Walk Cadair Idris (Penygadair) Cyfrwy and Craig Cwm Amarch from Llanfihangel-y-pennant
Less arduous but longer way up Idris's Chair
This 10½ mile, Grade 7 (Hard), easy-to-follow, hand-crafted walk, complete with GPS Waypoints, starts at Llanfihangel-y-pennant in Snowdonia & will take you about 7½ hrs to complete.
Detailed walk route map PDF | ||
Vital Statistics: | ||
| Walk No.: | gw123 | |
| Length: | 10½ miles (17km) | |
| Ascent: | 3627 ft (1105m) | |
| Time: | 7½ hours | |
| Grade: | ![]() | |
| Walk Type: | High Mountains | |
| Gear Needed: | Full mountain gear including boots, warm layers, waterproofs, food & water, and good weather | |
Route outline for this walk:
Llanfihangel-y-pennant - Afon Cadair - Tynyfach - Gwastadfryn - Hafotty Gwastaffryn - Rhiw Gwerdydd - The Pony Path - Cyfrwy - Cadair Idris (Penygadair) - Craig Cau - Craig Cwm Amarch - Mynydd Pencoed - Pencoed - Llanfihangel-y-pennant
Points of Interest/Notes on this walk:
In 1800, after saving for 6 years, Mary Jones walked the 25 miles from Llanfihangel-y-pennant to Bala to buy a copy of the recently translated Welsh Bible from Reverend Thomas Charles. So impressed was he by her dedication and devotion he went on to found the English and Foreign Language Bible Society in 1804.
The Fox's Path route up Cadair Idris (Penygadair) climbs through steep and loose scree. Whilst not technically difficult, it is not recommended in thick weather.
Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk:
![]() 3 Welsh Mountains |
![]() 0 Wainwrights |
![]() 3 Welsh Nuttalls |
![]() 0 Welsh Deweys |
![]() 0 Wainwright Outlying Fells |
![]() 1 Welsh Marilyn |
![]() 0 Bridgets |
Peak Bagging Statistics for this walk:
The highest point of this walk is Cadair Idris (Penygadair) at 892m (2929ft). Cadair Idris (Penygadair) is classified as a Welsh Mountain (Hewitt) (18th highest in Wales, 27th highest in England & Wales)
Cadair Idris (Penygadair) is also known as a Welsh Nuttall (20th highest in Wales, 32nd highest in England & Wales) and a Welsh Marilyn (9th highest in Wales, 247th highest in the UK).
The summit of Cadair Idris (Penygadair) is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.
Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Cyfrwy at 811m (2662ft). Cyfrwy is classified as a Welsh Mountain (Hewitt) (31st highest in Wales, 68th highest in England & Wales)
Cyfrwy is also known as a Welsh Nuttall (39th highest in Wales, 82nd highest in England & Wales).
You will also reach the summit of Craig Cwm Amarch at 791m (2596ft). Craig Cwm Amarch is classified as a Welsh Mountain (Hewitt) (38th highest in Wales, 86th highest in England & Wales)
Craig Cwm Amarch is also known as a Welsh Nuttall (49th highest in Wales, 105th highest in England & Wales).
Be Adventure Smart
If walking in the Lake District (and anywhere else) please be adventure smart.
Ask yourself 5 questions before you set off:
- Am I confident I have the KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS for the day?
- Do I know what the WEATHER will be like?
- Do I have the right GEAR for the day?
- Do I have enough FOOD & DRINK for the day?
- Do I have all the ESSENTIAL ITEMS for the day?
Note that there is no mobile phone or WiFi coverage in many parts of the Lake District
A dedicated GPS Device can be a good navigational aid, but only if you know how to use it properly. See The Myths and Truths about GPS for Walking and Hiking
You can find this walk and other nearby walks on these unique Interactive Walk Planning Maps:
(worth a look if you're new to go4awalk.com & have never seen one of these before.)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (pink/magenta covers):
Some Photos and Pictures from Walk Cadair Idris (Penygadair) Cyfrwy and Craig Cwm Amarch from Llanfihangel-y-pennant
In no particular order . . .
The Minffordd Path where it crosses Craig Lwyd above Llyn Cau from Craig Cwm Amarch
. . . load all 105 pictures & photos from this walk
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