Snowdonia Walking Weekend - Cadair Idris

Day 1

You are welcome to arrive at the hostel from 5pm, where your Large Outdoors host will be ready to greet you and help you settle in.

This evening is all about getting to know your fellow walkers, unloading from the stress of the week, and chatting about the weekend ahead. You might like to wander down to the welcoming pub in Ffestiniog for a pre-dinner drink.

Dinner will be served at the accommodation at 8pm.

Day 2

After breakfast and packing up your lunch for the day, we’ll head out. Today, we’re taking on the stunning Cadair Idris, so pack yourself plenty of snacks!

We’ll climb Cadair Idris via the Minffordd Path, which begins in beautiful woodland before rising and skirting the crags looking over the majestic Llyn Cau - one of the most picturesque lakes in Snowdonia!

After reaching the summit and admiring the views north over the rest of Snowdonia, we’ll head along the wide ridge to a second summit of Mynydd Moel, before descending back into the valley in a circuit that is easily one of the best mountain days in North Wales.

After our walk, there may be time to look round the ancient market town of Dolgellau, which boasts several excellent pubs and over 200 listed buildings.

Once back at the accommodation, the time is yours to shower, change, and then perhaps head down to the pub in Ffestiniog for a celebratory pint.

We'll be serving a feast of a dinner at around 7.30pm, when we'll also go over plans for the next day and then afterwards you can relax in the lounge.

Day 3

After breakfast and packing up, we’ll head out for a more leisurely day walk after yesterday’s challenging climb.

There are so many options available for great walks in the Snowdonia National Park that we’ll discuss what we’d like to see and achieve as a group.

Some of the options could include:

Moelwyn Mawr - We could head up into the plateau of the Moelwyns and summit Moelwyn Mawr, a hill that stands proud over the Vale of Ffestiniog. There is quite a bit of ascent on this walk but the hill is close to the road and the views over Tremadoc Bay and the Llyn Peninsula are breathtaking.

Vale of Ffestiniog - If the consensus is for a valley walk, there are plenty of options close to the hostel to walk through woodlands and alongside streams in the Vale of Ffestiniog where there are a number of waterfalls. Or we could head further down the valley to the estuary and take in some of the seaside villages in a walk that includes both woodland and the beach.

Other Options - For those not wanting to walk on Sunday, there is the nearby attraction of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, which you can tour through and find out about Wales' industrial past. Running down the valley is also the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway, a great way of seeing the hills and relaxing as the steam train takes you down to the coast and back.

After the walk we'll gather in a nearby pub for Sunday lunch at around 12:30pm and then aim to leave by 2pm to give people plenty of time to get back home.

The National Park of Snowdonia is far bigger than Snowdon itself, and stretches far to the south to include several more mountain ranges, including the Moelwyns, Rhinogs, Arans, and of course the stunning massif of Cadair Idris. This is an area of vast forests and pathless miles of moorland, where the great valleys of the Dwyryd, Mawddach and Dysynni form wide expanses of sand as the rivers drain the land into the Irish Sea.

Southern Snowdonia is just as famous for its coast as for its hills, and the many miles of beaches and coastal towns make for excellent walking when the hills are wreathed in cloud. Further inland, good paths make discovering new places easy for curious walkers eager to get off the beaten track, with plenty of waterfalls, rocky peaks and sheltered woodlands to explore.

You’ll stay at Treks Bunkhouse for this Cadair Idris Walking Weekend, located 900 feet above sea level in the majestic Moelwyn mountains near the village of Ffestiniog. It’s a retreat at the heart of the Snowdonia walking scene, with fantastic facilities, cosy lounge and dining areas, and breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains.

Please make sure you bring a towel and toiletries, but towel hire is available from the accommodation should you forget.

Included:

• 2 days of walking in the stunning Snowdonia National Park, including a walk to the top of Cadair Idris, led by a professional, qualified guide.

• 2 nights hostel accommodation in Treks Bunkhouse.

• A lovely home-cooked welcome meal on Friday night and evening meal on Saturday night. Soft drinks will be provided and you’re welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks.

• Continental-style breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

• A packed lunch for Saturday’s walk.

• A Large Outdoors host to welcome you and organise the weekend’s walking.

• Pre-weekend support from the Large Outdoors admin team.

Not included:

• Travel to and from the venue.

• Any alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring a bottle!

• Any food or drinks purchased at pubs we may visit.

• Any excursions or extra activities that incur a cost.

• What level of fitness is needed?

  This trip is rated ‘Challenge’. There is a fair amount of steep ascent and descent on the Cadair Idris walk, though it will be manageable for those with a good level of fitness and confidence walking up and down steps and slopes.

• Can I attend on my own?

  Absolutely! In fact, the majority of our attendees are solo travellers.

• When should I arrive?

  You are welcome to arrive from 5pm onwards on Friday evening. Your host will be at the venue ready to greet you, and dinner will be served at 8pm. If you intend to arrive after 10pm, please let us know.

• I’d prefer vegetarian or vegan meals - can this be arranged?

  Yes, absolutely! We will always supply a vegetarian or vegan meal, but please note this must be requested well ahead of the trip - the remote location of our accommodation means we can’t pop out to buy additional ingredients. Complete the dietary section during the booking process and if your dietary needs change ahead of the trip please email the office and we’ll update your booking.

• I’d prefer gluten-free meals - can this be arranged?

  We will provide meals using gluten-free ingredients, but due to the shared nature of the kitchen we cannot provide strictly gluten-free meals. Please let us know you’d like gluten-free ingredients ahead of time by completing the dietary section during the booking process.

• I am allergic to a specific ingredient - can you provide meals for me?

  Due to the shared nature of the kitchen we are unable to provide meals suitable for those suffering from many allergies. Please contact the office before booking to discuss your requirements.

• What transport is provided during this trip

  We do not provide transportation during this trip.

• Can I bring my dog?

  Dogs are not allowed on this trip, except for registered assistance dogs.