All walks › Eryri: Cadair Idris and the Mawddach
Eryri: Cadair Idris and the MawddachCregennan Lakes
Two lakes on a shelf high above the Mawddach, with Cadair Idris rising directly behind and the view that turns up on half the postcards in Meirionnydd.
- Distance
- 2.5 mi / 4 km
- Time
- 1 hr 20
- Ascent
- 110 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Shape
- Circular
Where it is
The circle shows the general area, not the exact start. Use the directions link below to get to the car park itself. Contours and paths shown are OpenTopoMap, drawn from OpenStreetMap data.
The route
Paths circle the lakes and climb a little onto the open ground behind for the wider view. Short and easy going, though wet in places.
Worth knowing
- The single-track road up from Arthog is steep with passing places. Take it slowly.
- A Dark Sky Discovery Site; on a clear moonless night this is one of the best places in Wales to look up.
- The ground between the lakes is boggy after rain even though the walking is easy.
What you’ll see
Both lakes, Cadair Idris behind them, and the Mawddach estuary below to the north.
Background
The land was given to the National Trust in 1959 as a memorial to two brothers killed in the world wars. Bronze Age standing stones sit near the lakes.