CADAIR IDRIS via the MINFFORDD PATH | A Solo 7 Mile Circular Hike | Snowdonia National Park

Come along with me on a solo climb of Cadair Idris, the highest mountain in Southern Snowdonia, along this beautiful 7 mile circular hike via the Minffordd Path. The views from the 893m summit & all along the ridge were spectacular back to Llyn Cau & further across the National Park. I parked at the Dôl Idris' car park at the start of the Minffordd Path (it cost £6 for the day), and it took me just under 5 hours to complete the walk around the lake (including a 30 min nap on the way back down!).
As always, I hope you enjoy this video and thank you so much for watching!
If you have enjoyed this video, please give it a LIKE & SUBSCRIBE x
⤵ My Gear & Equipment
Short day hike backpack from Osprey
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Wool Headband
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Long day/multi-day hike backpack from Osprey
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Light breathable waterproof jacket from Berghaus
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Light hiking waterproof jacket from Columbia
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Hydro flask bottle for hot/cold drinks
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Filter water bottle for camping/multi-day hikes
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Vlogging camera
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Wide angle lens for camera
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✨ Check out the rest of this hiking series in the Wales Hiking playlist below
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#hiking #snowdonia #snowdonianationalpark

[@stibblebar]

Beautiful video. The last time I stood by Llyn cau was in 1967 when I was only 15 years old. Memories. Thank you.

[@shefreelyroams]

Oh it’s such a beautiful Llyn, glad you’ve had the chance to visit and have fond memories of the place 😊 thanks for watching, pleased you enjoyed the video 🫶🏻

[@RichardDavies-lg9yt]

WOW! 😍 An absolutely gorgeous video - presented in a very gentle manner with gentle music, and dramatic scenery. I have driven to North Wales and back, from my home in Swansea, a few times over the years - using the two Cadair Idris roads - and been treated to some wonderful views, but nothing like what your video has shown. Thank you… Diolch.

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you Richard! Really lovely to hear you enjoyed the video 😊 it’s a beautiful place and you’re absolutely right, the drive from the south to Dolgellau is spectacular!

[@RichardDavies-lg9yt]

@shefreelyroams As beautiful as the drive is, your video has shown me how much more beautiful it is to walk 😍 But I don’t have the confidence to tackle it myself, for fear of losing my way 😬

[@shefreelyroams]

@@RichardDavies-lg9yt I’d definitely recommend doing the walk if you can as it’s not challenging in terms of navigation and it can always be done with others if you’re worried about getting lost 🤷🏼‍♀️😊 even if you decide to just walk to the llyn and back, so beautiful!

[@RichardDavies-lg9yt]

@@shefreelyroams I don’t have the confidence to attempt it 😞 Anything involving the sea, though, and I have no fear (since being a child) but getting lost in the bleak outdoors; I’m afraid I’m a bit of a baby 😂

[@shefreelyroams]

@@RichardDavies-lg9yt no problem at all, do what you enjoy at the end of the day and what you feel comfortable doing 😊🙌🏻

[@dexontheloose]

Hi, new here, moving back to Wales where I grew up in December and keen to do ALL the trails and hikes. Your videos are very uplifting and inspiring 😍 maybe I’ll see you out there! Thanks, Sarah

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Sarah, really lovely to hear you’re the videos 🫶🏻 Wales is such a beautiful place for hiking so exciting that you’re moving back! Maybe we will bump into each other on the trail, who knows 😊

[@danwells3401]

Beautiful scenes as always Christine! Love watching these 🙂

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Dan 🤗 loved this walk! Happy to hear you’re still enjoying the videos 💛

[@juhakaaro9656]

Hi Christine! Nice video, great scenery!

[@shefreelyroams]

Hello 👋🏻 thank you, it’s a stunning area, one of my fave mountains in Wales! Pleased you enjoyed the video :)

[@wrens5825]

Another good video Thanks for sharing, great walk with wonderful scenery We enjoyed going up too !

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you 😊 I really enjoyed this one, such a beautiful route. Glad you enjoyed doing this one too!

[@belwynne1386]

I love the hike videos…like armchair hiking for me.

[@shefreelyroams]

Hi 👋🏻 pleased to hear you’re enjoying the videos and feel like you’re coming along with me :)

[@shanesworkshop922]

Beautiful place for a walk. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@shefreelyroams]

Such a beautiful place - thanks for tagging along Shane, pleased you enjoyed 😊

[@Truthbewithyou]

Another great video, thank you 🙏🏼 Your love of nature is infectious. Where you had your banana is stunning. Last year, i stayed 2 nights wildcamping in that exact spot, gorgeous 🙌🏻. Thanks again 🫶🏻

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you, lovely to hear you are enjoying the videos & that my love for the outdoors comes across in the videos! 😊 Oh wow that must have been a beautiful camp, definitely thought there were several spots on this circular that would have made stunning wild camping spots 🏕️

[@davidthomas3193]

Your excitement, joy and enthusiasm for your walks shines through in these wonderful videos. Another brilliant one, as ever, thanks again for sharing 😊👍

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you David - it makes me happy to hear my enthusiasm for hiking/outdoors comes across in the videos! Pleased you enjoyed this one too ☺️

[@davidthomas3193]

Yes i certainly enjoy them. I’m off the the lakes tomorrow, driving up from Kent. Really looking forward too it. My wife has already said she won’t be accompanying me on the circuit of Buttermere……… so hopefully lots of peace and quite. 😊🤣🤣👍

[@shefreelyroams]

@@davidthomas3193 very exciting, hope you enjoy the Lakes & the walk around Buttermere 😊 sounds like you’re set up for a nice, quiet solo adventure, enjoy!😂

[@runnerroy8201]

Wow, great video! I just subscribed 😊. I love the way you edit the video, stunning shots of nature and not to much talking. The way you share what you see makes me to go also up there! So thnx for sharing! Wich program do you use for editing? Kind regards, Roy (the Netherlands)

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you Roy, lovely to hear you enjoyed the video & editing 😊 I use Final Cut Pro. Have a lovely weekend, thanks for tagging along on this one 🫶🏻

[@johnsnook8506]

Another lovely video in a beautiful area and an enjoyable circular walk.

[@shefreelyroams]

Pleased you enjoyed this one too John 🫶🏻 I loved this circular route - really stunning walk!

[@morgsjoboo2247]

Beautiful scenery, thank you so much for sharing 😊

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you 💛 It’s a really beautiful circular route - can’t recommend it enough!

[@tonypilki3]

Beautiful scenery Christine. I first saw that walk in Trail magasine a while back and the pictures looked stunning. Its even better now Ive seen it on video. I do think Lakes and Tarns add massively to a nice walk and the perfect place to stop for refreshments. Thankyou 🙂

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank Tony - I really enjoyed this hike, can't recommend it enough & as you say pictures almost don't do it justice! Definitely agree, love a body of water to stop & reflect on a walk - thanks again for tagging along on this one, pleased you enjoyed 🙂

[@hikesome]

Wow, simply looks incredible out there. Amazing spots and wonderful shots. And those views are insane. Fantastic work

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Mario 😊 I loved this hike, incredible views throughout!

[@WyeExplorer]

Fantastic hike Christine. When I visit Pumlumon I can see Cadair Idris from there. I've been meaning to walk it myself and I have found this video encouraging. I must find time. Incredible views. As you say you can't rush a walk like this especially on such a fine day. Good going. Mark

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you Mark - can't recommend this circular route enough, stunning scenery throughout. Hope you can manage to make the hike up to there one day, definitely think the Minffordd Path is the best trail if you've got the time. I couldn't believe how many people were hiking up on the Pony Path! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@WyeExplorer]

@@shefreelyroams A pleasure Christine. Recommendation noted. A pleasure to watch.

[@richardsherburn4816]

These lovely videos have a charm all of their own 🙂

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Richard - pleased you enjoyed the video 🫶🏻

[@ervinslens]

Shots, editing, sound everything here just cohesively turned this into an amazing video. Bravo my friend! 🔥🔥

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Ervin 🙌🏻💛 loved editing this one, such an awesome day out in the mountains!

[@colingreenwood231]

This route is in my top 10 walks.

[@shefreelyroams]

Definitely, it’s a brilliant route!

[@matts_hiking_adventures]

You always find the best days and views for your hikes! Your videos are great keep it up!

[@shefreelyroams]

It almost seems that I’m a fair weather hiker doesn’t it?! I’m not!! But thanks Matt, so lovely to hear you’re enjoying them 🫶🏻

[@matts_hiking_adventures]

@shefreelyroams your just lucky to choose the right day for it. I've only started hiking just over a month ago and I haven't had any bad weather just yet and I'm limited to two days a week due to having a full-time job.

[@shefreelyroams]

@@matts_hiking_adventures aw you’ve been lucky with the weather too then, nice to hear! And same here sadly, work full time but most of my holidays are fairly outdoors so get some time for hiking then too! Thanks again for reaching out, lovely to hear you’re enjoying the videos & getting out and about yourself Matt 🫶🏻

[@niclrig]

Hi. Thank you for sharing another beautiful adventure with us. I have two requests please. Firstly, a quick summary of where you park would be great. Secondly, a video on what you pack for a day hike would be really useful too. Thank you so much, Nicola :)

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you Nicola - pleased you enjoyed this one, thanks for tagging along & the video suggestions 🙂 I usually detail where I park in the video description (Dol Idris for this one) & will hopefully be able to share detailed route descriptions on a blog in the future so people can easily follow if they want! Good shout on the what I pack video, watch this space, will hopefully film that in the next few weeks 💚

[@niclrig]

Thank you so much 😊

[@chrishowie882]

What a phenomenal video thank you so very much - I always stay near Cadir and you have motivated me to climb it!! Is there much of a difference in routes? Absolutely gorgeous!!

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you Chris, lovely to hear you enjoyed this video 😊 oh very exciting, definitely recommend summiting it, the Minffordd Path is my favourite as gives the most variety and views, in terms of ease and popularity, the Pony path is probably the most accessible route and I haven’t done Llanfihangel y Pennant Path but hear it is very quiet in comparison to the other two. Hope that helps and you enjoy the walk when you do it 🫶🏻

[@chrishowie882]

@@shefreelyroams thank you so very much - this is incredibly useful information and your video has inspired me to copy your route if possible. I will do a fair bit of training as it looks like a fair scramble to the top! I am a ski tourer so will take my walking poles with me!! Really trying to plan for the good weather as well! Thanks so much for the feedback 👍😎🤩💗

[@BlueOrangeDesign]

Great vid…Off to do this one this weekend. Can’t wait

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you 😊 hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@A-K_Rambler]

Epic Day Hiking area...

[@thatunfitbloke]

Cadair is an awesome mountain. I've wildcamped at the summit a couple of times, going up the same way. My legs were doing an elvis impression by the time I got to the top. Another to try if you've not been before which is stunning and very quiet is CNICHT. Def worth a visit. All the best, new sub here Paul 😊

[@shefreelyroams]

It's a tough one for the lungs and legs this route up for sure! A wild camp sounds great fun, beautiful spot for it & yes, climbed Cnicht, another beautiful mountain in the park, as you say quite a bit quieter! And thank you Paul, pleased to hear you enjoyed the video 😊

[@jakesy2569]

Stunning views ❤️

[@shefreelyroams]

It’s such a beautiful walk!

[@tommotomlinson3370]

Wow, what a route with views !!! Fabulous 👌 Any chance you could let us know where you park and a quick OS summary on future videos please ? It would be a massive help for planning a day out 🙏😊

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Tommo ☺️ I loved this hike, incredible views throughout! Yes really good shout, I usually detail where I park in the description (parked in Dol Idris car park for this one) & I am hoping to share detailed route descriptions (including OS maps routes) once my blog is all set-up so watch this space... 👀

[@tommotomlinson3370]

@@shefreelyroams I'll look forward to that 😊 Great quality camera you have too 👌

[@chrisjarvis270]

Great video again 😊got to do this one, awesome photos to be had there 😎

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Chris 😊 definitely got to do this one, it's one of my favourite mountains in Wales - stunning views all the way along the Minffordd Path 🙌🏻

[@chrisjarvis270]

With luck I will be able to get back to Wales next month to give this a go 😃⛰️ thanks for the inspiration 😃⛰️

[@shefreelyroams]

@@chrisjarvis270 aw anytime - hope you enjoy your next visit ⛰🫶🏻

[@chrisjarvis270]

Thank you 😊⛰️

[@philipwilkins1841]

Love the vids, perhaps a sea walk along cliffs... just an idea... Great music ❤❤

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Phil, great idea - watch this space …🤗 & pleased you enjoy the music! 💛

[@andyswift9500]

did this in 1982 brings back lots of memories

[@shefreelyroams]

Aw nice to hear you’ve got fond memories too of this place - I imagine quite a bit quieter back then!

[@andyswift9500]

no sorry its late , back in the day before health and safety went mad ,lots of youth clubs and cubs ,guids etc would spend the whole day there@@shefreelyroams

[@shefreelyroams]

Very interesting, didn’t realise that! Different sort of crowd at the summit now then!

[@geroldsss]

Dear Christine, the list of my national parks in the UK is getting longer and longer 😄 The Peak District is still in 1st place for next year. What would you recommend for place 2? 🤔 Snowdonia or rather the Lakes? The view during your hike was beautiful. The lake also invited to swim 🏊🏻‍♂ Kind regards Gerold 👋🏻

[@shefreelyroams]

Haha there are honestly so many wonderful national parks to visit in the UK! The Peak District will be lovely & it's difficult to say which one in place 2 as both are so different, I'd probably say the Lakes if I had to choose as the variety of walks is greater plus it's my favourite national park in the UK so a little biased! Hope that helps, ideally you can visit all three at some point :)

[@emmalois94]

Amazing! We’re going on Monday! My head for heights isnt amazing and done Pony path before. But want to try the Minffordd Path and scared of the ridge bit? Is it really difficult on the head? Is it possible to do Pony Up and Minffordd down (i want to see the lake :) ) and park in the same place? Xx

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Emma - hope you enjoyed the hike this week & didn't find it too challenging heights wise? I didn't find the Minffordd path too bad and I am not the best on certain sheer ridges as no real exposed sections but I'm conscious everyone is different! 😊❤️

[@Solohikeruk]

Great video christine, we’ll done, don’t you just love being in the middle of nowwhere, keep them coming 👍🥾 my future videos are going to include the what3words at the start of my hike, car park etc… some people are not sure where to start these hikes , just something I will be doing, maybe might interest you,.

[@shefreelyroams]

Cheers Mark, thanks for watching & yes definitely, absolutely love it, favourite feeling on walks is being in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature ☺️ that's a really good shout, I try to include where I parked in the description but conscious not everyone reads the video description box so mentioning in future videos using what3words for example might be a really good idea, thank you!

[@charles-mr4oz]

You seem so lovely and you remind me of my daughters so I am going to see if I can persuade them to do the same walk with me.

[@shefreelyroams]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy this walk if you manage to go, it’s a beautiful circular 😊🫶🏻

[@charles-mr4oz]

@@shefreelyroams I went up on Friday thanks to your inspiration. It was a brilliant walk. I should have studied your video more closely but I assumed the route at the top would be obvious but in the clouds at the summit but it wasn't so I came down on the same route. I started out at 5.30am and didn't see a soul all the way up. The sun came out on the descent and it was magnificent.

[@shefreelyroams]

Amazing, so pleased to hear you enjoyed this walk & you were able to enjoy some lovely views on the descent in the sunshine! Definitely can be a little disorientating at the summit with all the rocks to know which way to descend so sensible decision 😊

[@R0BBS]

Why are you whispering?

[@shefreelyroams]

Didn't think I was!

[@KieCamps]

Just subscribed and followed on Instagram 👍🏻 great video

[@shefreelyroams]

Thanks Kieran - pleased you enjoyed the video 🫶