Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path up Cadair Idris: route map, distance and time
893 m · Barmouth to Betws-y-Coed and Bala · OS grid SH711130
Cadair Idris is the great mountain above Dolgellau in southern Snowdonia, with its summit Penygadair above the cliff-ringed lake of Llyn Cau.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path.
The Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path starts at about 37 m and gains 828 m over 8.7 km to 853 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 5%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 8 km, which climbs 132 m at an average of 13%, with a 500 m stretch from 6.9 km at about 17%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top.
Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path at a glance
| Distance | 8.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 870 m |
| Climb on the track | 828 m up, 11 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 24 m to 853 m (summit 893 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 17%, from 6.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 5% of the way |
| Time up | 3h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path, LL36 9TU |
| Start grid reference | SH 671 087 |
| Summit grid reference | SH711130 |
| Parking | Llanfihangel-y-Pennant village car park; the postcode is approximate |
Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 50 m | +13 m | 1% | SH 674 096 |
| 2 km | 135 m | +85 m | 9% | SH 675 105 |
| 3 km | 256 m | +121 m | 12% | SH 678 113 |
| 4 km | 324 m | +68 m | 7% | SH 677 122 |
| 5 km | 449 m | +125 m | 12% | SH 682 125 |
| 6 km | 530 m | +81 m | 8% | SH 689 132 |
| 7 km | 633 m | +103 m | 10% | SH 695 132 |
| 8 km | 766 m | +132 m | 13% | SH 704 130 |
| 8.7 km | 853 m | +87 m | 12% | SH 711 130 |
How long the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 4h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 55m | 6h 5m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:14. Start by 12:19 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:12. Start by 12:17 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Cadair Idris summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Cadair Idris right now. The main Cadair Idris page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Cadair Idris forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Cadair Idris
Cadair Idris is the great mountain above Dolgellau in southern Snowdonia, with its summit Penygadair above the cliff-ringed lake of Llyn Cau. More about Cadair Idris, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Cyfrwy (811 m), 0.8 km west
- Craig Cwm Amarch (792 m), 0.9 km south
- Mynydd Moel (863 m), 1.8 km north-east
Challenges that include Cadair Idris
More walks from Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge up Cyfrwy
- Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge up Craig-las
- Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge up Craig-y-llyn
Other routes up Cadair Idris
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pony Path from Ty Nant | 4.6 km one way | 740 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch | 4.6 km one way | 850 m | 2h 20m | Hard |
| Fox's Path via Llyn Gafr and Llyn y Gadair | 4.5 km one way | 740 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
| Minffordd via Mynydd Moel | 5.0 km one way | 860 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 671 087, the summit at SH711130), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path: questions and answers
How far is the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path?
The Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path is 8.7 km one way to the summit of Cadair Idris, with 870 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 17.4 km.
How long does the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path take?
About 3h 10m to the summit of Cadair Idris and 4h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 6h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path?
The steepest 500 m averages about 17%, starting 6.9 km from the start, and 5% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path climbs 828 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path?
The Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path starts from Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path (postcode LL36 9TU). The grid reference is SH 671 087. Llanfihangel-y-Pennant village car park; the postcode is approximate
Is the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Pony Path from Ty Nant.
What time should I start the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path today?
By 12:19 at the latest. Sunset on Cadair Idris today is 18:14, The Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path takes about 4h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.