Cadair Idris is beautiful mountain in a part of Snowdonia we hadn't been before, far south of famous Mt Snowdon. It features an amazing high ridge-walk around a glacial lake.
The views were spectacular
View steep
JdeB
There was a mysterious rock garden
Guy takes in the stunning views
However the cloud up high rendered visibility very low and we were running out of daylight. It was a log way back, so we decided to head down.
Fortunately we found a really difficult route. We love a challenge... :)
Although it was far from challenging for the local residents...
Descent JdeB 3
Finally we reached the beautiful lake
Lake JdeB
The last light turned the hilltops pink and purple, as we hiked back down to the valley
And sometimes orange
The next morning the day gleamed bright and clear
We headed for north to Carneddau range, but had to stop, enspelled by this magical lake below Mt Snowdon
Llyn Gwynant 1
Llyn Gwynant 2
Finally we headed on to Llyn (Lake) Ogwen, with famous Mt Tryfan rising up to the left (south). We headed north, into the Carnedau range...
Where we encountered this cool mountain-biker
And even cooler Welsh mountain ponies
The views on this little-travelled route were spectacular
We found a fine spot for lunch
Lunch time views
Then it was onwards along this wonderful ridge
Y Braich ridge JdeB 4
Y Braich view JdeB 3
Heading down onto the ridge
Y Braich ridge view by Guy
Y Braich view 3
Far below were the stony ruins of an ancient mining settlement - one of many found throughout the Welsh mountains, complete with mysterious shafts and partially collapsed tunnels
We weren't completely alone out there. The Welsh mountains are also a mecca for climbers
Finally, we made it down onto the ridge
Crossing the ridge, far above a lake
Y Braich view GD
Next, it was up onto the main range of the Carneddau
We noticed these clouds rising from below
Black Ladders 2
It was amusing at first. But then the trail started to disappear...
Still amused...
Yr Elen GD
We found some really scary drops hundreds of metres down into the mist
And this awesome cliff-side trail
Yr Elen steep AK 2
Yr Elen steep AK 3
Yr Elen AK
