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Walk up Cader Idris via the Pony Path

By Dave Roberts   

on April 19, 2017    4.73/5 (11)

Walk up Cader Idris via the Pony Path

Route Essentials

Route Summary

The Pony Path is the easiest and most popular route up Cader Idris.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

4.6 km

Ascent

716 m

Time

Allow five to six hours for the full walk (up and down)

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Ty Nant Car Park near Dolgellau

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

Navigation off summit in mist.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Cader Idris via the Pony Path Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Cader Idris via the Pony Path

The Walk up Cader Idris via the Pony Path is one of the more popular walks up Cader Idris in South Snowdonia.

Cader Idris is traditionally regarded as the highest peak south of Snowdon, albeit a good 12 metres lower than it’s less illustrious neighbour, Aran Fawddwy. This is a brief account of the walk up the Pony Track up Cader Idris, which is the easiest track.

However, I’ll start by suggesting quite strongly that if you are going to do one route up, that it should be the Minffordd Path as opposed to this one. Although, the views of the Cyfrwy Arete are one major point in its favour. Finally, for the record, Cader Idris is the name of the mountain while the actual summit is called Penygadair.

Please note that some people have been ending up on the wrong side of Cader Idris near Dolgellau on private land by following the post code that Google had for the Pony Path. We think this has been resolved, but ensure you use the one provided above – LL40 1TN – and ensuring you end up in the car park and not actually on the lane at the start of the path. Use this link –  Ty Nant  – in order to get directions EXACTLY to the car park

The Pony Path up Cader Idris

1 The route starts at the national park car park at Ty Nant (click for location and instructions on how to drive there), where there is a £4 fee for parking, or for those that perambulate more freely can save £2 so long as they’re up and down within four hours. It is also feasible to walk there from Dolgellau if you do not wish to drive. It’s not the largest car park, but there is an overspill car park in the nearby field that is opened at busy periods. There’s also a car park and a picnic area. Leave the car park and follow the minor road right for a 100m or so, and the route left is clearly signposted for Cader Idris.

2 Follow the track through an initially forested area, past a farm and over the footbridge before it starts to pull uphill.

3 The path now keeps to a steady and constant ascent that apart from one small section at the bwlch, it maintains to the summit. Crossing the hillside, the path is largely easy to follow, though it does become unclear in one or two places it’s nothing that a bit of observation an common sense won’t overcome. The Cyfrwy Arete dominates the view, the reserve of climbers with no easy route up.

4 Soon enough, the mountain looms large ahead, but the zig zags keep you going at the same pace as before. There’s an older path parallel, but you should follow the zig-zags as the park has closed the other path off in order to prevent further path erosion. Looking back, there are wonderful views across the Mawddach, although the river itself is hidden by hills in the near distance.

5 It’s only a 100m ascent up the zig-zags before the welcome respite of the bwlch is reached. It’s an ideal spot for snacks before the final leg to the summit. You’re also treated to extensive views across to Tyrau Mawr, Llanfihangel y pennant and of course to Cadair Idris, though admittedly not from its best angle.

Walk up Cadair Idris via the Pony Path 6 The path continues steadily upwards, with no respite and no real difficulty. Only when the path reaches the tops of the cliffs does the route get tricky in any way. It becomes rockier, with a short section of very easy scrambling that will go unnoticed by experienced hill walkers.

7 Not far beyond the scrambling, and you arrive quickly at the summit itself – or Penygadair. If the weather is particularly foul, there’s a shelter below that may be dank but protects you well from the elements. If you’re lucky, you’ll have extensive views of the Rhinogydd and Eryri to the north and the rolling hills of Mid Wales disappearing to the south.

8 The route poses no challenges in descent that have not already been mentioned, and is easy enough to follow back to the start.

It’s well worth stopping off at the Gwernan Lake Hotel for a pint or a bite to eat afterwards.

For more walks up Cader Idris, visit our All the Walking Routes up Cader Idris article.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

The Pony Path is the easiest and most popular route up Cader Idris.

This walk includes the Washi of Cadair Idris – Penygadair

This walk includes the 2 Hewitts of Cadair Idris – Penygadair, Cyfrwy

This walk includes the 2 Nuttalls of Cadair Idris – Penygadair, Cyfrwy

Route Start Location: Ty Nant Car Park near Dolgellau

Distance
Ascent
Time
4.6 km 716 m Allow five to six hours for the full walk (up and down)

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Toilets at the car park and the Gwernan Lake Hotel isn’t too far down the road. There are campsites nearby, and the YHA at Kings.

Hazards

Navigation off summit in mist.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : LL40 1TN

Parking available at the Ty Nant car park.

Public Transport:

None to the start of the walk, though a bus service the 28 Dolgellau – Tywyn can be used to get to Pont Abergwynant and add around 4km to the trip.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

More Posts by Dave Roberts

3 thoughts on “Walk up Cader Idris via the Pony Path”

  1. Is the cader idris ok to climb New Years I am staying in Dolgellau
    Obviously weather permitting
    Thanks
    Dan

  2. Hi Danny, the main limiting factor would be the snow (or ICE!). If you’re not used to walking mountains in winter, then it’s a no. If there’s no snow then it should be fine for a properly equipped group.

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