdon 500 Welsh Three Peaks Challenge, and was a charity event in aid of Prostate . Cadair Idris. The other mountain hike: Cadair Idris, Gwynedd. Snowdon is to the right of the image and opposite on the left is Garnedd Ugain, a peak just 20m lower than Snowdon itself. Known as Pen Y Gadair, the summit of Cadair Idris truly is a wonder to behold. 8. It is a poor man's equivalent only because it is 500 foot lower. Cadair Idris, Craig Lwyd and Tal-y-Llyn Circular is a 6.8 mile loop trail located near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Cadair Idris could be one of the toughest climbs in Wales (Image: Hayley Lewis)Keen hikers claim there is a hike in Snowdonia even harder than the popular Pen-y-Fan trail. Hiking Nature trips Walking Bird watching Running Lake River Views Wildflowers Wildlife. The parking at the base was £6. We made the trig point (penygadair - the highest point) at around 12.25pm and again took a couple of pictures. The two peaks that complete this challenge are Snowdon to the north and Pen-y-Fan to the south. With breath-taking views of the Welsh landscape and coastline stretching as far as the eye can see, the "Head of the Chair" is a stellar point to finish a climb, but the best way to tackle it is up to you. The steps going through the woodlands are quite steep and the scenery is excellent. Grade. The Miners' Track is a good option for tired legs as it starts off steady, but more than makes up for it later! At the southern end of Snowdonia National Park, near the town of Dolgellau, is Cadair Idris. Cader Idris: Better than Mount Snowdon - See 515 traveler reviews, 473 candid photos, and great deals for Dolgellau, UK, at Tripadvisor. There is a reason this is the most famous of all Lake District scrambles. Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km. We want everyone to enjoy their challenge and reach the summit in their own time so will walk at a pace suitable for the whole group. The second stage cycle is shorter! Pen Y Fan to Cadair Idris = 2.5 hours Peak 2 Cadair Idris Height: 893m /2929ft Start time: 9am onwards Walking time: Approximately 6 hours (dependent on fitness levels) Drive: Cadair Idris to Llanberis = 1.5hours Sunday 19th May Peak 3 Mount Snowdon Height: 1085m /3559ft Start time: from 7am- 11.30am Walking time: Approximately 5 hours Cadair Idris and the Tarrens - in the southern end of the National Park. experience, a strong head for heights and solid grounding in basic rope technique. This is an area of vast forests and pathless miles of moorland, where the great valleys of the Dwyryd, Mawddach and Dysynni form . Snowdon Snowdonia, Wales. The problem of making an ascent, and perhaps more importantly, a safe descent of Cadair Idris (Cader Idris), yr Wŷddfa (Snowdon) and far less frequently, Pumlumon (Plunlimon) was facilitated by employing a guide, some of whom were semi-professional and advertised their services. Cadair Idris is one of the three Welsh peaks that make up the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge. Some maintain that Idris was a national hero, killed in battle against the Saxons round about 630 A.D. 9.2 Km / 6 Miles. The mountain is a collection of three peaks which are said to form the "chair of Idris". From the north, the massive craggy escarpment of Cadair Idris looms forbiddingly above the landscape, an intimidating long ridge . Posted 2 . Cadair Idris. No one is certain where the name Cader Idris (Idris' chair) originates. (Snowdon) in the North and Cadair Idris in the South. Walking Distance. After hearing about the views all over Snowdonia National Park, Cadair Idris located in the southern end of this gorgeous 823 m² / 2132 km² area in Wales has always been on our list of hikes to do in the UK. At the opposite end of Snowdonia National Park to Snowdon, mystery-steeped Cadair Idris might be the next-most popular mountain traverse in Wales, but the walk appears comparatively deserted. Cadair Idris is a relatively easy walk (try the Pony track) but affords some of the best 360 degree views in Snowdonia with the Barmouth estuary and beaches to the West, the Snowdonia range to the North and mid Wales to the Brecon Beacons in the South. 3. Cycle Stage 2. Life - and business - it's all about planning but also about having the agility to respond to changes quickly. The parking at the base was £6. In fact Facebook group Walking in Wales agree that Cadair Idris is one of the best albeit most . Cadair Idris Walk - Our Thoughts. Cadair Idris is a relatively easy walk (try the Pony track) but affords some of the best 360 degree views in Snowdonia with the Barmouth estuary and beaches to the West, the Snowdonia range to the North and mid Wales to the Brecon Beacons in the South. The thought of getting off a bike after this long, to then climb Cadair Idris is the hardest part, as I personally think that Cadair Idris is a harder climb than Snowdon or Pen y Fan! Consider - if I google 'Routes up Cadair Idris from the North', I get several reputable websites pointing me towards the Pony Path, with route description, maps, distance, ascent, and a time estimate. Cadair Idris consists of a massive 11km long ridge and although only the 19th highest mountain in Wales, is the second most popular mountain in the country after Mount Snowdon. Our return is via a steep grassy path south to pick up the Minfforrd path once again for the final 0.5km to the start point. The walk to the summit of Mount Snowdon in Wales has been named the busiest 1km2 grid square by the Ordnance Survey. It also has plenty to challenge you if the weather is bad, so do not think it is any less serious than Snowdon. These include "Cader Idris" ("Cadair Idris") and the "Rhinogs" ("Rhinogydd") to the south. Distance: 9.8km (6.1 miles) Ascent: 830m (2,723ft) Start/finish: Rhyd Ddu Rhinogydd - spectacular heather growth makes for some hard walking - inland from Harlech. Reviewed July 11, 2021 via mobile. Image caption, Cadair Idris is known locally as Cader Idris. Hiking Cadair Idris. The name is due to the fact that they are the highest peaks in South Wales, Mid Wales, and North Wales respectively, at 2,907ft, 2,930ft and 3,560 ft respectively. The Welsh Three Peaks are Pen Y Fan, Cadair Idris, and Snowdon. Without a doubt Cadair Idris is a great alternative to Snowdon and I will certainly be back and hopefully with better weather to see the views. Nat Park - Snowdonia - Cadair Idris. Time - 5 hours 50 minutes. At about 3 miles, this is probably the shortest footpath up Cader Idris; although it involves the greatest ascent (2,850ft, 869m). Length 6.8 miElevation gain 3,083 ftRoute type Loop. One of my boyfriend's friends had been trying to get a group of us to go away on a hiking trip for a long time now and after voting on dates when everyone was available and it was then time to decide on While considered a safer hike than Snowdonia, Cadair Idris is still a very strenuous climb that inexperienced hikers should avoid. The Cadair Idris walk is a 10.1km loop. It's the highest mountain in Southern Snowdonia and Climbing Snowdon was very much on the list by way of a hike to Cadair Idris. Arans and Arenigs - lesser-known ranges between Dolgellau and Bala. Getty Images. Outside of the Snowdon massif, the main ranges in Snowdonia are the Glyderau, Carneddau, Rhinoggs, Moelwyns and the mountains around Cadair Idris. The reason I chose Cadair is because of the close proximity it has to our base in Wales . It's a popular peak to conquer - here's our guide to walking up Cader. Time to Walk: 8 hours. Author - Lou Johnson. Cader Idris has a number of choices, with the Minffordd Path being the better but harder route than the Pony Path. With its captivating views across the sands and marshes that adorn its path, the dramatic . Outcry over tourists using Snowdon 'as a toilet'. This mountain falls just short of 3000 feet, so doesn't make it onto the revered list of . Having done Snowdon a few time decided on walking Cadair Idris via the Minffirdd path. Snowdon has too many choices, but the shortest is the PYG track. Before travelling, please check the Snowdonia National Park website or their Twitter feed @visitsnowdonia for the latest information on visiting, parking and conditions. Campaigners said the mess was "disgusting", and they have called for more wardens and better signage. Cadair Idris from Minffordd Introduction to Walk 1204. Some say he was a local giant, but he would have needed to be hundreds of metres high to sit astride the col between Craig Cau and Pen y Gadair, the obvious places for a skyscraper-sized horse rider. Which is harder Scafell Pike or Snowdon? Cadair is a 10km walk that can easily be done in one day, but I planned to split it in two, leaving mid afternoon with time enough to reach the top and camp before dark. Cader Idris: Better than Mount Snowdon - See 515 traveler reviews, 473 candid photos, and great deals for Dolgellau, UK, at Tripadvisor. Cadair Idris is formed from a complexly fractured and folded pile of both sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks of Ordovician age. Idris himself was a giant, poet, philosopher and one-time ruler of Meironydd, the historic term for the surrounding hilly region. Flora and fauna Tourists have been accused of using Snowdon "as a toilet" and dumping rubbish on the mountain. We paused between the Llyn Peninsula and our final push down the west coast of Wales back to . Also this route takes you through lovely waterfalls and rivers with beautiful purple heathers. Walking further up the path becomes steep and quite tough - however when you get to the first stop looking . Cader Idris from Minffordd - Idris Gates and Minffordd path. The favourites are all here - the Snowdon Horseshoe, North Ridge of Tryfan, Bristly But there is so much more to hiking in Snowdonia than Snowdon. Ascent - 2885 feet / 874 metres . 3 answers. The name Cadair Idris translates as Idris's Chair because of the mountain's saddle shape. Now it's a much better route guide than you'd get from a forum response. The National Park of Snowdonia is far bigger than Snowdon itself, and stretches far to the south to include several more mountain ranges, including the Moelwyns, Rhinogs, Arans, and of course the stunning massif of Cadair Idris. The Miners' Track is a good option for tired legs as it starts off steady, but more than makes up for it later! Is Cadair Idris harder than Pen y Fan? It's a steep walk for almost the entire time, but it's much shorter than the longer circular route. It lies at the southern end of the Snowdonia National Park near the town of Dolgellau.The peak, which is one of the most popular in Wales for walkers and hikers, is composed largely of Ordovician igneous rocks, with classic glacial erosion features such as cwms . 8. Is Cadair Idris harder than Snowdon? Now it's a much better route guide than you'd get from a forum response. Wales Expedition Network - Snowdonia Expedition Area information The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a Registered Charity No: 1072490, and in Scotland No: SC038254, and a Royal Walking the Minfford path up Cadair Idris is like walking Pen y Fan 3+ times consecutively. Staying overnight on the peak is definitely not a good idea, as the small shelter is exposed and could be dangerous in bad weather. Snowdon was a long drag up the Llanberis Path, very busy as you got nearer the top and then down the Rangers Path which was quite a lot more technical than Cadair but a cracking ride. Cader Idris: Better than Snowdon - See 515 traveller reviews, 473 candid photos, and great deals for Dolgellau, UK, at Tripadvisor. At 893 metres in height, Cadair Idris is an iconic mountain, second only to Mount Snowdon in popularity but due to the numbers on Snowdon this is the one to climb if you only have time or energy for one mountain day. Southern Snowdonia's highest mountain is as versatile in its route offerings as it is in its scenery. Cader Idris is a mountain in the historic county of Meirionnydd, Wales (or Gwynedd council area for local government purposes). Cadair Idris is one of the top walks in United Kingdom, Wales, Snowdonia, and one of the world's best walk, treks, hikes and climbs. The titan of southern Snowdonia, Cadair idris is a peak steeped in legend that offers serene views of the stunning Mawddach estuary, as well as the pristine glacial lake of Llyn Cau. There is a good guide to the paths up Cadair Idris here and if you looking for a Mountain Leader then I would definitely recommend Mountain Wonders. Cadair Idris was far harder going than Snowdon with its rougher ground and steeper tracks. This Snowdonia walk approaches Cadair Idris from the south and includes a circuit of Cwm Cau. The main path to the summit of Cadair Idris is the Pony Path from Ty Nant. In all there are more than 90 summits over 2000ft and 15 over 3000m. Cadair Idris is another highly popular hiking destination in Snowdonia, with 3 main routes to the top. It's locally known as Cader Idris rather than Cadair, but either may be used. Cadair Idris (Idris's Chair) stands at the very south of the Snowdonia National Park,it is the 2nd heighest outside of the main Snowdonia Mountain Range,and the 18th heighest in Wales but because it stands alone,it looks and feels alot bigger than that of the peaks further north. We had a fabulous walk taking the hard / strenuous path with 10 year old 14 year old, a small dog and grandparents (fit/active). It's a 97 mile route right through the National Park, from Machynlleth in the south, near Cadair Idris, all the way north past Snowdon to finish in Conwy. The trail stays low-level, aiming for the valleys, forests and passes rather than the peaks, and therefore is accessible for people who love a long walk but want to admire the scenery from . The trail offers a number of activity options. About the Area - Southern Snowdonia. 780 metres. Ascent. Moderate / hard - 10 miles. Expect stunning views and epic ridgelines. If you want to find out more including how to get involved, visit the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge. Cadair Idris lies on the southern side of The Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd, Wales. Less arduous but longer way up Idris's Chair A less frequented approach to the summit of Cadair Idris that avoids some of the crowds. I am expecting to be getting back on the bike around 8-10 hours into the challenge. D uring our walk, we learned to plan but also to adapt and change depending on the conditions. So why not try Cadair Idris (893 mts) in the south of Snowdonia, which has a similar beautiful horseshoe shape, so can be walked in a circular loop, has stunning views and no railway or cafe so there won't be quite as many people following you up. Consider - if I google 'Routes up Cadair Idris from the North', I get several reputable websites pointing me towards the Pony Path, with route description, maps, distance, ascent, and a time estimate. The titan of southern Snowdonia, Cadair idris is a peak steeped in legend that offers serene views of the stunning Mawddach estuary, as well as the pristine glacial lake of Llyn Cau. Cadair Idris, not far from Barmouth or Dolgellau, offers some of the best hillwalking routes in Wales. The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge is typically made up of three of the highest and most iconic mountains in Wales: Snowdon, Wales' tallest peak and the highest point in Britain outside the Scottish highlands; Cader Idris, a spectacular peak at the southerly edge of Snowdonia National Park; and Pen y Fan, the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. Cadair Idris via the Minffordd Path is a classic Snowdonia route that is well worth the effort of the steep climb. Cadair Idris means Giant's Chair and legend has that the giant used the mountain as an . Cader Idris has a number of choices, with the Minffordd Path being the better but harder route than the Pony Path. Cadair Idris Descent. The steps going through the woodlands are quite steep and the scenery is excellent. Cader IdrisThe summit, Penygadair (Top of the Chair) at 2,927 feet (892m), offers a superb panorama of mountain scenery. Cadair BW is an up and down the hard techy frontside is footpath only….Its doable - even in snow - last winter we biked 2/3 up and walked last third - down was almost 80m % rideable.. County/Area - Gwynedd. Located near Machynlleth Powys in Wales, the trail is common among hikers and mountain walkers. Cadair BW is an up and down the hard techy frontside is footpath only….Its doable - even in snow - last winter we biked 2/3 up and walked last third - down was almost 80m % rideable..