Cader Idris via Minffordd Path

Cadair Idris stands at 893 m at the southern end of Snowdonia, and the Minffordd Path is the shortest and most dramatic route to its summit. The walk begins from the Dol Idris car park, climbing steeply through ancient oak woodland above the Nant Cadair gorge before emerging into the high cwm that holds Llyn Cau, one of Wales's deepest glacial lakes, cradled in dark cliffs. From here the path ascends to Craig Cwm Amarch and on to the summit of Penygadair, completing a 9.6 km circular via Mynydd Moel on the return. The 788 m of elevation gain is relentless and makes this a serious mountain day.

This is a dog friendly walk only for confident, fit mountain dogs and experienced owners. The gorge section carries the cool, mossy smell of sheltered upland woodland, sharpening to raw mineral scent and thin mountain air as you climb above the treeline. Llyn Cau offers wild swimming for dogs willing to brave glacially cold water in a spectacular setting. Sheep are present on the approach and mountain flanks, requiring leads until the higher ground above the cwm is reached. The rocky ascent to Craig Cwm Amarch is steep and demands sure-footedness from both dog and owner: this is not a walk for dogs with joint issues or limited mountain experience. The summit panorama across Snowdonia and Cardigan Bay is the reward, and on clear days it justifies every metre of the climb.