Cadair Idris Fox’s Path Walking Route

Cadair Idris Fox’s Path Walking Route Route Map and GPX Download

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Summits and Places on this Route

Cadair Idris – Penygadair (893 metres)

Places Nearby:

Llyn y Gadair Wild Camp - 1.8km
Rhiw Gwredydd Cader Idris Wild Camp - 1.9km
Cadair Idris - 2.6km
Penrhos Bothy - 9.4km
Llyn Hywel Wild Camp - 12.0km

Cadair Idris Fox’s Path Walking Route Details

The Fox’s Path walk is a less popular route up Cadair* Idris from the north, usually as the scree ascent has a bit of a reputation. However, it’s not quite as bad as some wish to make it out, but still difficult to recommend other than the excellent views from Llyn Gadair. Setting off from the Ty’n Nant car park, it takes you first on to Llyn Gwernan, and the bonus of a pub which you can enjoy at the end, and is gentle enough until you reach Llyn y Gadair. There you’ll be met with the full majesty of Cadair Idris, and slight puzzlement as to how you’re meant to reach the summit!

There’s a scree path to the left of Llyn y Gadair that’s steep and loose, but is passable with a lot of care. If you keep right, you’ll find yourself in a scree gully with steep sides that’s harder work than it needs to be!

Cadair Idris Fox’s Path Walking Route Description

1 The route starts off from the Ty Nant Car Park and a good path leads along the valley bottom waymarked for Llyn Gwernan

2 This path continues through the woodland before you take a right along a boardwalk to the minor road.

3 Continue left along the minor road as far as the Gwernan Lake Hotel where the Fox’s Path starts proper on your right.

4 The path is easy enough to follow as it ascends gently up the hillside.

5 You’ll soon reach Llyn Gafr, which makes a natural stopping point. Just be aware that Llyn y Gadair is barely 10 minutes away and makes an even better spot to enjoy a hallway snack.

6 The path now steepens as it ascends to Llyn y Gadair, where you’ll be met with the full majesty of Cadair Idris, and slight puzzlement as to how you’re meant to reach the summit! It’s far too easy to stay and admire the view. Just be aware that you’ve another 300m or so to climb, with most of that straight up.

7 Continue to the left of Llyn y Gadair along a good path, to find the start of the scree path that’s steep and loose, but is barely passable with a lot of care. If you keep right, you’ll find yourself in a scree gully with steep sides that’s harder work than it needs to be! For those with Glyderau experience, this makes the scree path from Llyn y Cwn to Glyder fawr look good. So try and keep left to find an easier line up.

8 You’ll eventually top out – if you’re lucky – and with relief you can turn right and head towards the summit – Penygadair. It can be indistinct in mist, so take care.

9 From the summit, which has a rooved shelter, we recommend descending by another route! The Pony Path returns to Ty Nant and makes a satisfying circuit.

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

Summit shelter, not much of a view!

*We’ve decided to keep the name as Cadair until it’s changed on the OS Map as it’s simply easier for people to find that way. If in doubt – we always use the wording on the OS Maps – in order to make it clearer.

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader.
Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.