Cadair Idris is named after the giant of legend who supposedly lived here; the name translates to “Chair of Idris”. It is said that he studied the stars from here, and bestows poetic inspiration to anyone hardy enough to spend the night up there.
The hike is about 5 miles in length, taking you from the base to the summit and back. There are actually three different routes to the top, each of which offers something unique to its visitors.
The two paths that most people have to decide between are the Minffordd Path and the Pony Path. The latter is a little longer, but is much more of a pleasant stroll than the Minffordd Path, which is better suited to experienced and adventurous walkers.
The Pony Path is nice and steady, close to six miles there and back, and offers a clearly defined route to the summit without any surprises. The Minffordd Path is not very well defined and is significantly steeper, but may be more “exciting” if you’re looking for a challenging walk; you’ll also get better views, including a great vista of Llyn Cau, a “bottomless” lake that’s very popular with wild swimmers. It’s your choice!
Image Source: CC by-SA 2.0 by Andrew
Image Source: CC by-SA 2.0 by Andrew Woodvine
Location
Cadair Idris is located at the South end of the Snowdonia National Park. Near to the town of Dollgellau the views the the top of this summit are spectacular. Start at the bottom of the Pony Path for an easier walk.
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