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Cader Idris via Mynydd Moel Path

By Dave Roberts   

on July 29, 2018    4/5 (1)

Posted as a walk in – Cader Idris and Nearby Hills, Europe, Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Cader Idris via Mynydd Moel Path

Route Essentials

Route Summary

An alternative ascent up Cader Idris from Minffordd, most often used as a descent in conjunction with the Minffordd Path.

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

Distance

4.92 km

Ascent

829 m

Time

3 hours - One Way

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

Start Location

Minffordd

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

Some of the upper section is unclear and can be difficult to follow, especially in mist. Sections of the path can be loose in descent and care is needed.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office 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. 

Cader Idris via Mynydd Moel Path Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Cader Idris via Mynydd Moel Path

The Mynydd Moel Path up Cader Idris is an alternative to the more popular route up the Minffordd path with which it shares the first section. While it isn’t a classic ridge walk like the Minffordd Path, the approach via Mynydd Moel has the advantage of avoiding the crowds and with alternative views over Llyn Cau and the summit.

Cader Idris Mynydd Moel Path Route Description

1 Start the walk from the Car Park at Minffordd along a well waymarked path. Note that the mountain’s name is variously spelled Cader/Cadair Idris on signage within 10m of each other! It’s past the tea room and you’re starting on the gorge section of the walk.

Cader Idris Minffordd Path

2 The Gorge Walk is short, but steep and If nothing else, you’ll get the legs going! It’s a well built path, with steps and plenty of spots to take a breather.

Cader Idris Minffordd Path

3 Just as soon as you’re out of the gorge, the route relents and you’ll soon reach the junction with the Mynydd Moel track which is marked by a small bridge over the Nant Cadair.

4 The path isn’t as well built as the Minffordd Path, but is still clear to follow. It starts off steadily enough, before heading steeply uphill along a dry stone wall that can be steep in places. Further up, the path does become less clear to follow, and you may need care the higher you get as we found the path to be indistinct in places.

5 After a final pull, you eventually arrive at the summit of Mynydd Moel – with views opening up in all directions. The summit shelter is close to the tops of the cliffs, so has an airy feel – with a platform that the brave or foolhardy can venture onto for a bit more thrill!

6 The final section is an easy plod across the summit plateau to Cader Idris that can be a different proposition in misty conditions. The summit is marked by a trig point and a spacious, roofed shelter. You wouldn’t want to spend a planned night in the shelter, but in an emergency situation or generally typical dreich welsh conditions it’s a welcome sight!

In descent, you’ll need to take care to find the top of the path – it’s not clear from Mynydd Moel. With one section of path being loose and requiring care to descend. Those looking for a circular walk should descend via the Minffordd Path, but we recommend that the walker ascends the Minffordd Path and descends the Mynydd Moel Path for the best day out in South Snowdonia.

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:

An alternative ascent up Cader Idris from Minffordd, most often used as a descent in conjunction with the Minffordd Path.

This walk includes the 2 Washis of Cadair Idris – Penygadair, Mynydd Moel

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

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

Route Start Location: Minffordd

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
4.92 km 829 m 3 hours - One Way

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

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Toilet, Ty Te Cader cafe and the Minffordd Hotel at the walk’s start.

Hazards

Some of the upper section is unclear and can be difficult to follow, especially in mist. Sections of the path can be loose in descent and care is needed.

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 : LL36 9AJ

£3 or £6 daily.

Public Transport:

Trawscambria T2 from Machynlleth or Dolgellau (actually starting from Bangor) but only a handful daily.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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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.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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