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North Wales

Gwynedd

Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant

Cadair Idris loop on the Minffordd path — Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

North Wales

Gwynedd

Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant

Cadair Idris loop on the Minffordd path — Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Hard

4.9

(415)

3,231

hikers

Cadair Idris loop on the Minffordd path — Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

05:09

10.5km

850m

Hiking

The Cadair Idris loop on the Minffordd path offers a challenging hike, covering 6.5 miles (10.5 km) with a significant elevation gain of 2776 feet (846 metres). You can expect to spend around 5 hours and 8 minutes on this difficult route. It begins with a steep climb through the…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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2.37 km

Llyn Cau

Highlight • Viewpoint

Llyn Cau has an ambience all of its own. This is a beautiful high mountain pool watched over by the frowning cliffs of Craig Cwm Amarch and Penygadair, Cadair Idris' …

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4.21 km

View of Llyn Cau from Craig Cwm Amarch

Highlight • Viewpoint

From Cwm Cau, the impressive pointed summit of Craig Cwm Amarch looks even mightier than Cadair Idris' main Penygadair summit. It is certainly the most airy summit in the massif …

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5.31 km

Penygadair summit, Cadair Idris

Highlight • Summit

Complex and striking, Cadair Idris is the Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) of southern Eryri (Snowdonia): a honeypot mountain renowned for its imperious cliffs, enticing ridges and pretty tarns. It is a …

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7.15 km

Mynydd Moel summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

The northeastern high point on the Cadair Idris massif, Mynydd Moel sees a fraction of the footfall of the main Penygadair summit. However, it's a wonderful place to gaze out …

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10.5 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

8.37 km

1.77 km

249 m

100 m

Surfaces

8.02 km

2.25 km

125 m

100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (860 m)

Lowest point (100 m)

Weather

Tuesday 23 June

30°C

16°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 31, 2023,Cadair Idris

Superb hike up Cadair Idris via the Minffordd Path to the lovely Llyn Cau. We then followed the ridge to the main summit and took in Mynydd Moel too. Glorious mountain.

June 30, 2024,🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales: Cadair Idris - Minffordd Path

Cadair Idris (chair of Idris) is the 2nd highest mountain in Wales.
We did not have the best weather, at least no rain, but the summits were in the clouds. The views at summit must be wonderful!
In case of cloudy weather without view, I would skip the second summit, it is not very spectacular.
But nevertheless, a very nice …

August 1, 2024,minffordd path loop

Stone steps the whole way up and down. Hard on knees, most amazing views

April 26, 2022,Ledge View Point – Cadair Idris Loop from Corris Uchaf

Solo hike at Grace pace with lots of snack stops and taking in the view. Ive been wanting to do this walk for so long so I made a last minute decision to do it with amazing weather conditions. Id highly recommend this walk I had amazing views and perfect conditions... was one of my faviyrites routes yet 😍 mixed …

June 9, 2022,Cadair Idris (Minffordd Horseshoe) #18

A lovely circular route! Not easy but worth it especially on a good view day!

A stop at the lake for a snack before the second steep ascent of the day is always welcome.

Following the well trodden route there are some mega views - not to mention the stories and legends that swirl about the mountain much like the …

May 27, 2023,Cadair Idris loop on the Minffordd path — Snowdonia National Park

Definitely go for a wild swim on the way up and on the way back down, cool off in the creek

April 28, 2022,Cadair Idris, loop including.. Craig cwmamarch, Craiglwyd & Mynydd Moel

If you want to miss the busy paths of snowdon then this is a good one to climb.. Hard climb starting off with what seems endless steps through a fairy woodland ... after a little gentle walk up to the lake the route takes takes you up sand up over a stunning ridge and round to Cadair.. views are amazing …

September 9, 2024,Wales: "Cadair Idris"-Gebirge: über den Minffordd-Path und den Berg "Craig Cwm Amarch" zum "Pen-y-Cadair"

The Minffordd Path is one of the classic paths to the summit ("pen") of the second highest mountain in Wales, Cadair Idris. Despite many warnings, it is easy for experienced hikers to walk, but of course you have to climb the height and for long stretches you have to watch where you are stepping with every step. And the weather …

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Cadair Idris loop on the Minffordd path — Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Llyn Cau

View of Llyn Cau from Craig Cwm Amarch

Penygadair summit, Cadair Idris

Mynydd Moel summit

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