Pony Path from Ty Nant 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 long, steady path up the northern slopes to the ridge and along to the summit.
Pony Path from Ty Nant starts at about 161 m and gains 696 m over 4.6 km to 853 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 138 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 186 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.6 km at about 23%. It keeps climbing at 15% to the top. About 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Pony Path from Ty Nant at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 740 m |
| Climb on the track | 696 m up, 5 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 161 m to 853 m (summit 893 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 1.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 24% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path), LL40 1TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 697 152 |
| Summit grid reference | SH711130 |
| Parking | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path); the postcode is approximate |
Pony Path from Ty Nant 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 Pony Path from Ty Nant 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.
Pony Path from Ty Nant 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 | 299 m | +138 m | 14% | SH 696 144 |
| 2 km | 486 m | +186 m | 19% | SH 690 137 |
| 3 km | 654 m | +168 m | 17% | SH 697 131 |
| 4 km | 768 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 706 130 |
| 4.6 km | 853 m | +85 m | 15% | SH 711 130 |
How long Pony Path from Ty Nant takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 45m |
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 14:09 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:07 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m 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 Tŷ Nant car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Pony Path and Penygadair ridge up Mynydd Moel
- Pony Path and Penygadair up Craig Cwm Amarch
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Cyfrwy
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-las
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-y-llyn
Other routes up Cadair Idris
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 697 152, 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.
Pony Path from Ty Nant: questions and answers
How far is Pony Path from Ty Nant?
Pony Path from Ty Nant is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Cadair Idris, with 740 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does Pony Path from Ty Nant take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Cadair Idris and 3h 5m 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 3h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Pony Path from Ty Nant?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 1.6 km from the start, and 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Pony Path from Ty Nant climbs 696 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Pony Path from Ty Nant?
Pony Path from Ty Nant starts from Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (postcode LL40 1TN). The grid reference is SH 697 152. Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path); the postcode is approximate
Is Pony Path from Ty Nant suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Pony Path from Ty Nant today?
By 14:09 at the latest. Sunset on Cadair Idris today is 18:14, Pony Path from Ty Nant takes about 3h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Pony Path from Ty Nant?
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.