Mountain (Hewitt), Nuttall, Marilyn & OS Trig Point Icon

Cadair Idris (Penygadair)
892m (2929ft)

The Cadair Idris Area, Snowdonia, Gwynedd, Wales

The summit of Cadair Idris (Penygadair) is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.

The Fox's Path route up Cadair Idris (Penygadair) climbs through steep and loose scree. Whilst not technically difficult, it is not recommended in thick weather.


Record Cadair Idris (Penygadair) as Bagged, Climbed & Conquered


Welsh Mountain Icon

Welsh Mountain
18th highest in Wales,
27th in England & Wales

Welsh Nuttall Icon

Welsh Nuttall
20th highest in Wales,
32nd in England & Wales

Welsh Marilyn Icon

Welsh Marilyn
9th highest in Wales,
247th highest in Great Britain

Welsh Trig Point Icon


Welsh Trig Point (Pillar)

Walk Cadair Idris (Penygadair) walking UK Mountains in The Cadair Idris Area Snowdonia National Park Gwynedd, Wales

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) Summit

Photo: Harry Monks

You can find Cadair Idris (Penygadair) & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)

Snowdonia National Park


1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):

OL23 Cadair Idris & Bala Lake/Llyn Tegid


1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):

124 Dolgellau & Porthmadog


See Cadair Idris (Penygadair) and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:

See Cadair Idris (Penygadair) and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Map:


You can walk to the top of Cadair Idris (Penygadair) by using any of these 6 easy‑to‑follow route maps:
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Walk gw142 Cadair Idris (Penygadair) via The Minffordd Path

Just spectacular

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 6ml (9.5km)
Ascent:3,218ft (981m)
Time:5½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk gw156 Cadair Idris (Penygadair) via The Fox's Path

Truly spectacular - short but very steep way up Cadair Idris

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 6ml (9.5km)
Ascent:2,609ft (975m)
Time:5 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk gw123 Cadair Idris (Penygadair) Cyfrwy and Craig Cwm Amarch from Llanfihangel-y-pennant

Less arduous but longer way up Idris's Chair

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 10.5ml (17km)
Ascent:3,627ft (1,105m)
Time:7½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk gw152 Cadair Idris (Penygadair), Mynydd Moel, Cyfrwy and Gau Craig via The Pony Path

The busy way up Cadair Idris - the quiet way down

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 11.25ml (18.5km)
Ascent:3,558ft (1,084m)
Time:7.75hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk gw137 Cadair Idris (Penygadair), Mynydd Moel, Craig Cwm Amarch and Cyfrwy via The Fox's Path

Truly spectacular - one for the adventurous

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 9.75ml (15.5km)
Ascent:4,247ft (1,294m)
Time:7.75hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 8 Icon (Hard)
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Walk gw103 Cadair Idris (Penygadair), Cyfrwy and Gau Graig via The Minffordd Path

Simply spectacular

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 10.5ml (17km)
Ascent:4,060ft (1,237m)
Time:8 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 8 Icon (Hard)

Other walkers who hiked, climbed, bagged and summited Cadair Idris (Penygadair) Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Hugh Towns walked up Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on September 13th, 2023 [from/via/route] Pony Path [weather] Sunny

Sion Britton climbed Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on May 20th, 2023 [from/via/route] Rhedeg fyny yn Ras y Gader 2023. [with] Solo [weather] Braf iawn

Melfyn Parry bagged Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on October 13th, 2022 [from/via/route] Started walk from car park at SH732115 & followed well signposted path over the river & past the visitor centre before ascending through woodland up steep stone steps. Path continues steeply upwards & then forks to the right at SH721123 to Llyn Can which is well worth a visit. Retrace steps & then fork right to rejoin Minffordd path at SH720123. Path continues steeply upwards to gain the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch. From here path is well defined to head towards Cadair Idris. Turned left at SH708127 to join Pony Path which descends gradually & follows edge of cliffs to then rise slowly to summit of Cyfrwy. From here retrace steps to then continue on Pony Path to summit of Cadair Idris. From here the route to Mynydd Moel is visible & an easy walk. From here there is a steep descent before following a fence line to where it joins another fence coming from the right, cross over stile & follow path to corner of fence & pop over tp reach cairns at summit of Gau Graig. From here head in a southerly direction to reach fence at SH744138, path here is very steep in places before levelling out & path turns right at corner of fence at SH751140 & then descends almost back to A487 before turning sharp right & continues down to finish the walk at the lay by at SH753135. Approx total distance is 12.6Km & took nearly 6 hours. [with] On my own [weather] A sunny, dry day & pleasantly warm at times, got a bit chilly on the summit of Cadair Idris & warmed up again on descent. Hardly any breeze. - An really enjoyable walk with stunning views. Straight forward route, challenging ascents as path in parts are quite steep.

Stephanie Doyle hiked Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on February 27th, 2022 [from/via/route] Pony path [with] Nieces and son 14,12 and 8 [weather] Cold, clear & bursts of fog - Easy path to follow

Iain Ballard summited Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on September 2nd, 2020 [weather] windy to begin with then sunny

Tracy Lewis conquered Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on November 26th, 2020 [from/via/route] Minyffordd path [with] Hannah and Susie [weather] Cloudy & mizzle at the top

Andy Buxton scaled Cadair Idris (Penygadair) during April, 1989 [from/via/route] Mynffordd path [with] St Clements Bog-Trotters [weather] Sunny/showers - Snow on top

Angela Moroney walked up Cadair Idris (Penygadair) during 2017 [with] 3PEAKS

Dale Tyler climbed Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on August 18th, 2019 [from/via/route] After a day up Snowdon via Crib Goch, stopped at Cadair Idris on the way home. Just me, Jason & Alex left; managed to kill off Sean & Lambert the day before. Did the loop (3 tops) from the Minffordd Path [with] Jason, Alex, (Sean and Lambert left in van!) [weather] Another gusty day on the tops & ridges - Beautiful wooded section with waterfalls at the start of the walk & perhaps the best sausage rolls I've ever had at the visitor centre when we finished!

Darin Torrance bagged Cadair Idris (Penygadair) on July 21st, 2018 [from/via/route] Visitor Center Minnfford path [weather] Cloud rain - Hard days walk

To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record

. . . [see more walk reports]



More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Looking west to Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the summit of Mynydd Moel

Looking west to Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the summit of Mynydd Moel

Photo: Gerald Murphy (68)

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) summit trig point

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) summit trig point

Photo: Gerald Murphy (85)

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Gau Graig summit cairn

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Gau Graig summit cairn

Photo: Allen Hudson (17)

Craig Cwm Amarch and Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Craig Cwm Amarch and Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Photo: Gerald Murphy (117)

Cliffs seen from the path between Mynydd Moel and Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Cliffs seen from the path between Mynydd Moel and Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Photo: Gerald Murphy (73)

Looking back to Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the Pony Path to Cyfrwy

Looking back to Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the Pony Path to Cyfrwy

Photo: Gerald Murphy (92)

The Cadair Idris (penygadair) massif from the summit of Waun-oer

The Cadair Idris (penygadair) massif from the summit of Waun-oer

Photo: Mike Walker (409)

Ladder stile on the summit of Tyrrau Mawr (Craig-las) with Cyfrwy (The Saddle) and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) in the background

Ladder stile on the summit of Tyrrau Mawr (Craig-las) with Cyfrwy (The Saddle) and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) in the background

Photo: Mike Walker (387)

Craig Cwm Amarch and Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Craig Cwm Amarch and Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Photo: Gerald Murphy (118)

Cairn/shelter on Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Cairn/shelter on Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Photo: Allen Hudson (10)

Mynydd Moel and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Cyfrwy

Mynydd Moel and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Cyfrwy

Photo: Gerald Murphy (97)

Looking down Bwlch Cau from Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Looking down Bwlch Cau from Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Photo: Allen Hudson (12)

Ann on a windy climb up Cadair Idris (Penygadair) -  should have chosen a better day

Ann on a windy climb up Cadair Idris (Penygadair) - should have chosen a better day

Photo: Brian Dexter (8)

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Cyfrwy summit cairn

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Cyfrwy summit cairn

Photo: Harry Monks (9)

The Minffordd Path, Craig Cau and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Craig Cwm Amarch

The Minffordd Path, Craig Cau and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Craig Cwm Amarch

Photo: John Mash (5)

Craig Cwm Amarch from Cadair Idris (Penygadair) summit

Craig Cwm Amarch from Cadair Idris (Penygadair) summit

Photo: Gerald Murphy (83)

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Cyfrwy

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from Cyfrwy

Photo: Harry Monks (10)

Mynydd Moel and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the Pony Path near Cyfrwy summit

Mynydd Moel and Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the Pony Path near Cyfrwy summit

Photo: Chris Sillett (7)

Cyfrwy with Barmouth beyond from the top of Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Cyfrwy with Barmouth beyond from the top of Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

Photo: Paul Hancock (1)

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch

Cadair Idris (Penygadair) from the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch

Photo: Gerald Murphy (114)


. . . see all 84 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Cadair Idris (Penygadair)


Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Cadair Idris (Penygadair)

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