Cader Idris marks the southern most limit of
Snowdonia's mountains. This route completes a circular ridge walk of Cwm Cau and
takes in its most interesting features.
Haunting views only confirm the saying that a
night alone on Pen y Gader will either make you a poet or a madman!
Idris Gates- from the A487 between
Dlogellau and Machynlleth - 100m along the B4405 from the junction at
Minfford SN733115
The route goes up the Minffordd path from
the South East side and takes in the 3 major summits of Mynydd Pencoed
(798m), Pen y Gadair (893m) and Mynydd Moel (855m).
From the Idris Gates follow the avenue of
trees to a footbridge and further on a gate. Ascend the zig-zagging path
through the woods to level ground and then ascend along the main path to
circle into Cwn Cau. At a large cairn climb up to the left to the top of
the ridge - follow this ridge to the summit of Mynydd Pencoed and on to
Pen y Gadair and Mynydd Moel.
Carry on east from Mynnydd Moel a little
way before heading south east down a broad grass shoulder ... by keeping
close to the fence the path improves until it leads the a break in the
wall to rejoin the approach path just above a pine plantation.
