Long-ARS to Cader Idris on Saturday

Saturday September 8th

Will Williams is leading this Cader Idris walk . Will is camping in the vicinity of the walk so would walkers please confirm they are going by phoning him on 07474209501.
I imagine that phone signal is poor/non existent in that valley so I will be grateful for a volunteer to assemble troops in Audlem. I aim to start the walk around 10am from the Dol Idris car park.

Meet at 8am in Audlem carpark

The journey will take approximately 2 hours ( I suggest going via A494 through Whitchurch and Bala) to the start point at Dol Idris (Minfford) car park – pay and display. Free toilets available.

Walk description:-

Map: OL23 – Distance: approximately 13km

Terrain: Rocky and grassy mountain, some steep ascents and descents. Mainly good, maintained paths but some short sections could be boggy in wet conditions. Some of the best views in Wales on a clear day.

Dogletai: Sheep roam the mountain. On the recce they were only encountered on the way down.

The route goes up the most popular Minfford path, which goes straight and steeply up from the car park, with good paths and steps. It starts in forest, goes around the stunning Llyn cau (optional morning dip) and up the west ridge to a tease of a false summit at 791m.

There's the option to linger here admiring the superb views, and passing on the 1km there and back section to the summit Penygadair (893m).

Returning to the cairn, we go west along craig-cwm-amarch, following the fence line, and then splitting West from it to follow the natural shoulder down to the ruined farmhouse at Pencoed.

From there it's a fairly easy traverse around the mountain via a picturesque and less well trod valley route to Rhiwogof.

A nice descent with some wooded sections and views over the lake Tal-y-llyn then takes us down to Pentre farm.

Finally it's a fairly level 2km back via farm track to the car park, passing the Minfford tea rooms, that I can vouch to an excellent cream tea, and has clean toilets and wifi. It also has some visitor exhibits exploring the natural and historical features of Cadair Idris. I cannot vouch for these.

NB All walkers must have suitable footwear and be prepared for adverse weather, carry food and water to last for the entire walk and be suitably fit for the various lengths of walk.

Non-members of ARS are welcome to come on a walk but are expected to join ARS and pay the membership fee after a trial walk or two.

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