LUOAC - Cadair Idris

Cadair Idris is as far south as the OAC usually goes in Wales, at the southern end of Snowdonia. The hills in this area have dramatic cliffs, although the walks are mainly on grassy hillsides. So you can have a not-too-hard walk but still have spectacular views.

Cadair Idris and Llyn Cau below

The most popular starting point is on the north side, near Dolgellau, where the old pony tracks zig-zag up the hillside to the summit. But for more interesting walks, another starting place is Minfford, on the south, where the Cadair Horsheshoe can be walked.

The summit and its ridges surround the small Llyn Cau lake, with 300-metre cliffs down from the summits - the lake is at 450 metres, and the Penygadair summit above it is 893 metres.

The Penygadair summit from Mynydd Moel

Once on the summit ridge, the paths, though high-level, are fairly easy, so there's chance to see the views if the weather's clear. The views stretch in all directions - the rest of Snowdonia, including Snowdon, to the north; Barmouth Bay and the Irish Sea to the west, the Mid-Wales fells to the south, and the smaller Berwyn range to the east.

Approaching the Cadair Idris ridge from Craig Cwm Amarch

As an alternative to the horseshoe, another route is up the steep valley from the Tal-y-Llyn lake, which comes up to the top of the cliffs, with extra views to Barmouth and the Corris Uchaf valley to the south.

Tal-y-Llyn lake and the Corris Uchaf valley

Pubs

There is a hotel at Minfford, south of Cadair Idris, but they don't like muddy boots. Dolgellau is a large townnearby, and has pubs and cafés.

Maps

Cadair Idris is covered by these maps:

OS Outdoor Leisure (scale 1:25,000) 23 : Snowdonia - Cadair Idris & Bala Lake
OS Landranger (scale 1:50,000) 124 : Porthmadog & Dolgellau