Shrouded in myths and poetry, southern Snowdonia’s highest mountain is a much beloved local character. Hiking up Cader Idris provides you with breathtaking views thanks to its multiple jagged ridgelines and proximity to Barmouth and the Irish Sea.

Standing on Cader Idris’ Penygadair summit, you’ll find scree underfoot, a cairn and a trig point at 2,930 feet (893 m). The mountain has several other, lower, summits if your stomach starts rumbling and you fancy a good sandwich stop.

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Cader Idris National Nature Reserve

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Location: Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant, Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Penygadair summit, Cadair Idris

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2,965

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

10.5km

05:09

850m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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4.2

(65)

278

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2. Cadair Idris & Llyn y Gader loop on the Pony Path — Snowdonia National Park

8.82km

03:32

690m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.9

(30)

230

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3. View of Cadair Idris Ridge – Summit of Cadair Idris loop from Tŷ Nant

9.64km

04:11

700m

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Hard

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Trail Magazine

December 13, 2019

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 peak shrouded in myth. Its name, meaning ‘Chair of Idris’, derives from the Welsh legend of a giant who created a mountainous seat for stargazing.

Tom

April 29, 2019

Cadair Idris is a small range of mountains, well worth a look by any active hiker. The climb is relentless but you are rewarded with some cracking views. Personally, I prefer these views to some of the 3000s. The views from the cairn are fantastic if it's a clear day. If it's raining then take shelter in the small hut nearby. From the west side of the Cadair Idris range, the views out to the Irish sea are unbeatable.

Sebastian Kowalke

January 15, 2018

Cader Idris is not the very highest mountain, at 892 meters high - but it starts from near sea level, and it offers a truly breathtaking panorama of the southern part of Snowdonia. The highest peak of the Cader Idris ridge is called Penygadair; you can find a small shelter near the highest point.

On both sides of the ridge are beautiful lakes, each surrounded by steep rock cliffs. You can swim in them, although you need a cast-iron constitution to do so!

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Elevation 940 m

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Tuesday 20 January

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Max wind speed: 30.0 km/h

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Location: Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant, Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Penygadair summit, Cadair Idris

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

2. Cadair Idris & Llyn y Gader loop on the Pony Path — Snowdonia National Park

3. View of Cadair Idris Ridge – Summit of Cadair Idris loop from Tŷ Nant

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