You don't need to leave the UK to experience views that rival tropical destinations. The more I travel around the UK, the more I am in awe of its natural beauty, which seems to be overlooked by many keen travellers. This particular spot feels like a real slice of paradise. You can immerse yourself in the brightest hues of green and walk along waterfalls in the north of Wales without hopping on a plane.
While Snowdonia National Park is no secret to avid hikers, cyclists, and explorers, it was my first time visiting, and this specific route blew me away. Cadair Idris, an 893-metre mountain in the southern part of the park, is renowned for its wild and rugged scenery. To me, its surroundings could belong in Peru or Southeast Asia, with tropical plants, waterfalls, and vibrant green grass.
But like any beautiful place in Wales, it reminded me exactly where I was when I spotted sheep dotted around its cliffs, even on the steepest parts. It looked as though the sheep could fall off the edge of the world, taking me with them, as I fought for hours against the growing pain in my shins with each step up to the peak.
The Route
I took the Minffordd Path route, described as the shortest yet steepest route to the mountain's summit, tackling a demanding 10 km walk. Overall, it takes up to four to five hours to complete, rewarding you with dramatic and captivating views of the national park's landscape.
The route begins at Dôl Idris car park and takes you past the Cadair Idris visitor centre, which quickly fills up. We were recommended to get there early in the morning to beat the pile-up and were thankful that we did. Setting off at around 8am meant we experienced the quietness of the route in all its natural wonder.
The path runs parallel to the stream that leads to Llyn Cau, the lake at the heart of the base of the mountain. Immediately, taking on these steep steps along the river, I felt like I could be abroad. The sun was shining, water was trickling down, and tropical plants grew around us. It felt as wild and wonderful as experiences I had in Thailand or hikes I've seen in Vietnam or Peru.
We continued out of the forest area into the open air, with nothing but pure greenery around us and the mountain standing proudly ahead. The second phase levels lightly as you enter a rocky amphitheatre with up-close views of the lake.
Pushing past slate and rocks, many of which are loose and difficult to navigate, this section and throughout the walk requires concentration and care with each step. A quick trip or fall could have you stumbling, which is why many hikers opt to go armed with sticks to help gain balance and push through.
By the time I made it to the top, the weather dramatically changed from sunny to high winds that were extremely cold. This can catch amateur hikers out, so it's best to go armed with windproof and waterproof layers. The real treat after that consistently steep hike is the flat walk along the edge of the entire mountain before reaching its penultimate peak. Seeing it all from a circular angle gave a treat at each point whenever I stopped to take a breath.
Wales is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to my explorations, and Cadair Idris was no exception. If you're willing to take on the circular route and the challenge of its steep and unsteady ground, you will be rewarded with a touch of paradise and views you'll continue to daydream about.
