In our humble opinion, Cadair Idris (The Chair of Idris) is the finest of the famous Welsh 3 Peaks, eclipsing its siblings of Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Pen y Fan. Not least because, if you’ve already visited the other two, the first thing you notice is Cadair’s complete absence of crowds. Thanks to being much less well know, far fewer people make for its 893m summit. This make a visit to the most magnificent mountain in southern Eryri (Snowdonia) all the more magical.

  

Found just outside Dolgellau, Gwynedd, set in a National Nature Reserve, protected for its geology and habitats. Rare alpine flowers still grow on its slopes, a legacy of the last Ice Age. 

  

Our 10km route starts at the foot of the mountain in the Dol Idris Car Park and we take The Minffordd Path up, which is a scenic beauty! We meet the Cambrian Way and finally make a steep descend, after taking in the views from the summit of Mynydd Moel.

  

The trail offers a variety of terrain including a gorge, forest, rugged ridges, and a climb to the summit overlooking Llyn Cau (lake). Beautiful landscape all the way, with huge views, taking in the whole sweep of Cardigan bay on a good day. This trip really is a beautiful escape from the crowds; a more peaceful visit for the real hiking connoisseur. 

 

Cadair is surrounded by legend. Its name means Chair of Idris, the giant. Llyn Cau, the lake in the centre of the horseshoe, is said to be bottomless. While spending a whole night on Cadair's summit is told to leave you coming home either mad or with the eloquence of a poet...

Saturday Details:

Walk Distance: 10km
 
Hike Ascent: 1,000m
 
Start Point: 

• Dol Idris Car Park, Tywyn, LL36 9A
• £6 for the day
• Put the whole address into Google maps, not just the postcode

Start Time: 10am

Duration: 5+hours

 

Leader: Andrew meet our leaders

 

 

 

On our second day of this trip, we take in a 10km circular walk, visiting both the top and bottom of magnificent Pistyll Rhaeadr Falls, the tallest waterfall in Wales, along with a stunning area of the beautiful Berwyn Mountains.

 

Meaning Spring of the Waterfall, Pistyll Rhaeadr at 240ft is an impressive three stage waterfall, one of the tallest in the UK with a total drop of almost 80m. As such, it is considered to be one of The Seven Wonders of Wales.

 

 

Review the Kit List below to help you decide what you need for your adventure. The walk will go ahead even in strong wind/rain and only cancelled if conditions become what we consider too dangerous. Therefore, it is essential to be properly equipped! Tried and tested clothing only - don't want to find out something rubs once you've started the challenge and it's too late to change! 

• Rucksack - min 25 litres with cover.
• Walking boots; broken in; NO trainers
• Double layer walking socks.
• Waterproof jacket & trousers.
• Base layer top – breathable.
• Warm fleece and spare fleece.
• Walking trousers - NO jeans!
• Multiple thin tops allowing temperature changes.
• Post-challenge clothes.
• 3 litres of fluid per peak.
• Basic First Aid kit & Sun cream.
• Warm gloves, hat/balaclava.
• Head torch with spare batteries.
• Whistle for sounding the alarm.
• Toiletries, towel.
• Mobile phone & waterproof case
• FULL LIST HERE

  

Fitness:

We have lots of other walks coming up that are great for training. They also provide an opportunity to ask questions about your upcoming challenge and meet other members of the team. So please browse our website www.getoutdoorsuk.org and come join us soon! We're adding new dates all the time. Taking part in build up events is also a great excuse to push your fundraising page if you are supporting a charity and update supporters about your challenge journey via social media, etc.

If you aren't able to join us for a walk, then great places to train with decent inclines include: The Lake District with 214 Wainwrights; The Dark Peak District with Mam Tor, the Great Ridge and Kinder Scout; the Brecon Beacons & Black Mountains with Pen y Fan and Sugar Loaf Mountains. There's also the Malvern Hills, Chiltern Hills and Cotswolds, which have lots of hilly walks. There may be other hilly area near you.

The level of training needed depends totally on where you're starting from. Completion is dependent on a mixture of fitness, stamina and determination.

As a rough guide we recommend vigorous exercise at least 3 times per week for as long as possible prior to the event. Walk briskly on the hilliest routes you can find, such that you are regularly out of breath. Improve your stamina by including a long weekly walk, building up to 15 miles or more. Improve your cardio by walking your shorter walks as fast as you can.

Jogging uphill is a really good way to replicate the cardiovascular strain needed for ascents.

Strength and condition exercise, such as weight training or Pilates are beneficial for working on your leg power and core strength.  

Finally and most importantly, make sure you take it easy during the last week running up to the event. It takes more than 7 days for muscles to recover, rebuild and benefit from any exercise you do. All top athletes do it - 'Tapering off' is your opportunity to exercise lightly and make sure you do not arrive with a build up of lactic acid in your legs that WILL slow you down during the challenge.

 

We only regret opportunities we don't take

 

Eryri/Snowdonia

Behold the sweeping valleys
Where the heathered slopes do lie, 
With rugged peaks that reach
Unto the ever-changing sky, 
Where Snowdon stands before me now
As clouds begin to break, 
Llanberis still the morning light
Now rests upon the lake.

 - by ANDREW BLAKEMORE

 

Future Walk Info:

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Join us for a hike in beautiful places like the Brecon Beacons, Cotswolds, Malverns, Chilterns, Peak District, Oxford...

Perfect way to start your training for a challenge like the 3 Peaks or simply to get out into the countryside, while being sociable.

Please "Like" the Get Outdoors Facebook Group for even more updates!