Minffordd via Mynydd Moel 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 via Mynydd Moel starts at about 106 m and gains 815 m over 5.0 km to 853 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 207 m (21%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 277 m at an average of 28%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.7 km at about 38%. The final kilometre eases to the top. About 41% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Minffordd via Mynydd Moel at a glance
| Distance | 5.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 860 m |
| Climb on the track | 815 m up, 70 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 105 m to 862 m (summit 893 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 38%, from 1.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 41% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, 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 via Mynydd Moel 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 via Mynydd Moel 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 via Mynydd Moel 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 | 313 m | +207 m | 21% steep | SH 727 121 |
| 2 km | 556 m | +243 m | 24% steep | SH 731 127 |
| 3 km | 832 m | +277 m | 28% steep | SH 728 135 |
| 4 km | 796 m | -37 m | -4% | SH 719 133 |
| 5 km | 853 m | +58 m | 6% | SH 711 130 |
How long Minffordd via Mynydd Moel takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 15m |
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 13:49 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:47 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m 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 |
| 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 |
| Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path | 8.7 km one way | 870 m | 3h 10m | 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 via Mynydd Moel: questions and answers
How far is Minffordd via Mynydd Moel?
Minffordd via Mynydd Moel is 5.0 km one way to the summit of Cadair Idris, with 860 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.0 km.
How long does Minffordd via Mynydd Moel take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Cadair Idris and 3h 25m 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 15m for the round trip.
How steep is Minffordd via Mynydd Moel?
The steepest 500 m averages about 38%, starting 1.7 km from the start, and 41% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Minffordd via Mynydd Moel climbs 815 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Minffordd via Mynydd Moel?
Minffordd via Mynydd Moel 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 via Mynydd Moel 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 via Mynydd Moel today?
By 13:49 at the latest. Sunset on Cadair Idris today is 18:14, Minffordd via Mynydd Moel takes about 3h 25m 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 via Mynydd Moel?
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.