If you read my blog regularly, you'll know most of my walking is in the (flattish!)Midlands, but I'd always wanted to climb Welsh peak Cadair Idris. It's tough, but possible even if you are inexperienced - as long as you are sensible.
Here's the story of how we did it - and how you too could find yourself on the summit ridge
We parked at Ty Nant car park, on a minor road out of Dolgellau. Daily charge £5. It was out of order, but would have been well worth the money. Post code LL40 1TL
Even the car park is pretty.
We walked the Pony Path - the easiest summit route.
My daughter Ruth was keen to get moving
Cadair was invisible in the early morning mist but clear weather was forecast.
The path followed a stream
... then a wall.
Then open country, with wide views.
...which were soon extensive.
The mist, the Brenin Llwyd , or "breath of the Grey King", still lingered over the summit. (Centre of the picture). Cadair Idris means Chair/seat of Idris - or Arthur.
We got a first glimpse of the sea over towards Barmouth
A large stone on the path, taller than a person.
Ruth looks back down the steep, stony path.
The route was easy to follow but climbed continually - no flat bits at all.
Other paths join the Pony Path here.
Ahead, the summit, a steep climb along the edge of the cliff.
...but the views are beautiful
Llyn y Gadair, 1000 feet below the sheer cliffs
The path to the summit steepens still further: there are cairns to keep you on the route (and prevent an inadvertent cliff plunge)
The Lleyn peninsula just visible on the skyline. The cliff on the right is the one that towers above Llyn y Gadair
Ruth went ahead
I followed - somewhat windswept!
Better view of the lake from here
Final push to the summit.
Made it!
And so did Ruth
As we ate lunch, other people arrived, eating by the summit shelter.
If you sleep overnight on Cadair, you come down the mountain either a poet or a mad person, according to legend. We decided not to try.
Descending, we saw the second lake, Llyn Cau - said to be bottomless.
We returned by the same route. Those black bags are full of rocks and were dropped by helicopter, ready for path maintenance.
The stony path is quite tiring to walk in places. I fell over quite heavily on one point on the loose stones.
Back at the start,the mist had blown away.
The route: The Pony Path is 6 miles in total - 3 up, 3 back. The recommended time is 5.5 hours. We did it in 4.5 hours, but without Ruth I would have been slower. It climbs the whole way: there are no level sections. Almost all of it is on rocky paths (I had expected more grassy areas.) Make no mistake; it is a serious undertaking, with its 2400 of ascent. On the other hand, the path is well-walked and clear on the ground, although you need to keep an eye out near the summit and follow the cairns.
My tips: take plenty of food and drink. You might not need it, but best to be be prepared.
We also took spare trousers, jumpers and proper waterproofs, as well as jackets. You have to think: what if I got injured? Would I be warm enough waiting?
Take maps too. Don't rely on sat nav alone.
And we took a portable phone charger - but that's just us!
I found the path to be quite hard work, and would not have managed without my trekking pole: helps up steep steps, and great for downhill steps too (some of which were very large)
Would I do it again? Absolutely
And you might like to read "The Grey King" by Susan Cooper - an award-winning children's book set around Cader Idris, which makes great use of myths, legends and magic.
