A difficult route in South Snowdonia. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: Car park (SH 731 115)
Terrain: Clearly marked path winding left, café, Minffordd Path rising fairly steadily through woods, open air, climbing steadily around to Llyn Cau, path still good but climb gets steeper through crags, steep descent into bwlch (losing ~100m), climb through crags following cairns, Cambrian Way (good clear path), stile, retrace to stile, long steep descent following fence and wall, gate, good clear path, footbridge, through woods
This is an outstanding circular walk taking in Cadair Idris via the classic Minffordd Path, bagging two Hewitts along the way. The clearly marked path winds left past the café - remember to take money for a potential return stop - before turning right onto the Minffordd Path that rises fairly steadily through woods and into open air. At SH 727 120, the path continues left where the return route will later rejoin, climbing steadily around to Llyn Cau where stunning ridge views stretch from Craig Cwm Amarch to the bwlch to Cadair Idris, with paths down to the lake for those fancying a dip. The Minffordd Path continues left with path quality remaining good despite steepening climbs through crags to Craig Cwm Amarch Hewitt, offering amazing views down to Llyn Cau, across to Cadair Idris, and across the Arans. A steep descent into the bwlch loses approximately 100 metres before climbing through crags and following cairns to the Cambrian Way, turning right to reach Cadair Idris's summit with amazing 360-degree views including Barmouth Bay and northern Snowdonia. The good clear Cambrian Way heads east to a stile before continuing to Mynydd Moel Hewitt, from where retracing to the stile and turning left begins the long steep descent following fence and wall. Turning right through the gate, the good clear path crosses a footbridge to rejoin the Minffordd Path, completing the circuit through woods past the café opportunity and back to the start. A classic Welsh mountain walk combining iconic Cadair Idris with two Hewitt summits and spectacular scenery throughout.