Sar Lou Adventures

Cadair Idris, Penygadair and The Saddle via the Pony Path 893m/2,929ft

Cadair Idris has been in my sights for a while. Having not been out into the mountains since my Tryfan scramble in May due to a hectic festival season gigging schedule, I was desperate to blow off the cobwebs on my hiking boots. A Welsh Marilyn, and being only 70ft short of being classified as one of the Welsh 3000’s, Cadair Idris is famous for being on of the best hikes in Eryri (Snowdonia). With dramatic, panoramic views emerging within a short distance of the Ty Nant carpark, this hike has so much to give aside from the classic trig-slap.

Cadair Idris rises to 893m (2,930ft) and is the highest mountain in southern Eryri. The name translates roughly as ‘Idris’s Chair’, traditionally linked to Idris, a giant, warrior and astronomer from Welsh legend who supposedly used the mountain as his throne.

The Pony Path is one of the classic routes up Cadair Idris. Despite the name, it’s certainly not a gentle stroll. It was historically used by pack animals carrying goods up and over the mountain, and the route climbs steadily from Ty Nant towards the summit ridge. Now the Pony path features a quad and knee-shredding 300m rock step ascent that starts quickly and continues up to the base of Cyfrwy (The Saddle), one of 3 prominent peaks in the Cadair Idris ridge. At 811m, The Saddle is a large boulder field with spectacular views of Llyn Cau and towards Mynydd Moel and the summit of Penygadair. From here on, the landscape opens up in every direction, with steep slopes dropping away into the surrounding valleys and some seriously impressive views across the mountains and hills of southern Eryri.

At the summit sits Llyn Cau, a dramatic glacial lake surrounded by the steep scree cliffs of Cadair Idris. The lake occupies a classic corrie carved out by glaciers during the last Ice Age, making the landscape here a brilliant example of glacial geology.

If you love your Celtic folklore this mountain has got it in droves. Spending the night in Idris’ chair is a risky venture for wild campers or fallen hikers, with anyone who sleeps overnight on Cadair Idris will either wake up an inspired poet, completely insane, or not wake up at all. The high slopes are also home to Gwyn ap Nudd, the lord of the Celtic underworld (Annwn) who gathers human souls here accompanied by his spectral hounds. Thankfully, I managed to come down with my sanity and my camera intact!

10.8km out and back, plenty of elevation, spectacular views and one very satisfying Welsh mountain ticked off. Cobwebs thoroughly blown off.