In the midst of the Welsh countryside sits a
mountain almost 3,000 feet in height.
The locals claim that the mountain is haunted,
and that anyone who spends the night on top of Cader Idris will wake up
either a madman or a poet. Different legends surround the large 'hill',
and one of the earliest claims that the giant Idris lived there. Three
large stones rest at the foot of the mountain, and legend says that Idris
got angry once and kicked them, sending them down the mountain.
Other Welsh legend states, however, that Arthur
made his kingdom there, hence the name Cader Idris: or the Seat of
Idris. No one really knows exactly how Cader Idris fits into all the
legends, but the mystical presence cannot be denied when standing on top
of the mountain, breathing the mist and watching the fog roll out from the
giant peak.
Latitude
52.7000
Longitude
-3.9000
Lat (DMS)
52° 42' 0N
Long (DMS)
3° 53' 60W
Click on images for a larger view....
There
are 3 peaks of Cader Idris - Pen y Gadair, Cyfrwy (the Saddle) and Tyrau Mawr
which together form a giant's chair. At the foot of the Cader peak is a vast
chasm filled with water that is the reputedly bottomless lake Llyn Cau. It is
worth spending some time at Cader Idris to watch the mists swirl in (even on a
sunny day)
Rough Guide...
The Pony path for anyone — Foxes path
for a little excitement — Idris Gates and
Minffordd path as an alternative and for the historical adventure the climb
via Cwrfry Arete
Visit the Walking Britain web site for more routes up Cader Idris and
other Snowdonia mountain ranges: