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I can see plenty of options for out and back routes, does anyone one have any (local) knowledge of circular routes - staying in Dolgellau and don't mind a little bit of road if needed.
Have looked at the map, and can see a "path" called Penygadair that looks promising but you never know.....
There are a few footpaths from the north. I've never traversed them so can't comment. We went up from Abergynolwyn.. the standard way and it was a reasonable climb, not too bad or long like the climbs in the lakes.
I'm likely going up next week on my holiday if you'd like to join me..otherwise dead easy route to navigate.
otherwise dead easy route to navigate.
You just keep going up until there's no more up left..
Far from current knowledge of how things are these days, but I lived in Dolgellau for a few years in the mid 80s as a nipper and now I love road cycling I'd love to go back there...
If you take Cader Rd from the town square, it veers off to the left after ~0.1 miles going up the hill. Over the next ~1.8 miles you finish what used to be a lovely but narrow road cat3 climb to Gwernan Lake, which puts you pretty close to one of the popular trails to head up Idris proper.
After the Idris climb, you could drop into Fairbourne to see the beach, have a proper bite to eat and/or ice cream etc. before then following the Mawddach Trail back to Dolgellau along the river.
Hello Luke,check my Strava for a nice,mixed route around the foothills North of Idris and back along the Mawddach.( I think its the route nobodyofthegoat is describing)
Only one legit route up the Idris is from the West via the Pony Path (bridleway),looked pretty busy with walkers heading up on the hiking routes the other week .
If you haven't already also check out my strava for a decent route up and around Pont Scethin from Dolgellau side.
I walked up and down the pony trail at the beginning of the year. Definitely not a route for riding up (lots of steps at the very start so hike a bike). Some section might be too difficult on the way down (one or walking sections advised). Have rode Snowdonia which while very good fun the riding ban does make timing a pain
I think you must have gone up a different route to me at the start mattvanders ,no steps I know of there apart from the shallow rideableish (if I remember correctly) ones 2/3rds of the way up .Some of the boulder field up top will be a small push I reckon but fun on way back down .
Here's a video of the last time I was there .
The route with all the steps is the Minfford Path.
I did this one a few months ago, really good. Long climb, all rideable apart from the last 1km or so where you join the walking track. Last few feet is bike on the shoulders, worth it to get to the top.
Takes ages getting up, back down in 20 (very exciting) minutes.
Link:
http://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/north-wales-mtb-routes/cadair-idris/
