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Minffordd > Craig Cwm Amarch
> Pen y Gader > Mynydd Moel >
Minffordd
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Distance: 5 3/4miles
(9.5Km)
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Height Gain: 3005 ft (917
m)
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Overview Cadair Idris just fails to
reach the 3000ft mark, but don't let this put you off. The
ascent to its 2930 ft summit is every bit a match for the
giants of Snowdon and the Carneddau
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Maps: Ordnance Survey OL 23
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 4
Technicality: 3
Photogenicness: 4
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Start Point: SH
732 115 -
Minffordd
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Cadair Idris just fails to reach the 3000ft mark, but don't let this
put you off. The ascent to its 2930 ft summit is every bit a match
for the giants of Snowdon and the Carneddau. Cadair Idris stands
alone in southern Snowdonia, towering above the surrounding
countryside and ringed by some of the most impressive cliffs in
Britain. This walk follows the traditional Minffordd track to the
summit of Pen Y Gader, then continues along the north side to Mynydd
Moel before dropping back down again to Cwm Cau and returning to the
car park.
Section 1 - Dol Idris car park to Craig Cwm Amarch
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Length: 2.1miles (
3.4Km)
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Height Gain: 2121 ft (
647m)
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Take the kissing gate from Dol Idris car park and
follow the tree-lined path that bears right to join a gravel track.
Bear left here and continue through another kissing gate and continue
on to a gate on your right leading into the woods.
Carry on through the woods, using wooden steps in muddy areas, to
a small stream. Cross the stream and continue uphill to the boundary
wall of the woods where a gate provides access back into the open.
Keep the stream to your right as you climb a steep section which
slowly reveals views of first Mynydd Moel and then Cwm Cau.
Pass the ruined buildings on your left and continue ahead, before
aiming for an obvious boggy depression. As you approach the bog, take
the left hand path past a series of large boulders- again on your
left. At the large cairn take the left hand path which climbs steeply
to a stunning viewing "platform" high above Llyn Cau.
The path continues to climb, following a line of cairns, before
levelling slightly as Craig Cwm Amarch comes into view on your left.
The main ridge now continues north, over Craig Cwm Amarch with
Cwm Cau below to your right and the summit of Pen Y Gader ahead..
Section 2 - Craig Cwm Amarch to Mynydd Moel
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Length: Length: 1.8miles (2.9
Km)
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Height Gain: 863 ft
(263m)
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From Craig Cwm Amarch follow the well-marked path north
west along the edge of the ridge, giving the cliffs to your right a
particularly wide berth in winter as huge cornices often overhang the
1000ft drop.
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Craig Cwm Amarch from the
shores of Llyn Cau - Alex Roddie
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The path leads you over Craig Cau then drops slightly to
Bwlch Cau, and a large boulder chute to your right. The path trends
north east on the final steep uphill approach to Pen Y Gader,
the summit of Cadair Idris. and is joined by the Pony Track coming in
from the east as it reaches the final short zig zag that leads to the
summit shelter.
From the summit the path now follows the northern side of Cadair
Idris, with Cwm Cau and llyn Cau again on your right. The path drops
350 ft before climbing again to approach the summit of Mynydd
Moel at 2810ft.
Section 3 - Mynydd Moel to Dol Idris car park
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Length: 2.0 miles (3.1
Km)
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Height Gain: Height Gain: 21ft
(7m)
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From the summit of Mynydd Moel continuing along the path for
about 500 metres before turning right. Shortly after you are joined
by the path from the north east corner of the ridge. The path
continues down to a stile in the wall ahead, then over a furthe stile
on your right.
A final stile on your left leads you across the flank of
Moelfryn and back to the Nant Cadair. All that remains
now is the walk back through the woods as you retrace your outward
steps. Finally you drop down out of this ancient woodland to the car
park at Dol Idris.
