Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch 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 Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park.
Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch starts at about 105 m and gains 821 m over 4.6 km to 853 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 210 m (21%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 215 m at an average of 22%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.4 km at about 31%. It keeps climbing at 22% to the top. About 43% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 850 m |
| Climb on the track | 821 m up, 74 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 105 m to 853 m (summit 893 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 31%, from 0.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 43% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park, LL36 9AJ |
| Start grid reference | SH 731 115 |
| Summit grid reference | SH711130 |
| Parking | Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (SH732115); the postcode is approximate |
Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch 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
- Tŷ Te Cadair0.3 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.4 km
- Dôl Einion0.3 km
- Cwmrhwyddfor Campsite0.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch 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.
Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch 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 | 315 m | +210 m | 21% steep | SH 727 121 |
| 2 km | 454 m | +139 m | 14% | SH 720 123 |
| 3 km | 670 m | +215 m | 22% steep | SH 713 118 |
| 4 km | 712 m | +42 m | 4% | SH 708 125 |
| 4.6 km | 853 m | +141 m | 22% steep | SH 711 130 |
How long Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 0m |
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 13:59 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:57 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m 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 Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Minffordd direct path up Mynydd Moel
- Minffordd Path via Cwm Cau up Craig Cwm Amarch
- Minffordd via Mynydd Moel up Gau Graig
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 |
| Fox's Path via Llyn Gafr and Llyn y Gadair | 4.5 km one way | 740 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
| Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path | 8.7 km one way | 870 m | 3h 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 731 115, 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.
Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch: questions and answers
How far is Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch?
Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Cadair Idris, with 850 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Cadair Idris and 3h 15m 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 4h 0m for the round trip.
How steep is Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch?
The steepest 500 m averages about 31%, starting 0.4 km from the start, and 43% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch climbs 821 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch?
Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch starts from Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (postcode LL36 9AJ). The grid reference is SH 731 115. Dôl Idris / Minffordd Path car park (SH732115); the postcode is approximate
Is Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch 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 Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch today?
By 13:59 at the latest. Sunset on Cadair Idris today is 18:14, Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch takes about 3h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Minffordd Path via Craig Cwm Amarch?
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.